High Current Efficiency Red Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes Meeting Rec. 2020 Standard.

Cesium lead iodide light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are attractive for displays due to their Rec. 2020 red standard compliance. However, achieving high current efficiencies (CEs), which is important for displays, is challenging because their emission spectrum is near the tail of the photopic luminosity function. Substituting some iodine with bromine can improve CEs by enlarging the bandgap, but defects easily form in iodine-bromine mixed perovskites. Here, we successfully reduced defect formation by adding organic ammonium salts and zwitterions. The organic ammonium salts do not form low-dimensional perovskites under the hydrogen bonding interaction of zwitterions. Instead, they passivate the cesium vacancy by forming new hydrogen bonds after perovskite crystallization. This approach leads to a red perovskite LED with a high CE of 12.8 cd A-1 and a peak external quantum efficiency of 20.3%, meeting the Rec. 2020 standard. It can be extended to large-area devices (2500 mm2) without a significant efficiency loss.

OsUGE1 is directly targeted by OsGRF6 to regulate root hair length in rice.

KEY MESSAGE: Root hairs are required for water and nutrient acquisition in plants. Here, we report a novel mechanism that OsUGE1 is negatively controlled by OsGRF6 to regulate root hair elongation in rice. Root hairs are tubular outgrowths generated by the root epidermal cells. They effectively enlarge the soil-root contact area and play essential roles for nutrient and water absorption. Here, in this study, we demonstrated that the Oryza sativa UDP-glucose 4-epimerase 1-like (OsUGE1) negatively regulated root hair elongation and was directly targeted by Oryza sativa growth regulating factor 6 (OsGRF6). Knockout mutants of OsUGE1 using CRISPR-Cas9 technology showed longer root hairs than those of wild type. In contrast, overexpression lines of OsUGE1 displayed shorter root hair compared with those of wild type. GUS staining showed that it could specifically express in root hair. Subcellular localization analysis indicates that OsUGE1 is located in endoplasmic reticulum, nucleus and plasma membrane. More importantly, ChIP-qPCR, Yeast-one-hybrid and BiFC experiments revealed that OsGRF6 could bind to the promoter of OsUGE1. Furthermore, knockout mutants of OsGRF6 showed shorter root hair than those of wild type, and OsGRF6 dominantly expressed in root. In addition, the expression level of OsUGE1 is significantly downregulated in Osgrf6 mutant. Taken together, our study reveals a novel pathway that OsUGE1 is negatively controlled by OsGRF6 to regulate root hair elongation in rice.

Psychological capital and alienation among patients with COVID-19 infection: the mediating role of social support.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 infection continues all over the world, causing serious physical and psychological impacts to patients. Patients with COVID-19 infection suffer from various negative emotional experiences such as anxiety, depression, mania, and alienation, which seriously affect their normal life and is detrimental to the prognosis. Our study is aimed to investigate the effect of psychological capital on alienation among patients with COVID-19 and the mediating role of social support in this relationship. METHODS: The data were collected in China by the convenient sampling. A sample of 259 COVID-19 patients completed the psychological capital, social support and social alienation scale and the structural equation model was adopted to verify the research hypotheses. RESULTS: Psychological capital was significantly and negatively related to the COVID-19 patients' social alienation (p < .01). And social support partially mediated the correlation between psychological capital and patients' social alienation (p < .01). CONCLUSION: Psychological capital is critical to predicting COVID-19 patients' social alienation. Social support plays an intermediary role and explains how psychological capital alleviates the sense of social alienation among patients with COVID-19 infection.

The relationship between components of hypoglycemia worries and avoiding hypoglycemia behavior in type 2 diabetes mellitus with hypoglycemia: a network analysis.

