Effect of platelet indices on mortality and comorbidity in peritoneal dialysis: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: There were limited data investigating platelet indices in predicting peritoneal dialysis (PD) outcomes on comorbidities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between platelet indices and new-onset comorbidity and all-cause mortality in PD patients. METHODS: A single-center, retrospective observational cohort study was conducted in incident PD patients from 28 December 2011 to 24 January 2018, and followed up until 31 December 2022. Time to the first new-onset cardiovascular disease (CVD) and time to the first new-onset infection event after PD were identified as the primary outcomes. All-cause mortality was identified as the secondary endpoint. The correlation between platelet indices and comorbidities and all-cause mortality were assessed by Cox model. Data of liver disease status was not collected and analyzed. Survival curves were performed by Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank tests. RESULTS: A total of 250 incident PD patients with a median follow-up of 6.79 (inter-quarter range 4.05, 8.89) years was included. A total of 81 and 139 patients experienced the first new-onset CVD and infection event respectively during the follow-up period. High mean platelet volume (MPV) was independently associated with high risk of time to the first new-onset CVD (HR 1.895, 95% CI 1.174-3.058, p = 0.009) and all-cause mortality (HR 1.710, 95% CI 1.155-2.531, p = 0.007). Patients with low mean platelet volume to platelet count ratio (MPV/PC) were prone to occur the new-onset infection events (log rank 5.693, p = 0.017). Low MPV/PC (HR 0.652, 95% CI 0.459-0.924, p = 0.016) was significantly associated with the time to the first new-onset infection event on PD. CONCLUSIONS: Platelet indices were associated with the new-onset CVD, infectious comorbidities and all-cause mortality on PD. Low MPV/PC was associated with time to the first new-onset infection event in PD patients. Moreover, high MPV was associated with new-onset CVD and all-cause mortality in the incident PD patients.

Different binding properties of odorant-binding protein 8 to insecticides in Orius sauteri.

Chemical sensing systems are vital in the growth and development of insects. Orius sauteri (Poppius) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) is an important natural enemy of many pests. The molecular mechanism of odorant binding proteins (OBPs) binding with common insecticides is still unknow in O. sauteri. In this study, we expressed in vitro OsauOBP8 and conducted fluorescence competition binding assay to investigate the function of OsauOBP8 to insecticides. The results showed that OsauOBP8 could bind with four common insecticides (phoxim, fenitrothion, chlorpyrifos, deltamethrin). Subsequently, we used molecular docking to predict and obtained candidate six amino acid residues (K4, K6, K13, R31, K49, K55) and then mutated. The result showed that three key residues (K4, K6, R31) play important role in OsauOBP8 bound to insecticides. Our study identified the key binding sites of OsauOBP8 to insecticides and help to better understand the molecular mechanism of OBPs to insecticides in O. sauteri.

RNA Interference-Mediated Suppression of Ecdysone Signaling Inhibits Choriogenesis in Two Coleoptera Species.

During choriogenesis in insects, chorion (eggshell) is formed by surrounding follicular epithelial cells in ovarioles. However, the regulatory endocrine factor(s) activating choriogenesis and the effect of chemical components on eggshell deserve further exploration. In two representative coleopterans, a coccinellid Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata and a chrysomelid Leptinotarsa decemlineata, genes encoding the 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) receptor heterodimer, ecdysone receptor (EcR) and ultraspiracle (USP), and two chitin biosynthesis enzymes UDP-N-acetylglucosamine pyrophosphorylase (UAP) and chitin synthase (ChS1), were highly expressed in ovaries of the young females. RNA interference (RNAi)-aided knockdown of either HvEcR or Hvusp in H. vigintioctopunctata inhibited oviposition, suppressed the expression of HvChS1, and lessened the positive signal of Calcofluor staining on the chorions, which suggests the reduction of a chitin-like substance (CLS) deposited on eggshells. Similarly, RNAi of LdEcR or Ldusp in L. decemlineata constrained oviposition, decreased the expression of LdUAP1 and LdChS1, and reduced CLS contents in the resultant ovaries. Knockdown of LdUAP1 or LdChS1 caused similar defective phenotypes, i.e., reduced oviposition and CLS contents in the L. decemlineata ovaries. These results, for the first time, indicate that 20E signaling activates choriogenesis in two coleopteran species. Moreover, our findings suggest the deposition of a CLS on the chorions.

