WDR87 interacts with CFAP47 protein in the middle piece of spermatozoa flagella to participate in sperm tail assembly.

Spermatogenesis is a complex process that includes spermatogonia self-renewal, spermatocyte meiosis and spermatozoa assembly. Recent studies have revealed that WD40-repeat domain-containing (WDR) proteins play important roles in spermatocyte division, spermatozoa flagella assembly and head shaping. In this study, we investigated the expression pattern of WDR87 and found that it was highly expressed in the testis of both humans and mice. Immunofluorescence staining revealed that mouse WDR87 was distributed in the perinuclear cytoplasm of primary spermatocytes, secondary spermatocytes and round spermatids. In the spermiogenesis stage, with extension of the nucleus, WDR87 migrated to the manchette and finally localized to the middle piece of the spermatozoa tail. Furthermore, we identified a cilia- and flagella-associated protein, CFAP47, which interacted with WDR87 in the flagellar midpiece of the spermatozoa, suggesting that WDR87 may be associated with multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella (MMAF). Subsequently, we screened gene mutations in seven MMAF individuals and found two novel mutations in CFAP47 (c.706G>A, Val236Met; c.1337C>T, Thr446Met) in one case. Immunoblotting and immunofluorescence revealed that CFAP47 was dramatically reduced in spermatozoa from the CFAP47-mutated man. Meanwhile, the expression of WDR87 was also significantly decreased, and weak signals were detected adjacent to the spermatozoa nuclei, indicating that CFAP47 was necessary for WDR87 transportation during spermatozoa flagella biogenesis. These data indicate that WDR87 is located in the middle piece of the sperm tail and interacts with CFAP47 to form a complex which is involved in spermatozoa tail assembly.

Astakine LvAST binds to the ß subunit of F1-ATP synthase and likely plays a role in white shrimp Litopeneaus vannamei defense against white spot syndrome virus.

Cytokines play a critical role in innate and adaptive immunity. Astakines represent a group of invertebrate cytokines that are related to vertebrate prokineticin and function in promoting hematopoiesis in crustaceans. We have identified an astakine from the white shrimp Litopeneaus vannamei and named it LvAST in a previous research. In the present research, we investigated the interactions among LvAST, the envelope protein VP37 of white spot syndrome virus (i.e., WSSV), and the ß subunit of F1-ATP synthase (ATPsyn-ß) of the white shrimp (i.e., BP53) using binding assays and co-precipitations. We also examined the effects of LvAST on shrimp susceptibility to WSSV. We found that LvAST and VP37 competitively bound to BP53, but did not bind to each other. Shrimps that had been injected with recombinant LvAST exhibited significantly lower mortality and longer survival time in experimental infections by WSSV. In contrast, shrimps whose LvAST gene expression had been inhibited by RNA interference showed significantly higher WSSV infection intensity and shorter survival time following viral challenges. These results suggested that LvAST and WSSV both likely use ATPsyn-ß as a receptor and LvAST plays a role in shrimp defense against WSSV infection. This represented the first research showing the involvement of astakines in host antiviral immunity.

[Expression and Clinical Significance of LINC00475 in Multiple Myeloma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relative expression level and clinical significance of LINC00475 in serum of patients with multiple myeloma (MM). METHODS: The expression of LINC00475 in serum of 108 MM patients and five MM cell lines including RPMI 8226, NCI-H929, U266, OPM2 and CAG were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. The diagnostic value of LINC00475 in MM was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The correlation of LINC00475 with patients' characteristics was analyzed. RESULTS: Compared with control groups, the expression of LINC00475 was up-regulated in serum of MM patients and MM cell lines (all P < 0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the optimal cut-off value of LINC00475 was 262.4, the area under curve (AUC) was 0.924(95%CI : 0.884-0.964), and sensitivity and specificity was 83.3% and 91.7%, respectively, which indicated that LINC00475 had good evaluation value in MM patients. Compared with low-LINC00475 expression group, patients in high-LINC00475 expression group had higher levels of ß2microglobulin (ß2-MG) and Cystatin C (Cys-C) but lower albumin (ALB) (all P < 0.05). Compared with MM patients with International Staging System (ISS) stage I, the expression level of LINC00475 was significantly higher in patients with stage II and III (both P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: LINC00475 is helpful to distinguish MM patients from healthy adults, which is correlated with the prognostic indicators such as ß2-MG, ALB, and ISS stage.

