Different fuel regulation in two types of myofiber results in different antioxidant strategies in Daurian ground squirrels (Spermophilus dauricus) during hibernation.

We previously showed that different skeletal muscles in Daurian ground squirrels (Spermophilus dauricus) possess different antioxidant strategies during hibernation; however, the reason for these varied strategies remains unclear. To clarify this issue, we studied REDD1, FOXO4, PGC-1α, FOXO1 and atrogin-1 proteins to determine the potential cause of the different antioxidant strategies in Daurian ground squirrels during hibernation, and to clarify whether different strategies affect atrophy-related signals. Results showed that the soleus (SOL) muscle experienced intracellular hypoxia during interbout arousal, but no oxidative stress. This may be due to increased PGC-1α expression enhancing antioxidant capacity in the SOL under hypoxic conditions. Extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle showed no change in oxidative stress, hypoxia or antioxidant capacity during hibernation. The FOXO1 and PGC-1α results strongly suggested differentially regulated fuel metabolism in the SOL and EDL muscles during hibernation, i.e. enhanced lipid oxidation and maintained anaerobic glycolysis, respectively. Atrogin-1 expression did not increase during hibernation in either the SOL or EDL, indicating that protein synthesis was not inhibited by atrogin-1. Thus, our results suggest that different fuel regulation may be one mechanism related to antioxidant defense strategy formation in different kinds of skeletal muscle fibers of Daurian ground squirrels during hibernation.

Different fuel regulation in two types of myofiber results in different antioxidant strategies in Daurian ground squirrels (Spermophilus dauricus) during hibernation.

We previously showed that different skeletal muscles in Daurian ground squirrels (Spermophilus dauricus) possess different antioxidant strategies during hibernation; however, the reason for these varied strategies remains unclear. To clarify this issue, we studied REDD1, FOXO4, PGC-1α, FOXO1, and atrogin-1 proteins to determine the potential cause of the different antioxidant strategies in Daurian ground squirrels during hibernation, and to clarify whether different strategies affect atrophy-related signals. Results showed that the soleus (SOL) muscle experienced intracellular hypoxia during interbout arousal, but no oxidative stress. This may be due to increased PGC-1α expression enhancing antioxidant capacity in the SOL under hypoxic conditions. Extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle showed no change in oxidative stress, hypoxia, or antioxidant capacity during hibernation. The FOXO1 and PGC-1α results strongly suggested differentially regulated fuel metabolism in the SOL and EDL muscles during hibernation, i.e., enhanced lipid oxidation and maintained anaerobic glycolysis, respectively. Atrogin-1 expression did not increase during hibernation in either the SOL or EDL, indicating that protein synthesis was not inhibited by atrogin-1. Thus, our results suggest that different fuel regulation may be one mechanism related to antioxidant defense strategy formation in different kinds of skeletal muscle fibers of Daurian ground squirrels during hibernation.

IDENTIFICATION AND EXPRESSION ANALYSIS OF VITELLOGENIN RECEPTOR FROM THE WILD SILKWORM, Bombyx mandarina.

The vitellogenin receptor (VgR) plays a key role on embryonic development in oviparous animals. Here, we cloned a VgR gene, which was identified from the wild silkworm Bombyx mandarina (BmaVgR) using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). Sequence analysis revealed that BmaVgR is 5,861 bp long with an open reading frame encoded by 1,811 amino acid residues. The predicted amino acid sequence has 99.7 and 98.2% identity with the VgRs of Actias selene and Bombyx mori, respectively. The class B domain sequence of BmaVgR was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli, and purified by a Ni-NTA column. Polyclonal antibodies were produced against the purified recombinant protein, and titer of the antibody was about 1:12,800 measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Western blot and RT-qPCR showed that BmaVgR was expressed in the ovary and fat body of female larvae and the ovary of moth, and the expression level was highest at the third day and then declined from third day to seventh in fat body of pupa. After knockdown of the BmaVgR gene through RNA interference (RNAi), other three BmaVgR-related genes (Vg, egg-specific protein, and low molecular weight lipoprotein LP gene) were all downregulated significantly.

A third polymorph of 1,4-bis-(1H-benzimid-azol-2-yl)benzene.

