Study on the Mechanism of MC5R Participating in Energy Metabolism of Goose Liver.

Nutrition and energy levels have an important impact on animal growth, production performance, disease occurrence and health recovery. Previous studies indicate that melanocortin 5 receptor (MC5R) is mainly involved in the regulations of exocrine gland function, lipid metabolism and immune response in animals. However, it is not clear how MC5R participates in the nutrition and energy metabolism of animals. To address this, the widely used animal models, including the overfeeding model and the fasting/refeeding model, could provide an effective tool. In this study, the expression of MC5R in goose liver was first determined in these models. Goose primary hepatocytes were then treated with nutrition/energy metabolism-related factors (glucose, oleic acid and thyroxine), which is followed by determination of MC5R gene expression. Moreover, MC5R was overexpressed in goose primary hepatocytes, followed by identification of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and pathways subjected to MC5R regulation by transcriptome analysis. At last, some of the genes potentially regulated by MC5R were also identified in the in vivo and in vitro models, and were used to predict possible regulatory networks with PPI (protein-protein interaction networks) program. The data showed that both overfeeding and refeeding inhibited the expression of MC5R in goose liver, while fasting induced the expression of MC5R. Glucose and oleic acid could induce the expression of MC5R in goose primary hepatocytes, whereas thyroxine could inhibit it. The overexpression of MC5R significantly affected the expression of 1381 genes, and the pathways enriched with the DEGs mainly include oxidative phosphorylation, focal adhesion, ECM-receptor interaction, glutathione metabolism and MAPK signaling pathway. Interestingly, some pathways are related to glycolipid metabolism, including oxidative phosphorylation, pyruvate metabolism, citrate cycle, etc. Using the in vivo and in vitro models, it was demonstrated that the expression of some DEGs, including ACSL1, PSPH, HMGCS1, CPT1A, PACSIN2, IGFBP3, NMRK1, GYS2, ECI2, NDRG1, CDK9, FBXO25, SLC25A25, USP25 and AHCY, was associated with the expression of MC5R, suggesting these genes may mediate the biological role of MC5R in these models. In addition, PPI analysis suggests that the selected downstream genes, including GYS2, ECI2, PSPH, CPT1A, ACSL1, HMGCS1, USP25 and NDRG1, participate in the protein-protein interaction network regulated by MC5R. In conclusion, MC5R may mediate the biological effects caused by changes in nutrition and energy levels in goose hepatocytes through multiple pathways, including glycolipid-metabolism-related pathways.

Preliminary Study on Expression and Function of the Chicken W Chromosome Gene MIER3 in Embryonic Gonads.

The sex chromosomes of birds are designated Z and W. The male is homogamous (ZZ), and the female is heterogamous (ZW). The chicken W chromosome is a degenerate version of the Z chromosome and harbors only 28 protein-coding genes. We studied the expression pattern of the W chromosome gene MIER3 (showing differential expression during gonadogenesis) in chicken embryonic gonads and its potential role in gonadal development. The W copy of MIER3 (MIER3-W) shows a gonad-biased expression in chicken embryonic tissues which was different from its Z copy. The overall expression of MIER3-W and MIER3-Z mRNA and protein is correlated with the gonadal phenotype being higher in female gonads than in male gonads or female-to-male sex-reversed gonads. Chicken MIER3 protein is highly expressed in the nucleus, with relatively lower expression in the cytoplasm. Overexpression of MIER3-W in male gonad cells suggested its effect on the GnRH signaling pathway, cell proliferation, and cell apoptosis. MIER3 expression is associated with the gonadal phenotype. MIER3 may promote female gonadal development by regulating EGR1 and αGSU genes. These findings enrich our knowledge of chicken W chromosome genes and support a more systematic and in-depth understanding of gonadal development in chickens.

[SGK1 as a therapeutic target for central nervous system diseases].

