Chromosome-scale genome assembly and insights into the metabolome and gene regulation of leaf color transition in an important oak species, Quercus dentata.

Quercus dentata Thunb., a dominant forest tree species in northern China, has significant ecological and ornamental value due to its adaptability and beautiful autumn coloration, with color changes from green to yellow into red resulting from the autumnal shifts in leaf pigmentation. However, the key genes and molecular regulatory mechanisms for leaf color transition remain to be investigated. First, we presented a high-quality chromosome-scale assembly for Q. dentata. This 893.54 Mb sized genome (contig N50 = 4.21 Mb, scaffold N50 = 75.55 Mb; 2n = 24) harbors 31 584 protein-coding genes. Second, our metabolome analyses uncovered pelargonidin-3-O-glucoside, cyanidin-3-O-arabinoside, and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside as the main pigments involved in leaf color transition. Third, gene co-expression further identified the MYB-bHLH-WD40 (MBW) transcription activation complex as central to anthocyanin biosynthesis regulation. Notably, transcription factor (TF) QdNAC (QD08G038820) was highly co-expressed with this MBW complex and may regulate anthocyanin accumulation and chlorophyll degradation during leaf senescence through direct interaction with another TF, QdMYB (QD01G020890), as revealed by our further protein-protein and DNA-protein interaction assays. Our high-quality genome assembly, metabolome, and transcriptome resources further enrich Quercus genomics and will facilitate upcoming exploration of ornamental values and environmental adaptability in this important genus.

Analysis of research status and trends on marine benthic dinoflagellate toxins: A bibliometric study based on web of science database and VOSviewer.

Marine benthic dinoflagellate toxins, potent bioactive compounds with wide-ranging presence in marine ecosystems, have surged in response to global climate change and human activities, prompting an urgent and imperative inquiry. This study conducts an in-depth review of contemporary research concerning these toxins, employing meticulous bibliometric analysis. Leveraging a dataset of 736 relevant literatures sourced from the Web of Science (spanning from 2000 to May 2023), our analysis delves comprehensively into the scientific discourse surrounding these toxic compounds. Employing tools such as VOSviewer, co-citation analysis, co-occurrence analysis, and cluster analysis, our study yields nuanced insights into the intricate characteristics and trajectories of the field. The co-citation analysis underscores the pivotal role played by benthic and epiphytic dinoflagellates like Ostreopsis and Gambierdiscus in shaping prevailing research trends. Our study identifies four distinct research directions, encompassing the domains of ecology, toxicology, toxin production, and taxonomy. Moreover, it traces the evolutionary journey of research stages, marking the transition from a focus on taxonomy to an emphasis on unraveling molecular mechanisms. The culmination of our comprehensive analysis yields three pertinent research recommendations: a call for widescale global studies, the advancement of rapid toxin monitoring techniques, and a deeper exploration of the factors influencing toxin synthesis and toxicity. These findings provide invaluable insights to researchers grappling with the complex realm of harmful algal blooms and substantially enrich the understanding of this pivotal and pressing field.

Comparing the efficacy of low-load resistance exercise combined with blood flow restriction versus conventional-load resistance exercise in Chinese community-dwelling older people with sarcopenic obesity: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Sarcopenic obesity (SO) is characterised by decreased muscle mass, diminished muscle strength and/or reduced physical performance and a high percentage of body fat (PBF). Conventional-load resistance exercise (CRE) may be difficult for older people with SO owing to their declining physical functions. Low-load resistance exercise (LRE) combined with blood flow restriction (BFR; LRE-BFR) is a viable alternative to CRE for improving muscle mass and strength and potential exercise mode for managing SO. This study has two objectives: (1) to comprehensively evaluate the efficacy of CRE and LRE-BFR in improving body composition, muscle strength, physical performance, haematological parameters, cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and quality of life and (2) to compare the efficacy of CRE and LRE-BFR and explore their potential mechanisms. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This work is a 12-week assessor-blinded randomised clinical trial that will be conducted thrice a week. Sarcopenia will be defined using the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019, and obesity will be determined using the criteria developed by the World Health Organization. Community-dwelling older people aged ≥ 65 years will be screened as the participants using inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 33 participants will be randomised into a CRE group (n = 11), an LRE-BFR group (n = 11) and a control group that will be given only health education (n = 11). The primary outcomes will be knee extensor strength and PBF, and the secondary outcomes will be body composition, anthropometric measurements, muscle strength of upper limbs, physical performance, haematological parameters, CVD risk factors and quality of life. The outcomes will be measured at the baseline (week 0), end of the intervention (week 12) and follow up (week 24). All the collected data will be analysed following the intention-to-treat principle. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The Ethics Research Committee has approved this study (approval No. CMEC-2022-KT-51). Changes or developments in this study will be reported at www.chictr.org.cn . TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR2300067296 (3 January 2023).