The title compound, C20H14N4, is a new polymorph of the previously reported structures, which were ortho-rhom-bic, space group Pbca [Bei et al. (2000). Acta Cryst. C56, 718-719] and monoclinic, space group P21/c [Dudd et al. (2003). Green Chem. 5, 187-192]. The asymmetric unit consists of two independent mol-ecules in which the dihedral angels between the central benzene ring and the outer benzimidazole ring systems are 16.81 (10) and 14.23 (10)° in one molecule and 26.09 (10) and 37.29 (10)° in the other. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by N-H⋯N and C-H⋯N hydrogen bonds into a tape running along the c-axis direction.

Identification of immune response-related genes in the Chinese oak silkworm, Antheraea pernyi by suppression subtractive hybridization.

Insects possess an innate immune system that responds to invading microorganisms. In this study, a subtractive cDNA library was constructed to screen for immune response-related genes in the fat bodies of Antheraea pernyi (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) pupa challenged with Escherichia coli. Four hundred putative EST clones were identified by suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH), including 50 immune response-related genes, three cytoskeleton genes, eight cell cycle and apoptosis genes, five respiration and energy metabolism genes, five transport genes, 40 metabolism genes, ten stress response genes, four transcription and translation regulation genes and 77 unknown genes. To verify the reliability of the SSH data, the transcription of a set of randomly selected immune response-related genes were confirmed by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR). These identified immune response-related genes provide insight into understanding the innate immunity in A. pernyi.

(4,6-Dimethyl-2-sulfanylidenepyrimidin-1-ium) trichlorido(thiourea-κS)zinc(II).

The title compound, (C6H9N2S)[ZnCl3{SC(NH2)2}], exists as a zincate where the zinc(II) centre is coordinated by three chloride ligands and a thiourea ligand to form the anion. The organic cation adopts the protonated 4,6-dimethyl-2-sulfanylidenepyrimidin-1-ium (L) form of 4,6-dimethylpyrimidine-2(1H)-thione. Two short N-H···Cl hydrogen bonds involving the pyrimidine H atoms and the [ZnCl3L](-) anion form a crystallographically centrosymmetric dimeric unit consisting of two anions and two cations. The packing structure is completed by longer-range hydrogen bonds donated by the thiourea NH2 groups to chloride ligand hydrogen-bond acceptors.

4,6-Dimethyl-pyrimidin-2-amine.

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C6H9N3, contains three crystallographically independent mol-ecules of similar geometry. All of the mol-ecules are almost planar, with r.m.s. deviations of 0.003, 0.016 and 0.005 Å. In the crystal, the mol-ecules are linked by N-H⋯N hydrogen bonds into zigzag ribbons parallel to the c axis, generating rings of R2(2)(8) graph-set motif.

Leopard predation on wild Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys.

Predation is widely recognized as a powerful selective pressure on primate behavior and ecology, although knowledge of predator-prey relationships remains limited partly due to the rarity of directly observed attacks on primates. Here, we describe four confirmed or suspected instances of leopard (Panthera pardus) predation on free-ranging Sichuan (golden) snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana), a highly endangered colobine species endemic to China. We recorded predation events and the reactions of monkey group members. We suggest that the evolution of a multilevel society may be an adaptive response by Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys to the risk from leopards as well as other potential predators, one that balances the pressures of predation and intra-species competition and conflict.

Genomic analysis of indigenous goats in Southwest Asia reveals evidence of ancient adaptive introgression related to desert climate.

Understanding how evolutionary pressures related to climate change have shaped the current genetic background of domestic animals is a fundamental pursuit of biology. Here, we generated whole-genome sequencing data from native goat populations in Iraq and Pakistan. Combined with previously published data on modern, ancient (Late Neolithic to Medieval periods), and wild Capra species worldwide, we explored the genetic population structure, ancestry components, and signatures of natural positive selection in native goat populations in Southwest Asia (SWA). Results revealed that the genetic structure of SWA goats was deeply influenced by gene flow from the eastern Mediterranean during the Chalcolithic period, which may reflect adaptation to gradual warming and aridity in the region. Furthermore, comparative genomic analysis revealed adaptive introgression of the KITLG locus from the Nubian ibex ( C. nubiana) into African and SWA goats. The frequency of the selected allele at this locus was significantly higher among goat populations located near northeastern Africa. These results provide new insights into the genetic composition and history of goat populations in the SWA region.