Requirement of Snakeskin for normal functions of midgut and Malpighian tubules in Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata.

Septate junctions (SJs) are located between epithelial cells and play crucial roles in epithelial barrier formation and epithelia cell homeostasis. Nevertheless, the molecular constituents, especially those related to smooth SJs (sSJs), have not been well explored in non-Drosophilid insects. A putative integral membrane protein Snakeskin (Ssk) was identified in a Coleoptera foliar pest Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata. RNA interference-aided knockdown of Hvssk at the third-instar larval stage arrested larval development. Most resultant larvae failed to shed larval exuviae until their death. Silence of Hvssk at the fourth-instar larvae inhibited the growth and reduced foliage consumption. Dissection and microscopic observation revealed that compromised expression of Hvssk caused obvious phenotypic defects in the midgut. A great number of morphologically abnormal columnar epithelial cells accumulated throughout the midgut lumen. Moreover, numerous vesicles were observed in the malformed cells of the Malpighian tubules (Mt). All the Hvssk depleted larvae remained as prepupae; they gradually darkened and eventually died. Furthermore, depletion of Hvssk at the pupal stage suppressed adult feeding and shortened adult lifespan. These findings demonstrated that Ssk plays a vital role in the integrity and function of both midguts and Mt, and established the conservative roles of Ssk in the formation of epithelial barrier and the homeostasis of epithelial cells in H. vigintioctopunctata.

US Shear-Wave Elastography Dispersion for Characterization of Chronic Liver Disease.

Background Little is known about the benefits of the use of dispersion slope (DS) as a viscosity-related parameter derived from two-dimensional (2D) shear-wave elastography (SWE) in the stratification of hepatic pathologic stages. Purpose To evaluate whether DS as an additional parameter can improve the diagnostic performance in detecting liver necroinflammation, fibrosis, and steatosis. Materials and Methods In this prospective study, consecutive participants with chronic liver disease who underwent liver biopsy and 2D SWE were recruited between July 2019 and September 2020. DS and liver stiffness (LS) measurements were obtained with use of a 2D SWE system immediately before biopsy. The biopsy specimens were assessed to obtain the scores of fibrosis, necroinflammation, and steatosis. Differences in the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were used to compare the diagnostic performance of DS, LS, and a combination of DS and LS. Results There were 159 participants evaluated (among them, 79 participants with chronic hepatitis B and 11 participants with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease). The distributions of DS values among various necroinflammatory activities (P = .02) and fibrosis stages (P < .001) were different. Moreover, DS was only associated with fibrosis after subgroup analysis based on the fibrosis stages and necroinflammatory activities (P < .001). The AUCs of DS in detecting clinically significant fibrosis (fibrosis stage ≥F2), cirrhosis (fibrosis stage of F4), and moderate to severe necroinflammatory activity (necroinflammatory activity ≥A2) were 0.72 (95% CI: 0.64, 0.79), 0.71 (95% CI: 0.63, 0.78), and 0.64 (95% CI: 0.55, 0.71), respectively. The differences of AUCs were not apparent for the DS and LS combination model after excluding DS (fibrosis stage ≥F2: 0.00 [95% CI: 0.00, 0.01], fibrosis stage of F4: -0.01 [95% CI: -0.02, 0.00], and necroinflammatory activity ≥A2: 0.00 [95% CI: 0.00, 0.01]). Conclusion The addition of dispersion slope derived from two-dimensional shear-wave elastography did not improve the diagnostic performance in detecting liver fibrosis, necroinflammation, or steatosis in patients with primarily viral hepatitis. ClinicalTrials.gov registration no.: NCT03777293 © RSNA, 2022 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Requirement of Myoglianin for metamorphosis in the beetle Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata.

Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata is a serious defoliating beetle attacking Solanaceae and Cucurbitaceae plants in many Asian countries. In the present paper, we identified a putative myoglianin (myo) gene. Hvmyo was actively transcribed throughout development, from embryo to adult. RNA interference (RNAi)-aided knockdown of Hvmyo delayed larval development by more than 2 days, reduced larval body size, inhibited the growth of antennae, wings and legs and disturbed gut purge. Knockdown of Hvmyo impaired the larval-pupal transition. All the Hvmyo RNAi larvae arrested at the larval stage or formed misshapen pupae or adults. The deformed pupae and adults were partially wrapped with exuviae, bearing separated wings. Moreover, the expression levels of five ecdysteroidogenesis genes (Hvspo, Hvphm, Hvdib, Hvsad and Hvshd), a prothocicotropic hormone (PTTH)/Torso pathway gene (Hvtorso), two 20E receptor genes (HvEcR and HvUSP), and two 20E signalling genes (HvE93 and HvFTZ-F1) were as a result of HvMyo RNAi significantly lowered. Conversely, the expression of a JH biosynthesis gene (Hvjhamt), a JH receptor gene HvMet and a JH signalling gene HvKr-h1 was greatly enhanced. Although ingestion of 20E and Hal rescued the 20E signal, it could not alleviate larval performance and defective phenotypes. Our results suggest that Myo exerts four distinctive roles in ecdysteroidogenesis, JH production, organ growth and larva-pupa-adult transformation in H. vigintioctopunctata.

Preparation of Chromeno[b]quinoline Derivatives and Their Application for Lipid Droplets Markers.

Functional dyes with a chromeno[b]quinoline skeleton (3a-d) were synthesized by one-step cyclization between coumarin derivatives and aromatic amines under the promotion of anhydrous aluminum chloride in 41.2-45.8% yields. Their maximum absorption and emission wavelengths locate at 358-396 and 420-603 nm with large Stokes shifts (168-231 nm), and their intramolecular charge transfer has been corroborated by density functional theory calculations. Cell experiments have proved that the probes 3a-c possess the ability to target lipid droplets.

Changing Effects of Minimally Invasive Surgical Intervention on ALT, AST, and UA in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome.

Background: This study aims at exploring the effect of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) on the liver and kidney function indexes of patients and analyze the changes in these indexes after minimally invasive surgery. Method: Patients with OSAHS (n = 51) who were diagnosed via polysomnography (PSG) and received minimally invasive surgery in the sleep disorders diagnosis and treatment center of the West China Fourth Hospital of Sichuan University from January 2017 to January 2019 were selected as test subjects and placed in the OSAHS group. At the same time, 79 healthy people with no snoring or breathing difficulties were selected from the medical examination center of the hospital as the control group (tested as normal by PSG). These two groups were used to compare the differences in the related indexes of serum liver and kidney function and evaluate the changes in sleep monitoring and related liver and kidney function indexes in patients with OSAHS after minimally invasive surgery. Results: The alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and uric acid (UA) levels were higher in the OSAHS group (48.98 ± 36.34, 28.88 ± 14.80, and 422.30 ± 98.65, respectively) than in the control group (21.91 ± 11.61, 22.18 ± 6.19, and 330.49 ± 64.45 and t = 6.514, 3.549, and 6.373, respectively; p < 0.05). Of the patients with OSAHS, 17 were followed up for one year. After minimally invasive surgery, ALT decreased from 44.29 ± 20.61 to 26.47 ± 9.91 (t = 4.395), AST decreased from 27.71 ± 8.32 to 21.82 ± 4.81 (t = 3.673), and UA decreased from 397.35 ± 92.14 umol/L to 362.94 ± 106.76 umol/L (t = 2.580), and these differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05).The changes in ALT (r = -0.635) and AST (r = -0.504) were related to the difference in the lowest blood oxygen saturation (p < 0.05), and the change in UA was related to the difference in the apnea-hypopnea index (r = -0.532, p < 0.05). Conclusion: There are some abnormalities in liver- and kidney-function-related indexes in patients with OSAHS, and minimally invasive surgery can help to improve liver and kidney function in these patients.