BACKGROUND: The fear of hypoglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with hypoglycemia has seriously affected their quality of life. They are always afraid of hypoglycemia and often take excessive action to avoid it. Yet, researchers have investigated the relationship between hypoglycemia worries and excessive avoiding hypoglycemia behavior using total scores on self-report measures. However, network analysis studies of hypoglycemia worries and excessive avoiding hypoglycemia behavior in T2DM patients with hypoglycemia are lacking. PURPOSE: The present study investigated the network structure of hypoglycemia worries and avoiding hypoglycemia behavior in T2DM patients with hypoglycemia and aimed to identify bridge items to help them correctly treat hypoglycemia and properly deal with hypoglycemia fear. METHODS: A total of 283 T2DM patients with hypoglycemia were enrolled in our study. Hypoglycemia worries and avoiding hypoglycemia behavior were evaluated with the Hypoglycemia Fear Scale. Network analyses were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: B9 "Had to stay at home for fear of hypoglycemia" and W12 "I am worried that hypoglycemia will affect my judgment" have the highest expected influences in the present network. In the community of hypoglycemia worries, W17 "I worry about hypoglycemia during sleep" has the highest bridge expected influence. And in the community of avoiding hypoglycemia behavior, B9 "Had to stay at home for fear of hypoglycemia" has the highest bridge expected influence. CONCLUSION: Complex patterns of associations existed in the relationship between hypoglycemia worries and avoiding hypoglycemia behavior in T2DM patients with hypoglycemia. From the perspective of network analysis, B9 "Had to stay at home for fear of hypoglycemia" and W12 "I am worried that hypoglycemia will affect my judgment" have the highest expected influence, indicating their highest importance in the network. W17 "I worry about hypoglycemia during sleep" aspect of hypoglycemia worries and B9 "Had to stay at home for fear of hypoglycemia" aspect of avoiding hypoglycemia behavior have the highest bridge expected influence, indicating they have the strongest connections with each community. These results have important implications for clinical practice, which provided potential targets for interventions to reduce hypoglycemia fear and improve the quality of life in T2DM patients with hypoglycemia.

Differential tissue expression of sex steroid-synthesizing enzyme CYP11A1 in male Tibetan sheep (Ovis aries).

Steroid metabolism is a fundament to testicular development and function. The cytochrome P450, family 11, subfamily A, polypeptide 1 (CYP11A1) is a key rate-limiting enzyme for catalyzing the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone. However, despite its importance, what expression and roles of CYP11A1 possesses and how it regulates the testicular development and spermatogenesis in Tibetan sheep remains largely unknown. Based on this, we evaluated the expression and localization patterns of CYP11A1 in testes and epididymides of Tibetan sheep at three developmental stages (three-month-old, pre-puberty; one-year-old, sexual maturity and three-year-old, adult) by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), western blot and immunofluorescence. The results showed that CYP11A1 mRNA and protein were expressed in testes and epididymides throughout the development stages and obviously more intense in one- and three-year-old groups than three-month-old group (except for the caput epididymidis). Immunofluorescence assay showed that the CYP11A1 protein was mainly located in Leydig cells and epididymal epithelial cells. In addition, positive signals of CYP11A1 protein were observed in germ cells, epididymal connective tissue and sperms stored in the epididymal lumen. Collectively, these results suggested that the CYP11A1 gene might be mainly involved in regulating spermatogenesis and androgen synthesis in developmental Tibetan sheep testis and epididymis.

Construction and application on the training course of information literacy for clinical nurses.

DESIGN: A two-round Delphi survey was conducted to seek opinions from experts about the index system for the evaluation of training courses of clinical nursing staff's information literacy. Besides, a non-randomized controlled experimental study was adopted to check the application effect of the training courses. AIMS: This study intended to construct a training course of information literacy for clinical nurses, train nurses in order to improve their information literacy level and provide theoretical reference for the training of information literacy courses for clinical nurses. METHODS: Two rounds of Delphi study were conducted for the study among 26 clinical medical and nursing experts as well as educational experts from 5 different provinces and cities in China. From July 2022 to October 2022, a total of 84 clinical nurses from two hospitals were selected by the convenience sampling method, of which the nurses in one hospital were the control group and the nurses in the other hospital were the observation group. 42 nurses in the observation group were trained by the constructed information literacy training course. Questionnaire evaluation was used to compare the differences in the level of information literacy of nurses and the training effect between the two groups. RESULTS: The results of the Delphi consultation showed that the expert's judgment coefficient was 0.958, the expert's familiarity was 0.946, and the expert's authority coefficient was 0.952. Finally, a training course of information literacy for clinical nurses with 4 course categories and 45 specific course contents was formed. Among them, nursing information awareness included 7 courses, nursing information knowledge 15 courses, nursing information ability 19 courses, and nursing information ethics 4 courses. The results of the empirical study showed that the information literacy level of the nurses in the observation group after the training of the information literacy course was improved, and the scores in nursing information awareness, nursing information knowledge, nursing information ability, and information ethics were significantly higher than those in the control group after training (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The constructed information literacy training courses for clinical nurses were clearly targeted and systematic. Empirical research showed that the course contents were scientific and reasonable, which could provide reference for the training of clinical nurses' information literacy.