Serum and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 (SGK1) plays an important role in the physiological processes of hormone release, neuronal excitation and cell proliferation. SGK1 also participates in the pathophysiological processes of inflammation and apoptosis in the central nervous system (CNS). Increasing evidence demonstrates that SGK1 may serve as a target of the intervention of neurodegenerative diseases. In this article, we summarize the recent progress on the role and molecular mechanisms of SGK1 in the regulation of the function of the CNS. We also discuss the potential of newly discovered SGK1 inhibitors in the treatment of CNS diseases.

Camrelizumab in different PD-L1 expression cohorts of pre-treated advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer: a phase II study.

BACKGROUND: This phase II study evaluated camrelizumab in different PD-L1 expression cohorts of patients with previously treated advanced/metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC; NCT03085069, registered March 21, 2017). METHODS: Patients who progressed during/after chemotherapy were enrolled and divided into four cohorts based on PD-L1 tumor proportion score (TPS). Patients with EGFR/ALK alterations and PD-L1 TPS ≥ 50% were also eligible. All enrolled patients received camrelizumab at 200 mg IV Q2W. The primary endpoint was objective response rate. RESULTS: A total of 146 patients were enrolled. As of data cutoff on Aug 20, 2020, the median follow-up was 29.5 months (95% CI 27.4-30.8). Objective response rate was 17.8% (95% CI 12.0-25.0) and improved with the increasing PD-L1 TPS (TPS < 1%, 12.2% [95% CI 5.7-21.8]; ≥ 1-< 25%, 19.4% [95% CI 7.5-37.5]; ≥ 25-< 50%, 36.4% [95% CI 10.9-69.2]; ≥ 50%, 23.3% [95% CI 9.9-42.3]). No response was observed in the five patients harboring EGFR mutations. Median progression-free survival was 3.2 months (95% CI 2.0-3.4), and patients with positive PD-L1 TPS had longer progression-free survival. Median overall survival was 14.8 months (95% CI 10.2-18.7). Treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) of any grade occurred in 87.7% of patients, and 21.2% had grade ≥ 3 TRAEs. CONCLUSION: Camrelizumab showed improved efficacy compared with historical data of the second-line chemotherapy in pre-treated advanced/metastatic NSCLC. Patients with positive PD-L1 expression derived greater benefit from camrelizumab. Camrelizumab has a manageable safety profile.

Prenatal diagnosis for fetuses with isolated and non-isolated congenital heart defects using chromosomal microarray and exome sequencing.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the use of chromosomal microarray (CMA) and Exome sequencing (ES) in fetuses with congenital heart disease (CHD). METHODS: The Fetal Medicine Unit of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital records were reviewed to ascertain all cases diagnosed with CHD by level 2 ultrasound examination between 2016 and 2019. Cases were categorized as isolated or associated with other abnormalities or fetal growth restriction. CMA was offered to all cases as a first-line genetic test followed by ES when CMA was non-diagnostic. RESULTS: Of the 586 ascertained, 84 (14.3%) had causative CMA abnormality, of which 8.8% (35/400) were in fetuses with isolated CHD and 26.3% (49/186) in those with other abnormalities. ES was performed in 47 cases with a negative CMA. Causative variants were identified in two (10.5%, 2/19) isolated cases and four(14.3%, 4/28) with other abnormalities. CONCLUSION: Invasive procedures with CMA should be offered in pregnancies complicated by both non-isolated and isolated cardiac abnormalities. When CMA is not diagnostic, ES can add diagnostic value in both groups and should be considered even for fetuses with an isolated CHD.

[Effects of Osthole on Apoptosis and Autophagy of Human Tongue Cancer Tca8113 Cells].