Using laser Doppler flowmetry with wavelet analysis to study skin blood flow regulations after cupping therapy.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to use laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) with wavelet analysis to investigate skin blood flow control mechanisms in response to various intensities of cupping therapy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to assess skin blood flow control mechanism in response to cupping therapy using wavelet analysis of laser Doppler blood flow oscillations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve healthy participants were recruited for this repeated-measures study. Three different intensities of cupping therapy were applied using 3 cup sizes at 35, 40, and 45 mm (in diameter) with 300 mm Hg negative pressure for 5 minutes. LDF was used to measure skin blood flow (SBF) on the triceps before and after cupping therapy. Wavelet analysis was used to analyze the blood flow oscillations (BFO) to assess blood flow control mechanisms. RESULTS: The wavelet amplitudes of metabolic and cardiac controls after cupping therapy were higher than those before cupping therapy. For the metabolic control, the 45-mm cupping protocol (1.65 ± 0.09) was significantly higher than the 40-mm cupping protocol (1.40 ± 0.10, P < .05) and the 35-mm cupping protocol (1.35 ± 0.12, P < .05). No differences were showed in the cardiac control among the 35-mm (1.61 ± 0.20), 40-mm (1.64 ± 0.24), and 45-mm (1.27 ± 0.25) cupping protocols. CONCLUSION: The metabolic and cardiac controls significantly contributed to the increase in SBF after cupping therapy. Different intensities of cupping therapy caused different responses within the metabolic control and not the cardiac control.

Downregulated lincRNA HOTAIR expression in ovarian cancer stem cells decreases its tumorgeniesis and metastasis by inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence indicates that dysregulated long intervening non-coding RNA (lincRNA) HOTAIR correlates highly with tumor invasion and metastasis but a link between the high expression of HOTAIR and the metastatic cascade of cancer stem cells (CSCs) needs to be further studied. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of down-regulated HOTAIR expression on tumorgeniesis and metastasis of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) CSCs. CD117(+)CD44(+)CSCs were isolated from human EOC SKOV3 cell line by using a magnetic-activated cell sorting system, and were then transfected with the expression vector-based small hairpin RNA targeting HOTAIR; the stably transfected cells were selected for the study. Colony-forming, wound-healing, cellular metastasis and tumorigenicity assays were performed. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that the HOTAIR expression in clinical EOC tissues and SKOV3 CD117(+)CD44(+)CSCs was higher than in SKOV3 tumor tissues and non-CD117(+)CD44(+)CSCs. The CD117(+)CD44(+)-shHOTAIR showed an inhibited HOTAIR expression, reduced cell migration and invasion than CD117(+)CD44(+)- scramble, suggesting the inhibition of an epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Moreover, the downregulated HOTAIR expression in CD117(+)CD44(+) CSCs significantly decreased the tumor growth and lung metastasis in xenograft mice. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrated the shHOTAIR-mediated down-regulation of the HOTAIR expression in CD117(+)CD44(+) CSCs can be a promising new opportunity for future clinical trials.