Trilobatin rescues cognitive impairment of Alzheimer's disease by targeting HMGB1 through mediating SIRT3/SOD2 signaling pathway.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with cognitive impairment that currently is uncurable. Previous study shows that trilobatin (TLB), a naturally occurring food additive, exerts neuroprotective effect in experimental models of AD. In the present study we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the beneficial effect of TLB on experimental models of AD in vivo and in vitro. APP/PS1 transgenic mice were administered TLB (4, 8 mg· kg-1 ·d-1, i.g.) for 3 months; rats were subjected to ICV injection of Aß25-35, followed by administration of TLB (2.5, 5, 10 mg· kg-1 ·d-1, i.g.) for 14 days. We showed that TLB administration significantly and dose-dependently ameliorated the cognitive deficits in the two AD animal models, assessed in open field test, novel object recognition test, Y-maze test and Morris water maze test. Furthermore, TLB administration dose-dependently inhibited microglia and astrocyte activation in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 transgenic mice accompanied by decreased expression of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), TLR4 and NF-κB. In Aß25-25-treated BV2 cells, TLB (12.5-50 µM) concentration-dependently increased the cell viability through inhibiting HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. HMGB1 overexpression abrogated the beneficial effects of TLB on BV2 cells after Aß25-35 insults. Molecular docking and surface plasmon resonance assay revealed that TLB directly bound to HMGB1 with a KD value of 8.541×10-4 M. Furthermore, we demonstrated that TLB inhibited Aß25-35-induced acetylation of HMGB1 through activating SIRT3/SOD2 signaling pathway, thereby restoring redox homeostasis and suppressing neuroinflammation. These results, for the first time, unravel a new property of TLB: rescuing cognitive impairment of AD via targeting HMGB1 and activating SIRT3/SOD2 signaling pathway.

A well-defined hierarchically porous metal-organic framework and its application in separation and purification of steviol glycosides.

The separation and removal of stevioside from natural product steviol glycosides to obtain high-purity rebaudioside A is of great significance for the application of steviol glycosides in food, medicine, and other fields. Here, in order to explore the adsorbent pore structure suitable for the separation of stevioside and rebaudioside A, a hierarchically porous amino-functionalized metal-organic framework (HP-NH2 -MIL-53) with an appropriate and narrow pore size distribution was prepared using a modulator-induced defect-formation strategy. The results showed that the hierarchically porous structure with micropores and mesopores increased the specific surface area and exposed amino groups compared with original metal organic framework (NH2 -MIL-53), and the maximum adsorption capacity of HP-NH2 -MIL-53 for stevioside and rebaudioside A was 233.89 mg/g. The narrow pore size distribution close to 3.80 nm promoted the screening effect, resulting in a maximum adsorption selectivity of 4.13. This work proves that when the pore size of the adsorbent is between 1.41 and 3.80 nm, it has a certain pore size screening effect on stevioside and rebaudioside A, and the hierarchically porous metal-organic frameworks provide a pre-design idea of adsorbent structure for the separation of natural products with molecular weight of 800-1000 Da.

Cloning, Molecular Characterization and Expression Patterns of DMRTC2 Implicated in Germ Cell Development of Male Tibetan Sheep.