3-Chloro-meth-yl-2-hy-droxy-benzaldehyde.

In the title compound, C(8)H(7)ClO(2), the hydroxyl and aldehyde groups are co-planar with the benzene ring [maximum deviation 0.018 (3) Å], and the Cl-C-C plane is almost perpendicular to the benzene ring [dihedral angle 83.7 (2)°]. An intra-molecular O-H⋯O hydrogen bond occurs between the hydroxyl and aldehyde groups.

Microbiome changes in the gastric mucosa and gastric juice in different histological stages of Helicobacter pylori-negative gastric cancers.

BACKGROUND: The gastric microbiota in patients with gastric cancer (GC) has received increasing attention, but the profiling of the gastric microbiome through the histological stages of gastric tumorigenesis remains poorly understood, especially for patients with Helicobacter pylori-negative GC (HPNGC). AIM: To characterize microbial profiles of gastric mucosa and juice for HPNGC carcinogenesis and identify distinct taxa in precancerous lesions. METHODS: The 16S rRNA gene analysis was performed on gastric mucosa from 134 Helicobacter pylori-negative cases, including 56 superficial gastritis (SG), 9 atrophic gastritis (AG), 27 intestinal metaplasia (IM), 29 dysplasia (Dys), and 13 GC cases, to investigate differences in gastric microbial diversity and composition across the disease stages. In addition, paired gastric mucosa and juice samples from 18 SG, 18 IM, and 18 Dys samples were analyzed. α-Diversity was measured by Shannon and Chao1 indexes, and ß-diversity was calculated using partial least squares discrimination analysis (PLS-DA). Differences in the microbial composition across disease stages in different sample types were assessed using the linear discriminant analysis effect size. RESULTS: The diversity and composition of the bacterial microbiota in the gastric mucosa changed progressively across stages of gastric carcinogenesis. The diversity of the gastric mucosa microbiota was found to be significantly lower in the IM and Dys groups than in the SG group, and the patients with GC had the lowest bacterial community richness (P < 0.05). Patients with IM and those with Dys had similar gastric mucosa microbiota profiles with Ralstonia and Rhodococcus as the predominant genera. Microbial network analysis showed that there was increasing correlation strength between IM and Dys (|correlation threshold|≥ 0.5, P < 0.05). GC and its precancerous lesions have distinguishable bacterial taxa; our results identified HPNGC-associated bacteria Streptococcaceae and Lactobacillaceae (P < 0.05). Additionally, across precancerous lesion stages from AG to Dys in Helicobacter pylori-negative patients, Burkholderiaceae abundance continuously increased, while Streptococcaceae and Prevotellaceae abundance presented a continuous downward trend. Furthermore, the microbial diversity was higher in gastric juice (P < 0.001) than in the mucosa, while PLS-DA revealed a statistically significant difference between the two groups (ANOSIM, P = 0.001). A significant difference in the microbial structure was identified, with Proteobacteria being more prevalent in the gastric mucosa and Firmicutes being more abundant in gastric juice. CONCLUSION: Our results provide insights into potential taxonomic biomarkers for HPNGC and its precancerous stages and assist in predicting the prognosis of IM and Dys based on the mucosal microbiota profile.

[Structure-activity relationship of diosgenin derivatives as Bcl-2 antagonists].

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the structure-activity relationship of anti-tumor activity of diosgenin derivatives in vitro. Study has found that diosgenin can inhibit the reproduction of tumor cells by inducing apoptosis and the main target spot of this effect is Bcl-2. Based on the characteristics of pharmacophoric points' of the three-dimensional pharmacophore for Bcl-2 inhibitors, we have docked lots of diosgenin derivatives with Bcl-2, then synthesized 31 compounds of them, finally assessed the anti-tumor activity of the diosgenin derivatives in vitro against A375, A549, HepG-2 and K562. Preliminary studies of SAR have indicated that the aliphatic esters, and aromatic esters of diosgenin without F ring have no anti-tumor activity in vitro. The triazole bromides of diosgenin all achieve fairly good anti-tumor activity in vitro, and those with larger hydrophobic group have the better activity. The stronger is the hydrogen bonding interaction and dipole-dipole interaction of the heterocyclic of diosgenin and diosgenin without F ring and the acid ester of diosgenin without F ring, the better is the activity of derivatives.

