Expression and functional analysis of an odorant binding protein PopeOBP16 from Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller).

Odorant binding proteins (OBPs) are essential proteins in the peripheral olfactory system, responsible for odorant recognition and transport to olfactory receptors. Phthorimaea operculella (potato tuber moth) is an important oligophagous pest on Solanaceae crops in many countries and regions. PopeOBP16 is one of the OBPs in potato tuber moth. This study examined the expression profiles of PopeOBP16. The results of qPCR indicated that PopeOBP16 was highly expressed in the antennae of adults, especially in males, suggesting that it may be involved in odor recognition in adults. The electroantennogram (EAG) was used to screen candidate compounds with the antennae of P. operculella. The relative affinities of PopeOBP16 to 27 host volatiles and two sex pheromone components with the highest relative EAG responses were examined with competitive fluorescence-based binding assays. PopeOBP16 had the strongest binding affinity with the plant volatiles: nerol, 2-phenylethanol, linalool, 1,8-cineole, benzaldehyde, ß-pinene, d-limonene, terpinolene, α-terpinene, and the sex pheromone component trans-4, cis-7, cis-10-tridecatrien-1-ol acetate. The results provide a foundation for further research into the functioning of the olfactory system and the potential development of green chemistry for control of the potato tuber moth.

Chromosomal-level genome assembly of potato tuberworm, Phthorimaea operculella: a pest of solanaceous crops.

The potato tuberworm, Phthorimaea operculella Zeller, is an oligophagous pest feeding on crops mainly belonging to the family Solanaceae. It is one of the most destructive pests of potato worldwide and attacks foliage and tubers in the field and in storage. However, the lack of a high-quality reference genome has hindered the association of phenotypic traits with their genetic basis. Here, we report on the genome assembly of P. operculella at the chromosomal level. Using Illumina, Nanopore and Hi-C sequencing, a 648.2 Mb genome was generated from 665 contigs, with an N50 length of 3.2 Mb, and 92.0% (596/648.2 Mb) of the assembly was anchored to 29 chromosomes. In total, 16619 genes were annotated, and 92.4% of BUSCO genes were fully represented. The chromosome-level genome of P. operculella will provide a significant resource for understanding the genetic basis for the biological study of this insect, and for promoting the integrative management of this pest in future.

Effects of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) on Pregnancy/Neonatal Outcomes and Maternal Glycemic Control: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: No systematic review to date has appraised the impact of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan on maternal glycemic control and pregnancy outcomes. Thus, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) to ascertain whether the DASH diet in pregnant women ameliorates their glycemic control and neonatal outcomes when compared to standard diets. METHODS: We performed a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs on PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and Embase from the inception until October 2019. RESULTS: Six studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the quantitative meta-analysis. The pregnant women had cardiometabolic disorders such as gestational diabetes, obesity, and hypertension. The meta-analysis suggested a significant effect of DASH diet on fasting plasma levels of glucose (WMD = -6.239 mg/dl; 95% CI: -11.915, -0.563, p = 0.031), but not for the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (WMD = -1.038; 95% CI: -2.704, 0.627, p = 0.22). Following the DASH diet during pregnancy decreased the risk of gestational preeclampsia (RR = 0.667; 95% CI: 0.451, 0.987, p = 0.043), macrosomia (birth weight >4000 g) (RR = 0.294; 95% CI: 0.120, 0.721, p = 0.043), and large for gestational age (RR = 0.452; 95% CI: 0.211, 0.969, p = 0.041). Consuming DASH diet during pregnancy neither increased nor decreased the risk of cesarean section, polyhydramnios, preterm birth (<37 weeks), and small for gestational age. The mean newborn head circumference (cm) (WMD = -0.807; 95% CI: -1.283, -0.331, p = 0.001) and ponderal index (kg/m3) (RR = -0.396; 95% CI: -0.441, -0.350, p = 0.000) in the group receiving the DASH diet were lower than in the control group. CONCLUSION: The adherence of pregnant women with cardiometabolic disorders to DASH eating pattern has a significant effect on decreasing fasting plasma glucose levels, ponderal index, incidence of preeclampsia, fetal macrosomia, large for gestational age, and newborn head circumference.