The double sex and mab-3-related transcription factors like family C2 (DMRTC2) gene is indispensable for mammalian testicular function and spermatogenesis. Despite its importance, what expression and roles of DMRTC2 possesses and how it regulates the testicular development and spermatogenesis in sheep, especially in Tibetan sheep, remains largely unknown. In this study, DMRTC2 cDNA from testes of Tibetan sheep was firstly cloned by the RT-PCR method, and its molecular characterization was identified. Subsequently, the expression and localization patterns of DMRTC2 were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), Western blot, and immunofluorescence. The cloning and sequence analysis showed that the Tibetan sheep DMRTC2 cDNA fragment contained 1113 bp open reading frame (ORF) capable of encoding 370 amino acids, and displayed high identities with some other mammals, which shared an identical DM domain sequence of 47 amino acids ranged from residues 38 to 84. qPCR and Western blot results showed that DMRTC2 was expressed in testes throughout the development stages while not in epididymides (caput, corpus, and cauda), with higher mRNA and protein abundance in Tibetan sheep testes of one- and three-year-old (post-puberty) compared with that of three-month-old (pre-puberty). Immunofluorescence results revealed that immune staining for DMRTC2 protein was observed in spermatids and spermatogonia from post-puberty Tibetan sheep testes, and gonocytes from pre-puberty Tibetan sheep testes. Together, these results demonstrated, for the first time, in sheep, that DMRTC2, as a highly conserved gene in mammals, is essential for sheep spermatogenesis by regulating the proliferation or differentiation of gonocytes and development of spermatids in ram testes at different stages of maturity.

B-cell-specific-peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ deficiency augments contact hypersensitivity with impaired regulatory B cells.

Nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) activation can prevent immunoinflammatory disorders and diabetes. B cells play protective roles during inflammation as well. However, the roles of endogenous PPAR-γ in the regulatory properties of B cells to relieve inflammation remain unknown. Here, we developed B-cell-specific PPAR-γ knockout (B-PPAR-γ-/- ) mice and found that the conditional deletion of PPAR-γ in B cells resulted in exaggerated contact hypersensitivity (CHS). Meanwhile, interferon-γ (IFN-γ) of CD4+ CD8+ T cells was up-regulated in B-PPAR-γ-/- mice in CHS. This showed that the regulatory function of B cells in B-PPAR-γ-/- mice declined in vivo. Whereas splenic CD5+ CD1dhi regulatory B-cell numbers and peripheral regulatory T-cell numbers were not changed in naive B-PPAR-γ-/- mice. Loss of PPAR-γ in B cells also did not affect either CD86 or FasL expression in splenic CD5+ CD1dhi regulatory B cells after activation. Notably, interleukin-10 (IL-10) production in CD5+ CD1dhi regulatory B cells reduced in B-PPAR-γ-deficient mice. In addition, functional IL-10-producing CD5+ CD1dhi regulatory B cells decreased in B-PPAR-γ-/- mice in the CHS model. These findings were in accordance with augmented CHS. The current work indicated the involvement of endogenous PPAR-γ in the regulatory function of B cells by disturbing the expansion of IL-10-positive regulatory B cells.

Comparative proteomic analysis of maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings under rice black-streaked dwarf virus infection.

BACKGROUND: Maize rough dwarf disease (MRDD) is a severe disease that has been occurring frequently in southern China and many other Asian countries. MRDD is caused by the infection of Rice black streaked dwarf virus (RBSDV) and leads to significant economic losses in maize production. To well understand the destructive effects of RBSDV infection on maize growth, comparative proteomic analyses of maize seedlings under RBSDV infection was performed using an integrated approach involving LC-MS/MS and Tandem Mass Tag (TMT) labeling. RESULTS: In total, 7615 maize proteins, 6319 of which were quantified. A total of 116 differentially accumulated proteins (DAPs) were identified, including 35 up- and 81 down-regulated proteins under the RBSDV infection. Enrichment analysis showed that the DAPs were most strongly associated with cyanoamino acid metabolism, protein processing in ER, and ribosome-related pathways. Two sulfur metabolism-related proteins were significantly reduced, indicating that sulfur may participate in the resistance against RBSDV infection. Furthermore, 15 DAPs involved in six metabolic pathways were identified in maize under the RBSDV infection. CONCLUSIONS: Our data revealed that the responses of maize to RBSDV infection were controlled by various metabolic pathways.