[Establishment and evaluation of a novel mouse model of orthotopic colon cancer in the mesenteric triangle of the cecum].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility of preparation of a mouse model of orthotopic colon cancer by injecting tumor cell suspension into mesenteric triangle of the cecum. METHODS: Twenty SPF 8-week old BALB/c mice (male:female = 1:1) were used in this study. The mouse caecum was exposed by laparostomy, and suspension of mouse colon adenocarcinoma CT26. WT cells was injected into the mesenteric triangle of cecum for preparation of a mouse model of orthotopic colon cancer. RESULTS: Mouse orthotopic colon cancer was developed by injection of tumor cell suspension into mesenteric triangle of the cecum showing a successful rate of 100%, without intestinal obstruction, and the liver, spleen, diaphragm and mesenteric lymph nodes metastasis rates were high in all the 20 experimental mice. CONCLUSIONS: The establishment of mouse models of orthotopic colon cancer by injection of tumor cell suspension into the mesenteric triangle is a simple, rapid, and easy to master procedure, causing less damage to the colon wall, safe and with less trauma to the mice. This method may provide an ideal mouse model of orthotopic colon cancer for the study of pathogenesis as well as liver metastasis mechanisms of colon cancer.

Regulation gene expression of miR200c and ZEB1 positively enhances effect of tumor vaccine B16F10/GPI-IL-21 on inhibition of melanoma growth and metastasis.

BACKGROUND: Genetically modified cells have been shown to be one of the most effective tumor vaccine strategies. However, in many cases, such as in melanoma, induction of a potent immune responses against the disease still remains a major challenge. Thus, novel strategies to reinforce tumor vaccine efficacy are needed. Using microRNA (miR) and Zinc-finger E-box binding homeobox (ZEB) have received much attention for potentially regulating tumor progression. To elicit a potent antitumor efficacy against melanoma, we used tumor vaccine in combination with miR200c overexpression or ZEB1 knockdown to assess the efficacy of treatment of murine melanoma. METHODS: B16F10 cell vaccine expressing interleukin 21 (IL-21) in the glycosylpho- sphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored form (B16F10/GPI-IL-21) were developed. The vaccine was immunized into mice challenged by B16F10 cells or B16F10 cells stably transduced with lentiviral-miR200c (B16F10/miR200c) or transfected with the ZEB1-shRNA recombinant (B16F10/shZEB1) or the B16F10/GPI-IL-21 vaccine. The immune responses, tumorigenicity and lung metastasis in mice were evaluated, respectively. RESULTS: The vaccination with B16F10/GPI-IL-21 markedly increased the serum cytokine levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-4 and decreased TGF-ß level as well as augmented the cytotoxicity of splenocytes in immunized mice compared with control mice. In addition, the tumor vaccine B16F10/GPI-IL-21 significantly inhibited the tumor growth and reduced counts of lung metastases in mice challenged by B16F10/GPI-IL-21, B16F10/shZEB1 and B16F10/miR200c respectively compared with the control mice challenged by B16F10 cells. The efficacy mechanisms may involve in reinforcing immune responses, increasing expression of miR200c, E-cadherin and SMAD-7 and decreasing expression of TGF-ß, ZEB1, Vimentin and N-cadherin in tumor tissues from the immunized mice. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the tumor vaccine B16F10/GPI-IL-21 in combination with miR200c overexpression or ZEB1 knockdown effectively inhibited melanoma growth and metastasis a murine model. Such a strategy may, therefore, be used for the clinical trials.

Effect of downregulation of ZEB1 on vimentin expression, tumour migration and tumourigenicity of melanoma B16F10 cells and CSCs.