Objective To investigate the effects of osthole on the proliferation,apoptosis,and autophagy of human tongue cancer Tca8113 cells and explore its possible mechanism of action. Methods Tca8113 cells were cultured in vitro and divided into a control group without drugs and the experimental groups with 40,80,120,and 160 µmol/L osthole.The inhibitory effect of osthole on the proliferation of Tca8113 cells was detected by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and colony formation assay.Hoechst33342 staining method and annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide method were employed to detect the effect of osthole on the apoptosis of Tca8113 cells within 24 hours.Western blot was performed to detect the expression of apoptosis-related proteins(Bcl-2,Bax,and cleaved caspase-3)and autophagy-related proteins(LC3 and p62)in Tca8113 cells exposed to osthole. Results Osthole significantly inhibited the proliferation and induced the apoptosis of Tca8113 cells in a concentration-dependent manner,and it reduced the cell colony formation.Western blot results showed that osthole could up-regulate the expression of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 and down-regulate that of Bcl-2.At the same time,it increased the expression of LC3Ⅱ and P62 and reduced that of LC3Ⅰ. Conclusion Osthole may inhibit the proliferation of Tca8113 cells by promoting cell apoptosis and blocking autophagy flow to inhibit autophagy.

Single-cell multiomic analysis of in vivo and in vitro matured human oocytes.

STUDY QUESTION: Are there any differences between in vivo (IVV) and in vitro (IVT) matured metaphase II (MII) oocytes at the molecular level? SUMMARY ANSWER: Between IVV and IVT oocytes, 507 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified; the non-CpG methylomes were significantly different, but the CpG methylomes and genomic copy number variations (CNVs) were similar. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: A previous study using microarray and single-cell RNA-seq analysis revealed that numerous genes were differentially expressed between IVV and IVT oocytes. Independent studies of DNA methylation profiling in human oocytes have revealed negative correlations between gene transcription and the DNA methylation level at gene promoter regions. No study has compared global CpG or non-CpG methylation between these two groups of oocytes. Although a high level of aneuploidy has been reported in MII oocytes, no direct comparison of IVV and IVT oocytes based on single-cell sequencing data has been performed. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: We collected eight IVV oocytes from six patients and seven IVT oocytes from seven patients and then analysed each oocyte using the previously established single-cell triple omics sequencing (scTrioseq) analysis to determine associations among the transcriptome, DNA methylome and chromosome ploidy in the oocytes. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: All IVV oocytes were donated by patients who received 150 IU gonadotropin per day from the third day of their menstrual cycle, followed by GnRH antagonist after 5 days of gonadotropin stimulation. All IVT oocytes were from immature oocytes which were donated by volunteers undergoing delivery by caesarean section then cultured in oocyte maturation medium containing 75 mIU/ml hMG for 24 to 48 h. Every single oocyte was analysed using the previously established single-cell multiomic sequencing analysis. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: There were 507 genes differentially expressed between the IVV (n = 8) and IVT (n = 7) oocytes, even though their global transcriptome profiles were similar. The enriched genes in IVV oocytes were related to the cell cycle process while those in IVT oocytes were related to mitochondrial respiration biogenesis. Although the global CpG methylation of the two groups of oocytes was similar, the non-CpG methylation level in IVV oocytes was higher than that in IVT oocytes. A high aneuploidy ratio was found in both groups, but the aneuploidy did not affect transcription according to the correlation analysis. LARGE-SCALE DATA: N/A. LIMITATIONS AND REASONS FOR CAUTION: Due to the difficulty in collecting MII oocytes, especially IVV matured oocytes, the sample size was limited. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Our findings indicate that single-cell multiomic sequencing can be utilised to examine the similarity and differences between IVV and IVT matured MII oocytes. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): This work was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, National Key R&D Program of China (No. 2017YFC1001601). The donated oocytes were collected by Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital. The authors declare no competing interests.

Echinicola soli sp. nov., isolated from alkaline saline soil.