Effects of growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible protein 34 (GADD34) on inflammation-induced colon cancer in mice.

BACKGROUND: Growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible protein 34 (GADD34/Ppp1r15a) is a family of GADD proteins that are induced by DNA damage. GADD34 protein has been suggested to regulate inflammation or host defense systems. However, the in vivo function of GADD34 in inflammation is still unclear. Long lasting inflammation, such as that seen in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is associated with a higher incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: Using a colitis-associated cancer model, we analysed GADD34-deficient (KO) mice to study the effect of GADD34 on colitis and colorectal tumorigenesis. RESULTS: We found a higher incidence of CRC in wild-type (WT) mice than in GADD34KO mice. Moreover, dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced inflammatory responses were downregulated by GADD34 deficiency. The expression of pro-inflammatory mediators such as TNFα, IL-6, and iNOS/NOS2 was higher in the colons of WT mice than GADD34KO mice. IL-6 is known to activate STAT3 signalling in colonic epithelial cells and subsequently induced epithelial proliferation. We found that IL-6-STAT3 signalling and epithelial proliferation were higher in WT mice compared with GADD34KO mice. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicated that GADD34 upregulated pro-inflammatory mediator production leading to a higher tumour burden following azoxymethane (AOM)/DSS treatment.

Growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible protein (GADD34) enhanced liver inflammation and tumorigenesis in a diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-treated murine model.

Growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible protein (GADD34/Ppp1r15a) is induced by various stimuli including DNA damage and ER stress. DNA damage and oncogene activation, accompanied by tumor-specific DNA repair defects and a failure to stall the cell cycle, are early markers of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, whether GADD34 accounts for regulating HCC tumorigenesis remains elusive. Here, we demonstrated that GADD34 expression was upregulated in the liver of mice after exposure to a carcinogen, diethylnitrosamine (DEN). In both acute and chronic DEN treatment models, GADD34 deficiency not only decreased oncogene expression, but also reduced hepatic damage. Moreover, loss of GADD34 attenuated immune cell infiltration, pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and hepatic compensatory proliferation. Finally, GADD34-deficient mice showed impaired hepatocarcinogenesis. Thus, the process of DEN-induced HCC proceeded as follows. First, DEN treatment induced DNA damage in hepatocytes, resulting in elevated expression of GADD34 in the liver. The increased expression of GADD34 augmented hepatic necrosis followed by elevated expression of interleukin (IL)-1ß and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1. This process promoted immune cell infiltration and Kupffer cell/macrophage activation followed by production of reactive oxygen species and pro-tumorigenic cytokines such as IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α. The pro-tumorigenic cytokines stimulated compensatory proliferation of surviving and mutant hepatocytes. Together with oncogene c-Myc expression, these processes led to HCC. Our results suggest therapeutic opportunities for HCC by targeting GADD34-related pathways.

Soybean kinome: functional classification and gene expression patterns.

The protein kinase (PK) gene family is one of the largest and most highly conserved gene families in plants and plays a role in nearly all biological functions. While a large number of genes have been predicted to encode PKs in soybean, a comprehensive functional classification and global analysis of expression patterns of this large gene family is lacking. In this study, we identified the entire soybean PK repertoire or kinome, which comprised 2166 putative PK genes, representing 4.67% of all soybean protein-coding genes. The soybean kinome was classified into 19 groups, 81 families, and 122 subfamilies. The receptor-like kinase (RLK) group was remarkably large, containing 1418 genes. Collinearity analysis indicated that whole-genome segmental duplication events may have played a key role in the expansion of the soybean kinome, whereas tandem duplications might have contributed to the expansion of specific subfamilies. Gene structure, subcellular localization prediction, and gene expression patterns indicated extensive functional divergence of PK subfamilies. Global gene expression analysis of soybean PK subfamilies revealed tissue- and stress-specific expression patterns, implying regulatory functions over a wide range of developmental and physiological processes. In addition, tissue and stress co-expression network analysis uncovered specific subfamilies with narrow or wide interconnected relationships, indicative of their association with particular or broad signalling pathways, respectively. Taken together, our analyses provide a foundation for further functional studies to reveal the biological and molecular functions of PKs in soybean.