[Effect of potassium iodide on prevention of experimental lead nephropathy and expression of nuclear factor-kappaB and fibronectin].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of potassium iodide on the expression of nuclear factor-kappaB and fibronectin. METHODS: The experiment was performed with 72 SD rats weighing about 180-220 g. The animals were randomly assigned into nine groups. Group A, B, C (n=8) served as control and were fed with distilled water for 1 month, 2 month, 3 month respectively. Group D, E, F (n=8) served as lead exposed and were fed with water with 0.5% lead acetate for 1 month, 2 month, 3 month respectively. Group G, H, I (n=8) served as potassium iodide and lead exposed and were treated with 0.5% lead acetate simultaneously taking potassium iodide 3 mg/100 g weight by intragastric administration for 1 month, 2 month, 3 month respectively. Animals of different groups were sacrificed at the end of the treatment. Ultrastructure of kidney was observed by electron microscopy; Expression of NF-kappaB and FN protein and mRNA in kidney were measured respectively by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. RESULTS: Electron microscopic examination revealed potassium iodide could restrain the denaturalization in epithelial cells and mitochondrial cristae. The expressions of NF-kappaB protein (0.2315 +/- 0.0624, 0.3213 +/- 0.0740, 0.4729 +/- 0.0839) and mRNA (0.4370 +/- 0.0841, 0.5465 +/- 0.0503, 0.6443 +/- 0.0538) in all the lead exposed groups continuously increased compared with correspondent control groups; Group I was decreased obviously compared with group F. The expressions of FN protein (0.4243 +/- 0.0595, 0.4917 +/- 0.0891) and mRNA (0.8650 +/- 0.0880, 0.8714 +/- 0.0980) in group E and F increased compared with group B and C, but the expressions of FN protein in group I significantly decreased compared with group F; The expressions of FN mRNA in Group H and I significantly decreased compared with group E and F. CONCLUSION: The potassium iodide can ameliorate renal ultrastructure and degrade expression of nuclear factor-kappaB and fibronectin induced by lead.

Efficient peroxymonosulfate activation by Zn/Fe metal-organic framework-derived ZnO/Fe3 O4 @carbon spheres for the degradation of Acid Orange 7.

ZnO/Fe3 O4 @carbon spheres, which synthesized via a calcination process used Zn/Fe metal-organic frameworks (Zn/Fe-MOFs) as a precursor, were studied for the activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for the degradation of Acid Orange 7 (AO7). The ZnO/Fe3 O4 @carbon spheres exhibited relatively high catalytic degradation properties for AO7 in an aqueous solution. The AO7 degradation reached 93.6% in 15 min under the conditions: 0.20 g/L ZnO/Fe3 O4 @carbon spheres, 1.25 mmol/L PMS, 0.03 mmol/L AO7, and initial pH of 4. Findings revealed that higher ZnO/Fe3 O4 @carbon spheres dose and PMS concentration, lower initial AO7 concentration, and acidic pH favored the AO7 degradation to a certain extent. The mechanisms for the activation of PMS by ZnO/Fe3 O4 @carbon spheres were proposed based on the results of radical identification tests and structure characterization. Both radical and nonradical pathways contribute to the AO7 degradation in this system. PRACTITIONER POINTS: PMS + ZnO/Fe3 O4 @carbon spheres system can effectively catalyze PMS to decompose AO7. Both radical and nonradical pathways contribute to the degradation of AO7 in this system. The acidic condition was favorable for the activation of PMS.

[Low molecular weight oxidation by-products produced during catalytic ozonation with ferric hydroxide of NOM fractions isolated from filtrated water].

Natural organic matter (NOM) in a filtered river water from a water treatment plant was isolated and fractionated into six types of fractions. The aim of the work is to investigate the formation of the low molecular weight (LMW) oxidation by-products (i.e. aldehydes, ketones and ketoacids) after ferric hydroxide-catalyzed ozonation of individual NOM fractions. Results showed that catalytic ozonation could improve the reduction of the dissolved organic matter (DOC) and specific UV absorbance (SUVA) at 254 nm compared with ozonation alone. However, catalytic ozonation with ferric hydroxide could not produce less LMW oxidation by-products than ozonation. Hydrophobic neutral (HON) produced much higher yields of the LMW oxidation by-products than other fractions both during catalytic ozonation and ozonation alone, while the basic NOM fractions formed relatively lower productions of these by-products. Like the case of ozonation alone, the predominant contributors for the yields of aldehydes and ketoacids formed in catalytic ozonation were formaldehyde and pyruvic acid, respectively. Among these NOM fractions, HON produced the highest yields of the formaldehyde and pyruvic acid after catalytic ozonation. The yield of formaldehyde from HON was up to 71.6% of the total aldehydes and ketones, and the pyruvic acid concentration of HON was 78.6 microg/mg after catalytic ozonation. In addition, NOM fractions became more biodegradable after catalytic ozonation, because the percent of total LMW by-products carbon in the final DOC after catalytic ozonation was higher than ozonation alone.

[Reducing bromate formation by catalyzed ozonation].