Strains of Echinicola, thought to play vital roles in the environment for their high enzyme production capacity during decomposition of polysaccharides, are ubiquitous in hypersaline environments. A Gram-negative, non-spore forming, gliding, aerobic bacterial strain, designated LN3S3T, was isolated from alkaline saline soil sampled in Tumd Right Banner, Inner Mongolia, northern PR China. Strain LN3S3T grew at 10-40 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 5.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 8.0) and with 0-12.5 % NaCl (optimum, 2.0 %). A phylogenetic tree based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain LN3S3T clustered with Echinicola rosea JL3085T and Echinicola strongylocentroti MEBiC08714T, sharing 97.0, 96.7 and <96.50 % of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to E. rosea JL3085T, E. strongylocentroti MEBiC08714T and all other type strains. MK-7 was the major respiratory quinone, while phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified phospholipids, an unidentified aminophospholipid, an unidentified lipid and two unidentified aminolipids were the major polar lipids. Its major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c). The genome consisted of a circular 5 550 304 bp long chromosome with a DNA G+C content of 44.0 mol%. The average nucleotide identity (ANI), average amino acid identity (AAI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values of strain LN3S3T to E. rosea JL3085T and E. strongylocentroti MEBiC08714T were 82.5 and 81.5 %, 87.5 and 86.0 %, and 39.1 and 35.1 %, respectively. Based on physiological, genotypic and phylogenetic analyses, strain LN3S3T could be discriminated from its phylogenetic relatives. Echinicola soli sp. nov. is therefore proposed with strain LN3S3T (=CGMCC 1.17081T=KCTC 72458T) as the type strain.

Complete Genome Sequence of Sphingobacterium psychroaquaticum Strain SJ-25, an Aerobic Bacterium Capable of Suppressing Fungal Pathogens.

Using antagonistic bacterium is an effective method to control plant disease by fungal pathogens. An aerobic bacterium designated SJ-25, capable of suppressing Fusarium graminearum, Exserohilum turcicum, Pythium aphanidermatum, and Cochliobolus sativus, was isolated from farmland soil. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that strain SJ-25 belongs to the species of Sphingobacterium psychroaquaticum. The genome of strain SJ-25 consists of a 4,396,535-bp chromosome with a G+C content of 41.7 mol%; including 3696 CDS, 64 tRNA genes and six rRNA operons. Genomic analysis revealed that its genome contains multiple genes responsible for biosynthesis of siderophore, methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, chitinase, giving strain SJ-25 the antagonistic ability on fungi pathogen. Strain SJ-25 harbors sets genes responsible for production of 2, 3-butanediol and salicylic acid, which could elicit the induced systemic resistance of the host plant. This genome sequence could be used as a basis material for further exploration of antagonistic mechanisms on fungi, widening our understanding of the ecological role of the genus Sphingobacterium in farmland ecosystem.

Syntheses and Structure-Activity Relationships in Antibacterial Activity against Clostridium difficile and XBP1 Activation Property of 13-[(N-Alkylamino)methyl]-8-oxodihydrocoptisines.

13-[(N-Alkylamino)methyl]-8-oxodihydrocoptisines were synthesized to evaluate antibacterial activity against Clostridium difficile and activating x-box-binding protein 1 (XBP1) activity, biological properties both associated with ulcerative colitis. Improving structural stability and ameliorating biological activity were major concerns. Different substituents on the structural modification site were involved to explore the influence of diverse structures on the bioactivities. The target compounds exhibited the desired activities with definite structure-activity relationship. In the series of 13-[(N-n-alkylamino)methyl]-8-oxodihydrocoptisines, the length of n-alkyl groups has a definite effect on the bioactivity, elongation of the length increasing the antibacterial activity. The synthesized compounds were determined to display strong or weak XBP1-activating activity in vitro. The preliminary results of this study warrant further medicinal chemistry studies on these synthesized compounds.

[A preliminary study on the construction of the triad medical experimental system].

The traditional medical experiment based on animal studies fails to reflect competency-oriented goal, and is not closely combined with clinical and scientific research, which does not meet the need for early clinical and scientific training. In order to cultivate the first-class medical talents, medical experimental teaching should conform to the trend of modern medical education, innovate teaching ideas and models, and update the hardware and software in time. Therefore, our teaching center adopts the triad medical experimental system which consists of "animal experiments, human functional experiments, and electronic standardized patient (ESP)-based virtual simulation experiments", and uses one system to integrate basic and clinical medicine, practice and virtual learning, teaching and scientific training. The system retains the core content of traditional animal experiments, and includes the most mature and widely used human physiological experiments to increase students' learning experience. With medical simulation experiment, it explains the specific physiological and pathophysiological processes of human body to improve students' cognitive and thinking ability. Here, we provide a systematic description on our triad medical experimental system, and discuss the experience to establish this novel system.