Zinc-finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) is a master regulator of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and has been implicated in primary epithelial cancer biological processes, such as invasion and metastasis. However, the role of ZEB1 in progression of melanoma and cancer stem cells (CSCs) remains obscure. In this study, the recombinant plasmids of t3 shRNAs targeting mouse ZEB1 were constructed and transfected into melanoma B16F10 cells. The stable transfected cells were selected and the characteristics of ZEB1 downregulated B16F10 cells was assessed. The tumourigenicity of CD44(+) CD133(+) CSCs isolated from B16F10 cells stably transfected with the ZEB1-shRNA2 recombinant was also assessed. ZEB1-shRNAs B16F10 showed a lower expression of ZEB1 and vimentin, weaker migration, invasiveness, colony forming, and proliferation, and a lower tumourigenicity than the control cells. The tumourigenicity of the ZEB1-shRNA2 CD44(+) CD133(+) CSCs was also inhibited. In conclusion, ZEB1-shRNA2-mediated downregulation of ZEB1 expression in B16F10 cells and CSCs is involved in the inhibition of the EMT process. ZEB1 may be a potential target in melanoma targeted.

[Preliminary study of the inhibitory effect and mechanism of B16F10-ESAT-6-gpi/IL-21 vaccine on the pulmonary metastasis in mouse models of melanoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect and mechanism of B16F10-ESAT-6-gpi/IL-21 tumor cell vaccine on pulmonary metastasis in mouse model of melanoma. METHODS: Twelve 8-week old female C57BL/6 mice were used in this study. The mice were injected with wild-type B16F10 cells through tail vein after immunization with B16F10-ESAT-6-gpi/IL-21 tumor cell vaccine, and the pulmonary metastasis was observed. The CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells were isolated by magnetic activated cell sorting, and then used for the detection of CFSE/7-AAD cytotoxicity by flow cytometry. Serum from the mice immunized with tumor-cell vaccine was used to detect IFN-γ expression by ELISA. The expression of TGF-ß2, ZEB1, E-cadherin, and N-cadherin of tumor tissues was detected by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence, respectively. RESULTS: The mice vaccinated with B16F10-ESAT-6-gpi/IL-21 had significantly fewer nodules in the lung and lower lung weight [(285.8 ± 19.01) mg vs. (406.3 ± 27.12) mg], with lower levels of TGF-ß2, ZEB1 and N-cadherin proteins but higher level of E-cadherin protein within the tumor tissue, as compared with the control mice. Meanwhile, the immunized mice had significantly increased CD8(+) T cell killing activity [(42.62 ± 3.465)% vs. (22.29 ± 1.804)%] and IFN-γ expression level [(55.200 ± 7.173) pg/ml vs. (6.435 ± 1.339) pg/ml] over the control mice. CONCLUSIONS: The B16F10-ESAT-6-gpi/IL-21 vaccine can inhibit the metastasis of melanoma in the lung in vaccinated melanoma-bearing mice. This inhibitory effect is associated with CD8(+) T cell immune response and a higher level of IFN-γ, which may influence on the mesenchymal-epithelial transition of tumor cells.

Gender Differences in the Association Between Sarcopenia and Depressive Symptoms Among Community-Dwelling Older People in a Chinese Suburban Area.

Introduction: Sarcopenia and depressive symptoms are common disorders in older people; however, there is lacking for studies focus on the association between sarcopenia and depressive symptoms by gender. Thus, we investigate gender differences in the association between sarcopenia and depressive symptoms. Methods: 1119 participants aged ≥65 were included in our study. Sarcopenia was defined as no sarcopenia, possible sarcopenia, general sarcopenia, and severe sarcopenia by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 consensus. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the Geriatric Depression Scale-15. The logistic regression analysis was used to identify the association between sarcopenia and depressive symptoms. Results: No sarcopenia and severe sarcopenia were significantly inversely and positively associated with depressive symptoms only in women. In men, low appendicular skeletal muscle mass index was significantly inversely associated with depressive symptoms. In women, low gait speed was significantly inversely associated with depressive symptoms, while poor 5-time chair stand test was significantly positively associated with depressive symptoms. Conclusion: Our study found that sarcopenia and its diagnostic elements were significantly associated with depressive symptoms in men or women. Interventions for muscle mass and physical performance are necessary for sarcopenia to prevent the development of depressive symptoms timely.

DRD1-Pol V-dependent self-silencing of an exogenous silencer restricts the non-cell autonomous silencing of an endogenous target gene.