Lymphangiomatosis associated with protein losing enteropathy: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Lymphangiomatosis is a multisystem disorder that is rarely localized to the gastrointestinal tract. Lymphangiomatosis usually has no specific clinical presentation and is easily misdiagnosed. A case report and review of the literature on lymphangiomatosis associated with protein-losing enteropathy will help to improve the overall understanding of this disease. CASE SUMMARY: We report a case of lymphangiomatosis of the bowel and other solid organs. A 78-year-old man presented with recurrent bowel bleeding and protein-losing enteropathy, as well as cystic lesions in the spleen, liver, and kidney. Imaging examinations revealed many cystic lesions on the spleen, liver, kidney, and thickened wall of the ascending colon, as well as pleural effusion and ascites. Colonoscopy revealed a strawberry mucosa, variable spontaneous bleeding, and surface erosion located in the terminal ileum. Several cystic masses with a translucent and smooth surface as well as diffuse white spots were located in the colon. A laterally spreading tumor (LST) was located in the ascending colon. Pathology indicated highly differentiated adenocarcinoma (LST) and lymphangiomatoid dilation, and D2-40 was positive. The final diagnosis was lymphangiomatosis. The patient underwent surgery for LST and then was administered thalidomide 75-150 mg/d. His condition, however, did not improve. He eventually died 6 mo after the initial diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Lymphangiomatosis usually occurs diffusely and can involve many organs, such as the spleen, kidney, liver, lung, mesentery, and bowel. Recurrent bowel bleeding or protein-losing enteropathy is an important indicator that should alert clinicians about the possibility of this disease when it afflicts the bowel. Doctors should improve the medical understanding of lymphangiomatosis.

Clinicopathological, Radiological, and Molecular Features of Primary Lung Adenocarcinoma with Morule-Like Components.

BACKGROUND: Morule-like component (MLC) was a rare structure in primary lung adenocarcinoma. We aimed to reveal the clinicopathological, radiological, immunohistochemical, and molecular features of lung adenocarcinoma with MLCs. METHODS: Twenty lung adenocarcinomas with MLCs were collected, and computed tomographic and histological documents were reviewed. Immunohistochemistry, targeted next-generation sequencing, and Sanger sequencing for ß-catenin gene were performed. RESULTS: There were 9 lepidic adenocarcinomas, 8 acinar adenocarcinomas, 2 papillary adenocarcinomas, and 1 minimally invasive adenocarcinoma. Most patients (16/17) were shown a pure solid nodule, and 1 patient was shown a partly solid nodule on chest computed tomography (CT). Nine cases were accompanied with micropapillary components, and 3 were with cribriform components in which 2 suffered a worse prognosis. No significant association was found between the MCLs and the overall survival of lung adenocarcinoma (P = 0.109). The MLCs were often arranged in whorled or streaming patterns. The cells in MLCs showed syncytial and mild appearance. The MLCs were positive for E-cadherin, CK7, TTF-1, napsin-A, vimentin, and ß-catenin (membrane), and negative for CK5/6, p40, p63, Synaptophysin, chromogranin A, and Cdx-2. EGFR mutation, ALK-EML4 fusion, HER2 amplification, and PIK3CA mutation were detected in 16 cases, 2 cases, 1 case, and 1 case, respectively. EGFR mutation was more frequent in adenocarcinomas with MLCs than those without MLCs (P = 0.040). ß-catenin gene mutation was not detected in any patients. CONCLUSIONS: MLC is often observed in the background of acinar, lepidic, and papillary adenocarcinomas. Lung adenocarcinomas with MLCs tend to appear as a solid mass on CT and harbor EGFR gene mutations. The micropapillary components and cribriform components may cause poor prognosis of lung adenocarcinomas with MLCs. Vimentin is always positive in MLCs, and it is a useful marker for the identification of MLCs.