Improved multiple-wavelength Brillouin-Raman fiber laser assisted by four-wave mixing with a micro-air cavity.

In this paper, a multiple-wavelength Brillouin-Raman fiber laser (MBRFL) with enhanced performance is presented. This is attributed to the improved Fresnel reflection, thus strengthening four-wave mixing in the fiber laser cavity due to the insertion of a micro-air cavity. As a result, compared with the conventional MBRFL without a micro-air cavity, the thresholds of Brillouin Stokes (BS) lines are observed to be reduced, and more BS lines can be generated. In the experiment, a MBRFL having 40 BS lines is achieved with good stability on laser wavelengths and output power. In view of the fact that more BS lines can be established with a simple scheme and low pump power, our MBRFL promises to be employed as a multiwavelength source for optical communication.

Genome-wide analysis and expression profile of the bZIP transcription factor gene family in grapevine (Vitis vinifera).

BACKGROUND: Basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor gene family is one of the largest and most diverse families in plants. Current studies have shown that the bZIP proteins regulate numerous growth and developmental processes and biotic and abiotic stress responses. Nonetheless, knowledge concerning the specific expression patterns and evolutionary history of plant bZIP family members remains very limited. RESULTS: We identified 55 bZIP transcription factor-encoding genes in the grapevine (Vitis vinifera) genome, and divided them into 10 groups according to the phylogenetic relationship with those in Arabidopsis. The chromosome distribution and the collinearity analyses suggest that expansion of the grapevine bZIP (VvbZIP) transcription factor family was greatly contributed by the segment/chromosomal duplications, which may be associated with the grapevine genome fusion events. Nine intron/exon structural patterns within the bZIP domain and the additional conserved motifs were identified among all VvbZIP proteins, and showed a high group-specificity. The predicted specificities on DNA-binding domains indicated that some highly conserved amino acid residues exist across each major group in the tree of land plant life. The expression patterns of VvbZIP genes across the grapevine gene expression atlas, based on microarray technology, suggest that VvbZIP genes are involved in grapevine organ development, especially seed development. Expression analysis based on qRT-PCR indicated that VvbZIP genes are extensively involved in drought- and heat-responses, with possibly different mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS: The genome-wide identification, chromosome organization, gene structures, evolutionary and expression analyses of grapevine bZIP genes provide an overall insight of this gene family and their potential involvement in growth, development and stress responses. This will facilitate further research on the bZIP gene family regarding their evolutionary history and biological functions.

Maternal nicotinamide supplementation causes global DNA hypomethylation, uracil hypo-incorporation and gene expression changes in fetal rats.

Recent evidence shows that excess nicotinamide can cause epigenetic changes in developing rats. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of maternal nicotinamide supplementation on the fetus. Female rats were randomised into four groups fed a standard chow diet (control group) or diets supplemented with 1 g/kg of nicotinamide (low-dose group), 4 g/kg of nicotinamide (high-dose group) or 4 g/kg of nicotinamide plus 2 g/kg of betaine (betaine group) for 14-16 d before mating and throughout the study. Fetal tissue samples were collected on the 20th day of pregnancy. Compared with the control group, the high-dose group had a higher fetal death rate, and the average fetal body weight was higher in the low-dose group but lower in the high-dose group. Nicotinamide supplementation led to a decrease in placental and fetal hepatic genomic DNA methylation and genomic uracil contents (a factor modifying DNA for diversity) in the placenta and fetal liver and brain, which could be completely or partially prevented by betaine. Moreover, nicotinamide supplementation induced tissue-specific alterations in the mRNA expression of the genes encoding nicotinamide N-methyltransferase, DNA methyltransferase 1, catalase and tumour protein p53 in the placenta and fetal liver. High-dose nicotinamide supplementation increased fetal hepatic α-fetoprotein mRNA level, which was prevented by betaine supplementation. It is concluded that maternal nicotinamide supplementation can induce changes in fetal epigenetic modification and DNA base composition. The present study raises the concern that maternal nicotinamide supplementation may play a role in the development of epigenetic-related diseases in the offspring.