In plants, the exogenous transgene transcribing inverted-repeat (exo-IR) sequences produces double-stranded RNAs that are processed by DCL4. The 21-nt small interfering RNAs generated function as mobile signals to trigger non-cell autonomous silencing of target endogenes in the neighboring 10-15 cells. The potential involvement of nuclear silencing pathway components in signal spreading or sensing in target cells is not clear. Here, we demonstrate that the exo-IR silencer (exo-Pdsi) is negatively autoregulated through methylation spreading, which acts in cis to reinforce the self-silencing of the silencer. Mutations affecting nuclear proteins DRD1 and Pol V (NRPE1 or NRPD2) relieved exo-Pdsi self-silencing, resulting in higher levels of Pdsi transcripts, which increased the non-cell autonomous silencing of endo-PDS. Our results suggest that in an experimental silencing pathway, methylation spreading on a silencer transgene may not have a direct endogenous plant counterpart when the protein-encoding gene is the target. DRD1-Pol V-dependent de novo methylation, by acting in cis to reinforce self-silencing of exo-IR, may play a role in restraining the inappropriate silencing of active protein-coding genes in plants.

Circular RNA circTADA2A promotes the proliferation, invasion, and migration of non-small cell lung cancer cells via the miR-450b-3p/HMGN5 signaling pathway.

Background: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been confirmed to exert important roles in promoting tumor initiation and progression. However, the expression, effect, and underlying mechanism of circTADA2A in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain unclear. Methods: A total of 60 paired clinical samples of NSCLC tissues and corresponding normal adjacent tissues were obtained. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to verify circTADA2A, miR-450b-3p, and HMGN5 mRNA expression. The NSCLC cell Lines A549 and H1299 were individually transfected with circTADA2A and HMGN5. The regulatory interaction between circTADA2A and miR-450b-3p was investigated by dual-luciferase reporter assay. HMGN5 protein expression was detected by Western blotting. Results: CircTADA2A expression was significantly upregulated and correlated with poor overall survival of NSCLC patients. Functionally, circTADA2A inhibition successfully suppressed the proliferation, invasion, and migration of A549 and H1299 cells. circTADA2A functioned as a competing endogenous RNA to sponge miR-450b-3p to promote the expression of HMGN5 mRNA and protein. Furthermore, a positive relationship between circTADA2A and HMGN5 existed in NSCLC tissues. There were negative relationships between circTADA2A and miR-450b-3p as well as miR-450b-3p and HMGN5 in NSCLC tissues. Conclusions: These findings suggest that circTADA2A might act as an oncogenic circRNA that promotes NSCLC progression by sponging miR-450b-3p and promoting HMGN5 expression, indicating that the suppression of circTADA2A could become a potential therapeutic target for restraining NSCLC.

CircPTN promotes angiogenesis via the MiR-595/LYRM5 signaling pathway in non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is a highly malignant tumor with a poor prognosis worldwide. Some studies have demonstrated that circular pleiotrophin (circPTN) plays critical roles in tumorigenesis and tumor development. However, little is known about the role of circPTN in NSCLC. Methods: The circPTN expression in human NSCLC tissues was measured via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The function and potential mechanisms of circPTN in NSCLC angiogenesis were also investigated. We aimed to explore the function and potential mechanisms and clinical significance of circPTN in NSCLC. Results: We first found that circPTN was markedly upregulated in NSCLC tissues. A higher circPTN level was closely associated with angiogenesis and significantly shorter overall survival in patients with NSCLC. We then found that circPTN promoted angiogenesis in NSCLC. More importantly, we found that circPTN facilitated angiogenesis by regulating the expression of LYRM5 in NSCLC. Mechanistically, LYRM5 could be a direct target of microRNA-595 (miR-595). Additionally, we demonstrated that circPTN upregulated LYRM5 expression by sponging miR-595, which promoted NSCLC angiogenesis in NSCLC. Conclusions: We found that circPTN serves as a competing endogenous ribonucleic acid that promotes angiogenesis via the miR-595/LYRM5 signaling pathway in NSCLC. Targeting circPTN might be a promising new therapeutic strategy for NSCLC.