[Building virtual simulation teaching platform based on electronic standardized patient].

Informatization is an effective way to promote the reform and innovation of higher education and improve its quality. Virtual simulation teaching is indispensable in the educational informatization. Here, we describe the development and current situation of virtual simulation teaching, and introduce electronic standardized patient (ESP) based-virtual human body system powered by the real-time human physiological parameters. We also discuss how to build an ESP-based community in the teaching of human physiology, preclinical integrated case learning and other teaching projects. These ESP-based virtual simulation projects display the advantages of interdisciplinary fusion and the combination of basic and clinical knowledge, and open up the third type of functional experiments. Therefore, ESP-based virtual simulation teaching platform presumably becomes a considerable option for the first-class course construction in physiology.

Qingshengfaniella alkalisoli gen. nov., sp. nov., a p-hydroxybenzoate-degrading strain isolated from saline soil.

p-Hydroxybenzoate is an allelopathic compound commonly found in soil from long-term monoculture cropping systems. During the bacterial diversity analysis of saline soil, a Gram-negative, non-spore forming, non-motile, aerobic p-hydroxybenzoate-degrading bacterial strain, designated LN3S51T, was isolated from saline soil which was sampled from Tumd Right Banner, Inner Mongolia, northern China. Strain LN3S51T grew at 4-40 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 5.0-10.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and 0-15 % NaCl (optimum 3.0 %). Though strain LN3S51T has the highest 16S rRNA gene similarities to Litoreibacter ponti GJSW-31T (96.0 %), the phylogenetic tree based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that it clustered with Fluviibacterium aquatile SM1902T (95.8 %), Meridianimarinicoccus roseus TG-679T (93.9 %), and Phycocomes zhengii LMIT002T (93.9 %). Strain LN3S51T contained Q-10 as the major ubiquinone. Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylcholine (PC), diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), an unidentified aminolipid (AL), and two unidentified lipids (L) were the major polar lipids. The major fatty acids were sum feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c and/or C18 : 1 ω6c), C16 : 0, C18 : 0, and C18 : 1 ω7c 11-methyl. The genome of strain LN3S51T consisted of a 2 257 066 bp chromosome and four plasmids with a 59.1 mol% of genomic DNA G+C content. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization score (dDDH) values of strain LN3S51T to F. aquatile SM1902T, M. roseus TG-679T, P. zhengii LMIT002T, and L. ponti GJSW-31T were 69.6, 70.9, 70.6, and 69.5 %, and 20.0, 19.5, 19.0, and 20.0 %, respectively. Based on the results of phylogenetic, chemtaxonomic and phenotypic characterization, strain LN3S51T is considered to represent a novel species in a new genus within the family Rhodobacteraceae, for which Qingshengfaniella alkalisoli gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LN3S51T (=CGMCC 1.17099T=KCTC 72457T).

[Prenatal diagnosis for a pedigree affected with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome due to a subtle chromosomal translocation].

OBJECTIVE: To make molecular diagnosis of an infant affected with severe developmental delay and multiple birth defects, assisting prenatal diagnosis for the second pregnancy. METHODS: Standard G-banded karyotyping was performed for the fetus and his parents. Single nucleotide polymorphism array (SNP array) was used to detect submicroscopic chromosomal aberration. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was employed to determine the parental origin of the aberration. RESULTS: Both the proband and the fetus harbored a 5.4 Mb distal 4p deletion and a 6.9 Mb distal 6q duplication. FISH confirmed that the mother has carried a balanced translocation involving 4p and 6q. CONCLUSION: The unbalanced chromosomal aberration in the proband and the fetus were both derived from the mother. Both patients showed a Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrom phenotype and partial phenotype of 6q trisomy. SNP array combined with FISH are essential for the detection of cryptic chromosomal aberrations which may be missed by coventional karyotyping analysis.