Effectiveness of intraoperative cell salvage combined with a modified leucocyte depletion filter in metastatic spine tumour surgery.

BACKGROUND: To compare the effectiveness of intraoperative cell salvage (IOCS) combined with a modified leucocyte depletion filter (MLDF) with IOCS combined with a regular leucocyte depletion filter (RLDF) in eliminating tumour cells from blood salvage during metastatic spine tumour surgery (MSTS). METHODS: Patients with a known primary epithelial tumour who underwent MSTS were recruited for this study. Blood samples were collected in 5 stages: from the patients' vein before anaesthesia induction (S1), from the operative field at the time of maximum tumour manipulation (S2), and from the operative blood after IOCS processing (S3) and after IOCS+RLDF (S4) and IOCS+MLDF (S5) processing. The polyploids of tumour cells in the blood samples were collected and counted with immunomagnetic separation enrichment and fluorescence in situ hybridization. RESULTS: We recruited 20 patients. Tumour cells were detected in 14 patients (70%) in S1, 16 patients (80%) in S2, 13 patients (65%) in S3, and 12 patients (60%) in S4. MLDF was added in 8 patients. Tumour cells were detected in only 1 of 8 patients in S5 (12.5%). There were significantly fewer tumour cells in the samples collected after MLDF processing (S5) than in the samples collected after RLDF (S4) and around the tumour (S2) (P = 0.016 and P = 0.039, respectively). Although no significant difference was observed between S4 and S1, a downward trend was observed after IOCS+RLDF processing. CONCLUSIONS: Tumour cells could be removed by IOCS combined with RLDF from blood salvaged during MSTS, but residual tumour cells remained. The findings support the notion that MLDF eliminates tumour cells more effectively than RLDF. Hence, this technique can be applied to MSTS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR1800016162 Chinese Clinical Trial Registry.

AlepPBP2, but not AlepPBP3, may involve in the recognition of sex pheromones and maize volatiles in Athetis lepigone.

Athetis lepigone Möschler (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) is a common maize pest in Europe and Asia. However, there is no long-term effective management strategy is available yet to suppress its population. Adults rely heavily on olfactory cues to locate their optimal host plants and oviposition sites. Pheromone-binding proteins (PBPs) are believed to be responsible for recognizing and transporting different odorant molecules to interact with receptor membrane proteins. In this study, the ligand-binding specificities of two AlepPBPs (AlepPBP2 and AlepPBP3) for sex pheromone components and host plant (maize) volatiles were measured by fluorescence ligand-binding assay. The results demonstrated that AlepPBP2 had a high affinity with two pheromones [(Z)-7-dodecenyl acetate, Ki = 1.11 ± 0.1 µM, (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate, Ki = 1.32 ± 0.15 µM] and ten plant volatiles, including (-)-limonene, α-pinene, myrcene, linalool, benzaldehyde, nonanal, 2-hexanone, 3-hexanone, 2-heptanone and 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one. In contrast, we found that none of these chemicals could bind to AlepPBP3. Our results clearly show no significant differences in the functional characterization of the binding properties between AlepPBP2 and AlepPBP3 to sex pheromones and host plant volatiles. Furthermore, molecular docking was employed for further detail on some crucial amino acid residues involved in the ligand-binding of AlepPBP2. These findings will provide valuable information about the potential protein binding sites necessary for protein-ligand interactions which appear as attractive targets for the development of novel technologies and management strategies for insect pests.