Effects of vibration training vs. conventional resistance training among community-dwelling older people with sarcopenia: three-arm randomized controlled trial protocol.

Introduction: Sarcopenia is a chronic and progressive disease, which is accompanied by the decline in muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance with aging, and it can lead to falls, fracture, and premature death. The prevention and treatment of sarcopenia mainly include exercise therapy and nutritional supplement. Exercise therapy is one of the most potential interventions to prevent and/or delay the progression of sarcopenia. Resistance training (RT), one of the most commonly used exercise types, is widely used in the treatment of sarcopenia, while vibration training (VT) is a prospective strategy for improving sarcopenia in older people. The aim of our study is to compare the effect of VT and RT in older people with sarcopenia on muscle mass, muscle strength, physical performance, blood biomarkers, and quality of life. Methods and analysis: Our study is a 12-week, three-arm randomized controlled trial with assessor-blinded. The diagnosis criteria for subject recruitment adopt the guidelines for the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia. A total of 54 subjects who met the criteria were randomized into one of the following three groups: VT group, RT group, and control group. The VT group and RT group received a 12-week whole-body vibration training and a resistance training program three times every week, respectively. The primary outcome is lower limb muscle strength, and the secondary outcomes include muscle mass, upper limb muscle strength, physical performance, blood biomarkers, and quality of life. We then performed assessments three times, at baseline (0 week), after intervention (12 weeks), and follow-up (24 weeks). The adverse events were also be reported. All outcome measurements were performed by the same researchers. Data were saved in the unified database, and the collected data of all subjects were analyzed by intention-to-treat analysis. Ethics and dissemination: This study was reviewed and approved by the Ethical Committee of Xinhua Hospital Chongming Branch. The findings of the study were authorized in peer-reviewed journals with online access; meanwhile, it will be presented at domestic or international academic congresses. Clinical trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2100051178), registered on 15 September 2021.

Prevalence and Factors Influencing Sarcopenia Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults Using the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia Definition.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the prevalence and impact of related factors for sarcopenia among community-dwelling older people in Chongming district, China, according to the diagnostic criteria of the Asia Working Group for Sarcopenia-2019. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study from April 2021 to December 2021. Diagnosis of sarcopenia (non-sarcopenia, possible sarcopenia, sarcopenia, and severe sarcopenia) was based on appendicular skeletal muscle mass index, handgrip strength, gait speed, and the 5-time chair stand test. Staff collected all subjects' clinical and sociodemographic characteristics, cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, inflammatory markers, physical activity (PA), and daily lifestyle activities to identify sarcopenia-related factors. Results: A total of 1407 older people aged ≥ 65 years were enrolled into the study (58.7% female). The prevalence of confirmed sarcopenia was 19.6% (17.1% in females and 23.1% in males). The prevalence of possible sarcopenia, sarcopenia, and severe sarcopenia were 19.7% (22.2% in females, 16.2% in males), 11.9% (10.1% in females, 14.5% in males), and 7.7% (7% in females, 8.6% in males), respectively. Increasing age, gender, depression status, and high-fat mass were associated with an increased likelihood of sarcopenia in all subjects. In females, living alone, high-fat mass, lower body mass index (BMI), lower body weight, and have no time spent doing housework increased the likelihood of sarcopenia. In males, depression status, high-fat mass, higher neutrophils-to-lymphocytes ratio (NLR), lower BMI, lower body weight increased the likelihood of sarcopenia. Conclusion: Our study showed a high prevalence of sarcopenia among community-dwelling older people in the Chongming district. Detection, prevention, and treatment efforts are needed to reduce the impact of sarcopenia in older, rural communities in China.