Clinical Epidemiology of Mineral Bone Disorder Markers in Prevalent Hemodialysis Patients in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in China.

We investigated the clinical epidemiology of mineral bone disorder markers in prevalent hemodialysis (HD) patients in Xinjiang, the largest province in China. Data were obtained from 59 hospitals. A total of 3725 patients tracked from January 1 to December 31, 2014, were enrolled. Serum calcium (Ca) levels, phosphorus (P) levels, and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels were analyzed. Serum Ca levels were lower compared to the International Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS4) and the Chinese DOPPS. The hypercalcemia rate was similar to DOPPS4 and lower than in the Chinese DOPPS. Serum P levels were higher than in DOPPS4 and lower than those in the Chinese DOPPS. Hyperphosphatemia rates were higher than DOPPS4 and lower than Chinese DOPPS. Serum iPTH levels were higher than in DOPPS4 and the Chinese DOPPS. We demonstrated higher serum P and iPTH levels in Xinjiang HD patients than in the DOPPS4 and Chinese DOPPS. In contrast, serum Ca levels were lower than the other two studies. High hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia rates may suggest that HD services in Xinjiang are inadequate. A multidiscipline chronic kidney disease (CKD) care program needs to be established to improve chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) target achievement in Xinjiang.

Effect of potassium supplementation on vascular function: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Effects of potassium supplementation on vascular function remain conflicting. This meta-analysis aimed to summarized current literature to fill the gaps in knowledge. METHODS: A literature search was performed on PubMed database through April, 2016. The measurements of vascular function included pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index (AI), pulse pressure (PP), flow mediated dilatation (FMD), glycerol trinitrate responses (GTN), and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Data were pooled as standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Seven randomized controlled trials examining 409 participants were included, with dosage of potassium ranging from 40 to 150mmol/day, and duration of intervention from 6days to 12months. Pooling results revealed a significant improvement in PP (SMD -0.280, 95% CI -0.493 to -0.067, p=0.010), but no improvement in PWV (SMD -0.342, 95% CI -1.123 to 0·440, p=0.391), AI (SMD -0.114, 95% CI -0.282 to 0.054, p=0.184), FMD (SMD 0·278, 95% CI -0.321 to 0.877, p=0.363), GTN (SMD -0.009, 95% CI -0.949 to 0.930, p=0.984), and ICAM-1 (SMD -0.238, 95% CI -0.720 to 0.244, p=0.333). CONCLUSIONS: Potassium supplementation was associated with significant improvement of PP, rather than other measurements of vascular function. However, the small number of researches and wide variation of evidences make it difficult to make a definitive conclusion.

Study on the antibacterial activity of Bergenia purpurascens extract.

BACKGROUND: Bergenia purpurascens has tonic, haemostatic and anti-tussive actions. Anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial activities of Bergenia purpurascens have not been reported so far. The objective of this paper is to provide experimental basis for the clinical application of Bergenia purpurascens through the pharmacodynamic study on its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effects. METHODS: Experimental models of xylene-induced ear edema in mice, cotton pellet granuloma in rats, and acetic acid-induced peritoneal capillary permeability in mice were used to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of Bergenia purpurascens; bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects of Bergenia purpurascens extract on Staphylococcus aureus (SA), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and ß-lactamase positive Staphylococcus aureus (ESBLs-SA), were observed in vitro. RESULTS: The results show that Bergenia purpurascens extract could markedly inhibit xylene-induced mouse ear edema, cotton pellet granulation tissue hyperplasia, and increased capillary permeability. Bergenia purpurascens extract has an inhibitory effect on SA, MRSA and ESBLs-SA. CONCLUSION: We conclude that Bergenia purpurascens extract has certain anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effects.