Preparation and Visible-Light Driven Photocatalytic Properties of CuS/Reduced Graphene Oxide Composites.

The CuS/RGO composites were prepared using a facile one-step solvothermal method. The asobtained samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectra, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunner-Emmet-Teller (BET) measurements and UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The results showed that the CuS particles were uniformly dispersed on the surface of RGO and electronic migration effect existed between RGO and CuS. The photocatalytic activity of CuS/RGO composites was evaluated by the degradation of Cationic blue SD-BL, Cationic red X-5GN, Direct blue 86, Reactive blue KN-R, Methylene blue and Rhodamine B under visible light irradiation. The photocatalytic experiments showed that the CuS/RGO composites exhibited a better photocatalytic performance for organic dyes with absence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) due to the inhibition of recombination of electron-hole pair induced on the surface of CuS. The photodegradation ratio of Cationic blue SD-BL, Cationic red X-5GN, Direct blue 86, Reactive blue KN-R, Methylene blue and Rhodamine B increased to 100%, 95.8%, 99.5%, 87.8%, 100%, 81% after 75 min of irradiation, respectively. Moreover, no significant decline of CuS/RGO photocatalyst for photodegradation of dyes was observed after five cycles, indicating better photostability of the samples. Thus, the CuS/RGO composites could have a promising application in wastewater treatment.

Prenatal diagnosis of Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome: from ultrasound findings, diagnostic technology to genetic counseling.

PURPOSE: Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome (WHS) is a contiguous gene syndrome due to terminal chromosome 4p deletions. We explored prenatal diagnosis of WHS by ultrasound as well as karyotype and single nucleotide polymorphism array (SNP array) to characterize the structural variants of WHS prenatally. METHODS: Ten prenatal cases of WHS were evaluated for the indication of the invasive testing, the ultrasound features, and cytogenetic and microarray results. RESULTS: Eight cases were diagnosed by karyotyping and SNP array, while two cases were detected only by SNP array. Combining our cases with 37 prenatal cases from the literature, the most common sonographic features were IUGR (97.7%) and typical facial appearance (82.9%). Other less common phenotypes included renal hypoplasia (36.2%), cardiac malformation (29.8%), cleft lip and palate (25.5%), cerebral abnormalities (25.5%), skeletal anomalies (21.3%), and increased nuchal translucency/nuchal fold thickness (NT/NF) (19%). CONCLUSIONS: The most common intrauterine phenotypes of WHS were severe IUGR and typical facial appearance with other less consistent ultrasound findings. Noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is one very promising screening tool for WHS. SNP array can improve diagnostic precision for detecting WHS, especially for the cryptic aberrations that cannot be identified by the traditional karyotyping. Ectopic kidney may be a previously unrecognized phenotype of WHS.

[Effect of traditional Chinese medicine in inhibiting obesity and inflammatory diseases by regulating gut microbiota].

Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) has been increasingly used in the prevention and treatment of obesity and obesity-related diseases. However, its mechanism of action is not yet clear. In recent years, with the development of high-throughput sequencing technology, scientific researches have found that the disorder of gut microbiota is associated with obesity and other diseases. Furthermore, it has been found that TCM can improve the structure of gut microbiota by increasing probiotics and reducing pathogens, which play an importent role in preventing the development and progression of obesity and other diseases. This article first explores the possible association between intestinal microbiota and obesity. Then, it reviews the traditional Chinese medicine and its role in regulating intestinal microbiota for the prevention and treatment of diseases, including obesity and inflammation, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease and other diseases, in theexpectation of new strategies and research direction for treating obesity and relevant diseases, and providing important guidance for further studies in this field in the future.

Protein kinase LKB1 regulates polarized dendrite formation of adult hippocampal newborn neurons.