Prevalence and risk factors of sarcopenia without obesity and sarcopenic obesity among Chinese community older people in suburban area of Shanghai: A cross-sectional study.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to explore the prevalence and risk factors of sarcopenia without obesity (S) and sarcopenic obesity (SO) among community-dwelling older people in the Chongming District of Shanghai, China, according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019 Consensus as the diagnostic criteria of sarcopenia. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 1,407 subjects aged ≥65 years were included, where the mean age of the subjects was 71.91 ± 5.59 years and their mean body mass index (BMI) was 24.65 ± 3.32 kg/m2. According to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019 Consensus, sarcopenia was defined as a low appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (≤7.0 kg/m2 in males and ≤5.7 kg/m2 in females), decreased handgrip strength (<28.0 kg in males and <18.0 kg in females), and/or low gait speed (<1.0 m/s) or poor 5-time chair stand test (5CST) (≥12s). The SO met both the diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia and obesity, meanwhile obesity was defined as an increased percentage of body fat (PBF) (≥25% in males and ≥35% in females). Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to explore the risk factors of both S and SO. Results: The prevalence of S and SO was 9.74% (M: 9.29%, F: 10.05%) and 9.95% (M: 13.94%, F: 7.14%). Lower BMI (OR = 0.136, 95% CI: 0.054-0.340, p < 0.001), lower hip circumference (OR = 0.858, 95% CI: 0.816-0.903, p < 0.001), farming (OR = 1.632, 95% CI: 1.053-2.530, p = 0.028), higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level (OR = 2.235, 95% CI: 1.484-3.367, p < 0.001), and a sleep duration <7 h (OR = 0.561, 95% CI: 0.346-0.909, p = 0.019) were risk factors for S. While aging (70-74 y, OR = 1.923, 95% CI: 1.122-3.295, p = 0.017; 75-79 y, OR = 3.185, 95% CI: 1.816-5.585, p < 0.001; ≥80 y, OR = 7.192, 95% CI: 4.133-12.513, p < 0.001), male (OR = 1.981, 95% CI: 1.351-2.904, p < 0.001), higher BMI (OR = 4.865, 95% CI: 1.089-21.736, p = 0.038), higher monocyte level (OR = 4.203, 95% CI: 1.340-13.181, p = 0.014), and a sleep duration >9 h (OR = 1.881, 95% CI: 1.117-3.166, p = 0.017) were risk factors for SO. Conclusion: Our study showed the high prevalence of S and SO among community-dwelling older people in the Chongming District. The SO was more prevalent in males. Behavioral factors and lifestyle (such as farming and sleep duration) were associated more with the development of S, while age and male gender were associated more with the development of SO.

Genomics assisted functional characterization of Bacillus velezensis E as a biocontrol and growth promoting bacterium for lily.

Lily (Lilium spp.) is one of the most famous ornamental flowers globally. Lily basal rot (also known as root rot or stem rot) and lily gray mold have seriously affected the yield and quality of lily, resulting in huge economic losses. In this study, bacterial strain E was isolated from a continuous lily cropping field. Strain E displayed high control efficiency against lily basal rot and gray mold, caused by Fusarium oxysporum and Botrytis cinerea respectively, and promoted the occurrence of scale bulblets. Strain E displayed strong inhibitory effects against several other plant pathogenic fungi and two pathogenic bacteria in dual culture and disc diffusion assays, respectively. Whole genome sequencing revealed that strain E contained a 3,929,247 bp circular chromosome with 4,056 protein-coding genes and an average GC content of 47.32%. Strain E was classified as Bacillus velezensis using genome-based phylogenetic analysis and average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization analyses. A total of 86 genes and 13 secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters involved in antifungal and antibacterial activity, plant growth promotion, colonization, nutrient uptake and availability were identified in the genome of strain E. In vitro biochemical assays showed that strain E produced siderophores, proteases, cellulases, biofilms, antifungal and antibacterial substances, and exhibited organic phosphate solubilization and swimming and swarming motility, which were consistent with the results of the genome analysis. Colonization analysis showed that strain E could colonize the root of the lily, but not the leaf. Overall, these results demonstrate that B. velezensis strain E can be used as a potential biofertilizer and biocontrol agent for lily production.