[Effects of linggui zhugan decoction combined calorie restriction on the insulin resistance of model rats and mechanisms research].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of Linggui Zhugan Decoction (LZD) combined calorie restriction on fasting plasma glucose (FPG), the insulin resistance (IR), and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-gamma) of IR model rats. METHODS: Totally 48 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the control group, the model group, the calorie restriction group, and the TCM + calorie restriction group, 12 in each group. Ordinary forage was given to those in the control group, and high fat diet was fed to those in the rest 3 groups for 12 weeks to establish the IR model. After successful modeling, rats in the control group and the model group were continually fed with the original farage for 4 days. The normal saline at the daily dose of 20 mL/kg was given to them by gastrogavage. The normal saline at the daily dose of 20 mL/kg was given to rats in the calorie restriction group by gastrogavage after 4-day calorie restriction. LZD at the daily dose of 20 mL/kg was given to rats in the TCM +calorie restriction group by gastrogavage after 4-day calorie restriction. The body weight, FPG, serum fasting insulin (FINS), insulin resistance index (IRI), and the protein expression of PPAR-y in the omental adipose tissue were compared. RESULTS: After 4-day calorie restriction, the body weight obviously decreased in the calorie restriction group and the TCM +calorie restriction group, when compared with the model group (P <0.01). There was no statistical difference between the former two groups (P >0.05). The FINS and IRI obviously decreased in the calorie restriction group (P <0.01, P <0.05). The FPG, FINS, and IRI significantly decreased in the TCM + calorie restriction group (P <0. 05, P <0.01). The protein expression of PPAR-gamma obviously decreased in the calorie restriction group and the TCM + calorie restriction group (P <0.01).The phlegm dampness state was alleviated, with more significant effects shown in the TCM + calorie restriction group. CONCLUSIONS: LZD combined calorie restriction could reduce the body weight, FPG, and IRI of IR rats. Besides, it showed better effects than calorie restriction alone. Its effects in improving IR might be correlated with inhibiting the activities of PPAR-gamma. Meanwhile, it might play a role in inhibiting the differentiation of fat cells.

Simultaneous determination of berberine, palmatine and jatrorrhizine by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in rat plasma and its application in a pharmacokinetic study after oral administration of coptis-evodia herb couple.

A rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed to simultaneously determine berberine, palmatine and jatrorrhizine in rat plasma. After mixing with the internal standard (IS) tetrahydropalmatine, plasma samples were pretreated by protein precipitation with acetonitrile-methanol (1:2, v/v). Chromatographic separation was carried out on a C18 column using a mixture of water (containing 0.1% formic acid) and acetonitrile (30:70, v/v) as mobile phase. The detection was performed by selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode via electrospray ionization (ESI) source operating in the positive ionization mode. The method was linear over the concentration range of 1.0-250.0 ng/mL for all components. The intra- and inter-day precision values were less than 14.6% and the deviations were within +/-4.0%. The fully validated LC-MS/MS method has been successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of berberine, palmatine and jatrorrhizine in rat plasma after oral administration of coptis-evodia herb couple. Three peaks were observed in both individual and mean plasma-concentration curves of berberine, palmatine and jatrorrhizine, which may be attributed to distribution re-absorption and enterohepatic circulation.

[Study on the pharmacokinetics of scutellarin in dogs].

AIM: To determine scutellarin in dog plasma and study the pharmacokinetics of scutellarin in the dog. METHODS: Scutellarin in plasma of six dogs at different sampling time was determined after single dose of 120 mg i.v. by RP-HPLC. The mean plasma concentration-time curve was protracted and pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated. RESULTS: The concentration-time curve of scutellarin can be fitted to a three-compartment model with the main pharmacokinetic parameters as follows: T1/2 gamma, T1/2 alpha and T1/2 beta were (1.1 +/- 0.8) min, (7.0 +/- 2.8) min and (52 +/- 29) min, respectively, Vc was (880 +/- 508) mL, CL was (190 +/- 54) mL.min-1, AUC0-90 and AUC0-infinity were (574 +/- 134) mg.min.L-1 and (559 +/- 132) mg.min.L-1 respectively. CONCLUSION: The concentration of scutellarin in plasma declined rapidly after single dose of 120 mg i.v. in dogs, and this suggested that the T1/2 of scutellarin should be taken into account in preparation exploitation and drug administration.