Adult-born granule cells in the dentate gyrus of the rodent hippocampus are important for memory formation and mood regulation, but the cellular mechanism underlying their polarized development, a process critical for their incorporation into functional circuits, remains unknown. We found that deletion of the serine-threonine protein kinase LKB1 or overexpression of dominant-negative LKB1 reduced the polarized initiation of the primary dendrite from the soma and disrupted its oriented growth toward the molecular layer. This abnormality correlated with the dispersion of Golgi apparatus that normally accumulated at the base and within the initial segment of the primary dendrite, and was mimicked by disrupting Golgi organization via altering the expression of Golgi structural proteins GM130 or GRASP65. Thus, besides its known function in axon formation in embryonic pyramidal neurons, LKB1 plays an additional role in regulating polarized dendrite morphogenesis in adult-born granule cells in the hippocampus.

Combined effects of Chinese medicine feed and ginger extract bath on co-infection of Ichthyophthirius multifiliis and Dactylogyrus ctenopharyngodonid in grass carp.

Dactylogyrus ctenopharyngodonid and Ichthyophthirius multifiliis are two important ectoparasites of freshwater fish. Co-infection by the two parasites leads to high fish mortality and results in heavy economic losses. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of medicated feed and a ginger extract bath against D. ctenopharyngodonid and I. multifiliis on grass carp and investigate the hematological response of grass carp co-infected by the two parasites. These results demonstrated that red blood cell (RBC) and thrombocyte percentage among leucocytes significantly decreased after grass carp were co-infected by D. ctenopharyngodonid and I. multifiliis. The monocyte and neutrophil percentages significantly increased with the increment of parasite mean intensities, while the lymphocyte percentage decreased. The activities of serum acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), lysozyme (LZM), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) significantly increased after co-infection. When grass carp treated with medicated feed containing 4% of Astragalus membranaceus, Allium sativum, Morus alba, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis, the activities of ACP, AKP, LZM, and SOD were significantly enhanced, and the mean intensities of D. ctenopharyngodonid and I. multifiliis were significantly decreased. When grass carp was treated with medicated feed and a 4-mg/L ginger extract bath, all parasites were eliminated during 28 days. The bath of ginger extract at a concentration of 4 mg/L kept a low mean intensity of I. multifiliis and D. ctenopharyngodonid, then the two parasites were eliminated by oral administration of the medicated feed with an immunostimulant (Chinese medicine compound).

Salusin-ß contributes to vascular remodeling associated with hypertension via promoting vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and vascular fibrosis.

Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and vascular fibrosis are closely linked with hypertension and atherosclerosis. Salusin-ß is a bioactive peptide involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. However, it is still largely undefined whether salusin-ß is a potential candidate in the VSMC proliferation and vascular fibrosis. Experiments were carried out in human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and in rats with intravenous injection of lentivirus expressing salusin-ß. In vitro, salusin-ß promoted VSMCs proliferation, which was attenuated by adenylate cyclase inhibitor SQ22536, PKA inhibitor Rp-cAMP, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor AG1478, ERK inhibitor U0126 or cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) inhibitor KG501. It promoted the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, CREB and EGFR, which were abolished by SQ22536 or Rp-cAMP. Furthermore, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor AG1478 diminished the salusin-ß-evoked ERK1/2 and CREB phosphorylation. On the other hand, salusin-ß increased collagen-I, collagen-III, fibronectin and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) mRNA and phosphorylation of Smad2/3, which were prevented by ALK5 inhibitor A83-01. In vivo, salusin-ß overexpression increased the media thickness, media/lumen ratio coupled with ERK1/2, CREB, EGFR and Smad2/3 phosphorylation, as well as the mRNA of collagen-I, collagen-III, fibronectin, transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) and CTGF in arteries. Moreover, salusin-ß overexpression in rats caused severe hypertension. Intravenous injection of salusin-ß dose-relatedly increased blood pressure, but excessive salusin-ß decreased blood pressure and heart rate. These results indicate that salusin-ß promotes VSMC proliferation via cAMP-PKA-EGFR-CREB/ERK pathway and vascular fibrosis via TGF-ß1-Smad pathway. Increased salusin-ß contributes to vascular remodeling and hypertension.