Using ABCG2-molecule-expressing side population cells to identify cancer stem-like cells in a human ovarian cell line.

CSCs (cancer stem cells) are a small subset of cells within a tumour that possesses the characteristics of stem cells and are considered to be responsible for resistance to chemoradiation. Identification of CSCs through stem cell characteristics might have relevant clinical implications. In this study, SP (side population ) cells were sorted from a human ovarian cancer cell line by FACS to determine whether cancer stem cell-like SP cells were present. A very small fraction of SP cells (2.6%) was detected in A2780 cells. SP cells possessed the following characteristics: highly proliferative activity, marked ability for self-renewal in soft agar and culture medium, high expression of ABCG2, drug resistance to vinblastine in vitro, and strong tumourigenic potential in Balb/c nude mice. It is concluded that there exists in the A2780 cell line a small number of SP cells with high expression of ABCG2. The cells have the characteristics of cancer stem-like cells, and identification and cloning of such human SP cells can help in improving therapeutic approaches to ovarian cancer in patients.

Immunization with DNA vaccine expressing herpes simplex virus type 1 gD and IL-21 protects against mouse herpes keratitis.

The development of novel vaccines to eradicate herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a global public health priority. In this study, we developed a DNA vaccine expressing HSV-1 glycoprotein D (gD) and mouse interleukin-21(IL-21) and intramuscularly inoculated mice 3 times at 2-week intervals with a total of 300 ?g/mouse. Two weeks after the last immunization the specific antibody, splenocyte proliferative response to gD, IFN-? and IL-4 as well as the cytotoxic activities of splenocytes and natural killer (NK) cells were assayed. Immune protection against herpes keratitis was concurrently evaluated in the immunized mice after HSV-1 challenge of the mouse cornea. The results showed that the DNA vaccine pRSC-gD-IL-21 generated higher levels of antibody, IFN-? and IL-4, and enhanced the splenocyte proliferative response to gD as well as the cytotoxic activity of splenocytes and NK cells to target cells compared with the response in either the pRSC-gD or mock plasmid pRSC immunized mice. Importantly, the pRSC-gD-IL-21 ameliorated herpes keratitis severity and time course after corneal infection with HSV-1. The findings suggest that the DNA vaccine pRSC-gD-IL-21 may induce an immune response that can limit HSV-1 infection and development of herpes keratitis in the immunized mice.

Human umbilical blood mononuclear cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells serve as interleukin-21 gene delivery vehicles for epithelial ovarian cancer therapy in nude mice.

Ovarian cancer causes more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system, and its overall cure rate remains low. The present study investigated human umbilical blood mononuclear cell (UBMC)-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UBMC-MSCs) as interleukin-21 (IL-21) gene delivery vehicles for ovarian cancer therapy in nude mice. MSCs were isolated from UBMCs and the expanded cells were phenotyped by flow cytometry. Cultured UBMCs were differentiated into osteocytes and adipocytes using appropriate media and then the UBMC-MSCs were transfected with recombinant pIRES2-IL-21-enhancement green fluorescent protein. UBMC-MSCs expressing IL-21 were named as UBMC-MSC-IL-21. Mice with A2780 ovarian cancer were treated with UBMC-MSC-IL-21 intravenously, and the therapeutic efficacy was evaluated by the tumor volume and mouse survival. To address the mechanism of UBMC-MSC-IL-21 against ovarian cancer, the expression of IL-21, natural killer glucoprotein 2 domain and major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related molecules A/B were detected in UBMC-MSC-IL-21 and in the tumor sites. Interferon-γ-secreting splenocyte numbers and natural killer cytotoxicity were significantly increased in the UBMC-MSC-IL-21-treated mice as compared with the UBMC-MSCs or the UBMC-MSC-mock plasmid-treated mice. Most notably, tumor growth was delayed and survival was prolonged in ovarian-cancer-bearing mice treated with UBMC-MSC-IL-21. Our data provide important evidence that UBMC-MSCs can serve as vehicles for IL-21 gene delivery and inhibit the established tumor.