The yield of bromate formed in catalytic ozonation in the presence of metal oxides was studied with bromide bearing water. The effects of catalyst dose, bromide concentration, pH, and temperature on the formation of bromate during catalytic ozonation were also discussed. Lab scale experiments showed that catalytic ozonation could decrease 85.1% bromate formation by increasing cerium oxide dosage from 0 to 250 mg/L. Catalytic ozonation can decrease 69.2% , 83.5% and 15.2% bromate formation when bromide concentrations are 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/L respectively. The effect of bromide concentration on the reduction of bromate in the catalytic ozonation was not clear. The increase of pH showed negative effect on reducing bromate formation in the catalytic ozonation. Catalytic ozonation can decrease 43%-59% of bromate formation with the temperature in the range of 5-25 degrees C (bromide concentration was 1.5 mg/L). The variation of temperature in water had not significant influence on the inhibition of bromate formation in catalytic ozonation. The low bromate formation in catalytic ozonation was due to the inhibition of the reaction between molecular ozone and hypobromite by the catalyst. Since the inhibition of bromate formation in catalytic ozonation was weakened by the presence of sulfate, the function of the catalyst should be related to surface sites of the catalyst.

[Aldehydes, ketones, and ketoacids produced during ozonation of NOM fractions isolated from filtrated water].

Natural organic matter (NOM) in the filtrated surface water from a water treatment plant was isolated and fractionated into six types of fractions. These fractions were ozonated at typical ozone dose and reaction time. The yields of several small molecular ozonation by-products, such as, aldehydes, ketones and ketoacids, were monitored after ozonation of the individual NOM fractions. The results showed that formaldehyde and pyruvic acid had the maximal yields among the aldehydes and ketoacids, respectively. Hydrophobic neutral (HON) produced the most significant yield of the ozonation by-products with the specific yield of formaldehyde up to 70.58% of the specific yields and pyruvic acid being 103.2 microg/mg. The hydrophobic NOM fractions produced higher yields of these by-products than the hydrophilic fractions. For example, HON and hydrophobic acid (HOA) produced much higher yields of the ozonation by-products than other fractions. Aldehydes and ketones from HON and HOA and ketoacids from the two fractions accounted for 55.56% and 60% of the ozonation by-products from all the NOM, respectively. Lower production of these by-products was also observed for the basic fractions compared to the acidic and neutral ones. HON and HOA were more biodegradable after ozonation, because their ozonation by-products contributed much higher amount of DOC to the final DOC after ozonation.

[Impact of catalytic ozonation with ferric hydroxide on HAAs formation potential of a filtered surface water].

Formation potential of five haloacetic acids (HAA5FP) of a filtered surface water was studied after ozonation alone and catalytic ozonation with a ferric hydroxide (FeOOH). Factors studied were oxidation time, bromide, pH, bicarbonate alkalinity, and ozone dosages. The haloacetic acids detected were dichloroacetic acid (DCAA), trichloroacetic acid (TCAA), and dibromoacetic acid (DBAA) when bromide existed. The catalytic ozonation caused a reduction of HAA5FP of the non-bromide containing water for 9.5% - 18.3% compared to that of ozonation in 5-20 minutes. Incremental addition of bromide led to a much lower HAA5FP after catalytic ozonation than that after ozonation. HAA5FP of the water at neutral pH was higher than that at acidic and basic conditions. Catalytic ozonation showed a most advantageous potential in controlling HAA5FP over ozonation at neutral pH. The HAA5FP decreased as bicarbonate concentration increased, and the disparity between ozonation and catalytic ozonation was also reduced. The HAA5FP after catalytic ozonation was 11.2% to 28.0% lower than that after ozonation while the ratio of O3/TOC ranging from 0.45 to 1.43. The effect of catalytic ozonation on HAA5FP of the water is closely related to its enhanced generation of hydroxyl radicals in catalytic process.

[Control of THMs formation potential of filtered surface water with catalytic ozonation by ferric hydroxide].

Catalytic ozonation of a filtered surface water with ferric hydroxide (FeOOH) was compared with ozonation alone for trihalomathane formation potential (THMFP). Factors studied included bromide, pH, alkalinity, ratio of O3/TOC, reaction time, and dosage of FeOOH. THMFP of the water after catalytic ozonation was 30.5% lower than that after ozonation. High bromide concentration resulted in the predominance of brominated THMFP, at which condition the brominated THMFP after catalytic ozonation was 45%-65.5% of that after ozonation. The catalytic ozonation showed a significant advantage over ozonation in controlling THMFP of the water at the conditions applied in this experiment, i.e., at pH of 6.33-9.43, O3/TOC of 0.65-2.05, and reaction time of 2-20 min. High concentration of alkalinity decreased THMFP of the water after ozonation and catalytic ozonation. It also weakened the advantage of catalytic ozonation. There existed an optimal dosage of FeOOH in respect of controlling THMFP. The lower THMFP of the water after catalytic ozonation is caused by its higher TOC removal than ozonation, and the possible enhanced oxidation of some of the THM precursors by hydroxyl radicals generated in this process.