Early colon cancer with enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma involving the whole gastrointestinal tract: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma (EATL) is a rare invasive lymphoma derived from gastrointestinal epithelial T lymphocytes. EATL involving the whole gastrointestinal tract accompanied with early colon cancer is extremely rare. CASE SUMMARY: We present the case of a 67-year-old man with diarrhea for more than 5 mo whose colonoscopy in another hospital showed multiple colonic polyps, which indicated moderate to severe dysplasia and focal early cancer. Therefore, he was referred to our hospital for further endoscopic treatment. Colonoscopy after admission showed that the mucosa of the terminal ileum and the entire colon were slightly swollen and finely granular. Endoscopic mucosal resection was performed for colonic polyps located in the liver flexure of the colon and descending colon, respectively. Histopathological findings revealed diffuse infiltration of medium-sized lymphoid cells in the colonic mucosa and visible lymphoepithelial lesions. The histopathology of the polyp in the descending colon indicated moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma limited to the mucosa with negative resection margins. Additionally, immunohistochemical analysis showed positive staining for CD7 and CD8. Therefore, we arrived at a diagnosis of EATL with early colon cancer. Subsequently, the patient was transferred to the hematology department for chemotherapy. The patient's diarrhea was not significantly relieved after receiving chemotherapy, and he ultimately died of severe myelosuppression. CONCLUSION: EATL should be considered in unexplained chronic diarrhea. EATL progresses rapidly with a poor prognosis, especially when accompanied with early colon cancer.

[Intramuscular type of nodular fasciitis: a report of 3 cases and review of literature].

PURPOSE: To retrospectively analyze the clinical characteristics of impacted supernumerary teeth in 115 patients. METHODS: One hundred and fifteen patients with im-pacted supernumerary teeth who were admitted to the Department of Oral and Max-illofacial Surgery of Hefei Stomatological Hospital were selected randomly. The age, sex, number of teeth, location, direction, clinical manifestation, anaes-thesia method and operation time were analyzed retrospectively, T test and Chi-square test were used to determine the statistical differences with SPSS 19.0 software package. RESULTS: Among 115 patients, there were 176 impacted supernu-merary, most of them were in mixed dentition period (66.96%), the sex ratio was 2.29:1, and Most patients (59.1%) had one supernumerary tooth, followed by two supernumerary teeth(33.9%). Most supernumerary teeth were located in the middle of the maxilla (68.2%). Inverted ones were the most common (52.8%). The most common symptoms were delayed eruption, displacement, crowding, torsion and space of the adjacent teeth. 92.2% of patients underwent general anesthesia. The dee-per the locations of impacted supernumerary were, the longer the operation time was. CONCLUSIONS: There are regional characteristics of supernumerary teeth in Hefei City, which can provide a reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Effects of age, sex and manual task on hand preference in wild Rhinopithecus roxellana.

Golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana), as typical arboreal group-living Old World monkeys, provide an appropriate animal model to research manual laterality and explore the factors affecting hand preference in nonhuman primates. This study investigated hand preference based on 63 subjects and four spontaneous manual tasks (including unimanual and bimanual feeding and grooming), and assessed the effects of age, gender and type of task on handedness in R. roxellana. A population-level left-handedness was found not only in the bimanual coordinated tasks (bimanual feeding and grooming), but also in one unimanual reaching task (unimanual feeding). There were no significant differences between the sexes in either direction or strength of hand preference among any task. However, a significant difference between adults and juveniles was found in the unimanual feeding task. This is the first report on handedness in unimanual and bimanual feeding tasks that require bipedal posture in wild R. roxellana. Furthermore, this study demonstrated spontaneous feeding tasks reported previously only in the quadrupedal posture in this species, supporting the importance of factors such as posture and task complexity in the evolution of primate manual lateralization.

Assembly of ZnII and CdII coordination polymers with different dimensionalities based on the semi-flexible 3-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)propanoic acid ligand.

Two new coordination polymers, namely, poly[[µ3-3-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)propionato]zinc(II)], [Zn(C10H8N2O2)] n , (1), and poly[bis-[µ2-3-(1H-benzimid-azol-2-yl)propionato]cadmium(II)], [Cd(C10H8N2O2)2] n , (2) have been synthesized from 3-(1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)propanoic acid ligands through a mixed-ligand synthetic strategy under a solvothermal environment, and studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complex 1 crystallizes in the ortho-rhom-bic space group Pbca and features a two-dimensional structure formed by a binuclear Zn2O4 core. Complex 2, however, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c and forms a one-dimensional chain structure. The ZnII and CdII ions have different coordination numbers and the 3-(1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)propano-ate ligands display different coordination modes. The structures reported here show the importance of the selection of metal ions and suitable ligands.