Cyclovirobuxinum D suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory responses in murine macrophages in vitro by blocking JAK-STAT signaling pathway.

AIM: Cyclovirobuxinum D (CVB-D), an alkaloid isolated from the Chinese medicinal plant Buxus microphylla, has been found to be effective to treat cardiac insufficiency, arrhythmias and coronary heart disease. In the present study, we investigated the effects of CVB-D on the inflammatory responses in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine macrophages in vitro and the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Murine macrophage cell line RAW264.7 cells were incubated in the presence of LPS (0.1 µg/mL) for 24 h. The cell viability was measured using MTT assay. The release of NO and cytokines were detected using the Griess test and ELISA, respectively. The mRNA and protein levels were determined using RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. Reporter gene assays were used to analyze the transcriptional activity of NF-κB. RESULTS: Treatment of RAW264.7 cells with CVB-D (25-300 µmol/L) did not affect the cell viability. Pretreatment with CVB-D (50, 100 and 200 µmol/L) concentration-dependently decreased NO release and iNOS expression in LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells (its IC50 value in inhibition of NO production was 144 µmol/L). CVB-D also concentration-dependently inhibited the secretion and mRNA expression of IL-1ß and IL-6 in LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, CVB-D remarkably inhibited the phosphorylation of STAT1 and STAT3, as well as JAK2 in LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells, but did not affect the activation of NF-κB and MAPKs pathways. Pretreatment with the JAK2 specific inhibitor AG490 (30 µmol/L) produced similar effects on NO release and iNOS expression in LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells. CONCLUSION: CVB-D exerts anti-inflammatory effects in LPS-stimulated murine macrophages in vitro at least in part by blocking the JAK-STAT signaling pathway. The anti-inflammatory actions of CVB-D may contribute to its cardioprotection.

An unusual piceatannol dimer from Rheum austral D. Don with antioxidant activity.

A novel dimer of piceatannol glycoside, named rheumaustralin (1) was isolated from the underground parts of the ethnomedicinal plant Rheum austral (Polygonaceae) collected from Tibet together with 17 known compounds, including rheumin (2), 2,5-dimethyl-7-hydroxychromone (3), 2,5-dimethylchromone-7-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (4), 7-hydroxy-2-(2'-hydroxypropyl)-5-methylchromone (5), torachrysone (6) torachrysone-8-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (7), 4-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone-4'-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (8), amabiloside (9), N-trans-feruloyl tyramine (10), chrysophanol (11), aloe-emodin (12), emodin (13), physcion (14), physcion-1-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (15), emodin-8-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (16), D-catechin (17) and gallic acid (18). Their structures were determined by combined spectroscopic methods and by comparison of their spectral data with those reported in literature. Compounds 1-10 were tested for their ability to scavenge 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical.

OsUGE2 Regulates Plant Growth through Affecting ROS Homeostasis and Iron Level in Rice.

BACKGROUND: The growth and development of rice (Oryza sativa L.) are affected by multiple factors, such as ROS homeostasis and utilization of iron. Here, we demonstrate that OsUGE2, a gene encoding a UDP-glucose 4-epimerase, controls growth and development by regulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and iron (Fe) level in rice. Knockout of this gene resulted in impaired growth, such as dwarf phenotype, weakened root growth and pale yellow leaves. Biochemical analysis showed that loss of function of OsUGE2 significantly altered the proportion and content of UDP-Glucose (UDP-Glc) and UDP-Galactose (UDP-Gal). Cellular observation indicates that the impaired growth may result from decreased cell length. More importantly, RNA-sequencing analysis showed that knockout of OsUGE2 significantly influenced the expression of genes related to oxidoreductase process and iron ion homeostasis. Consistently, the content of ROS and Fe are significantly decreased in OsUGE2 knockout mutant. Furthermore, knockout mutants of OsUGE2 are insensitive to both Fe deficiency and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) treatment, which further confirmed that OsUGE2 control rice growth possibly through Fe and H2O2 signal. Collectively, these results reveal a new pathway that OsUGE2 could affect growth and development via influencing ROS homeostasis and Fe level in rice.