[Effects of dexmedetomidine on the proliferation, invasiveness and tumorigenesis of human prostate cancer PC3 cells and its action mechanism].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of dexmedetomidine (Dex) on the proliferation, invasiveness and tumorigenesis of human PCa PC3 cells and its action mechanism. METHODS: We treated human PCa PC3 cells with Dex at 0 µmol/L (the control group), 1 µmol/L (Dex group 1), 2 µmol/L (Dex group 2), and 5 µmol/L (Dex group 3). After 24, 48 and 72 hours of treatment, we examined the proliferation, apoptosis and invasiveness of the cells using cell counting kit-8 (CCK8), flow cytometry and Transwell assay respectively, measured the tumorigenicity of the transplanted tumors in the nude mice, and determined the expressions of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway-related proteins in the cells by Western blot. RESULTS: After treatment, the A value of the PC3 cells was significantly increased in all the four groups (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the three Dex groups showed a decrease in the A value, an elevated rate of apoptotic cells (P < 0.05), an increased number of membrane-penetrating cells (P < 0.05), reduced volume of the transplanted tumors (P < 0.05), and down-regulated expressions of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK) / ERK and phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK) / JNK (P < 0.05) with the increased dose of Dex. The volume of the transplanted tumors in the nude mice was increased in all the four groups in a time-dependent manner (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Dex inhibits the proliferation and invasiveness, promotes the apoptosis, and reduces the tumorigenicity of human PCa PC3 cells by decreasing the phosphorylation of ERK and JNK in the MAPK signaling pathway.

[Anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic effects and molecular mechanisms of catalpol against H_2O_2-induced oxidative damage in pancreatic ß cells (INS-1 cells)].

The present study investigated the anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic effects and molecular mechanisms of catalpol on the H_2O_2-induced pancreatic ß-cells(INS-1 cells).The oxidative damage model of INS-1 cells was induced and optimized by the stimulation of H_2O_2 of different concentrations for different time.CCK-8 assay was used to detect cell viability after catalpol intervention(1, 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 µmol·L~(-1)) for 24 h.Intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS), superoxide dismutase(SOD), and lipid peroxide malondialdehyde(MDA) were measured by DCFH-DA fluorescent probe, WST-1, and TBA respectively.Moreover, the apo-ptotic effect was detected by AO-EB and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining.In addition, the protein expression levels were detected by Wes-tern blot, and intracellular insulin concentration was measured by ELISA.The results showed that the oxidative damage model of INS-1 cells was stably induced by 50 µmol·L~(-1) H_2O_2 treatment for 2 h, and catalpol at 1-80 µmol·L~(-1) did not affect cell viability of INS-1 cells.Compared with the conditions in the model group, 1, 5, and 10 µmol·L~(-1) catalpol intervention for 2 h could protect INS-1 cells from oxidative damage(P<0.001), reduce ROS and MDA, increase SOD, and inhibit excessive cell apoptosis.Moreover, 1, 5, and 10 µmol·L~(-1) catalpol could also up-regulate the phosphorylation of nuclear transcription factor NF-E2 related factors, negatively regulate Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1(Keap1), phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK), and heme oxyge-nase 1(HO-1), and promote the protein expression of pancreatic-duodenal homeobox factor-1(PDX-1) and glucose transporter 2(GLUT2).In addition, 1, 5, and 10 µmol·L~(-1) catalpol increased insulin secretion of INS-1 cells under oxidative damage in the high-glucose culture medium, indicating function recovery of pancreatic ß cells.PDX-1 is a key nuclear transcription factor of pancreatic ß cell function that directly regulates GLUT2 and insulin synthesis, and affects glucose homeostasis.In conclusion, catalpol can reduce the oxidative damage and apoptosis of INS-1 cells, activate antioxidant pathway, protect the function of pancreatic ß cells, and improve insulin synthesis and secretion.

Design and synthesis of a series of OFF-ON near infrared fluorescent probes for nucleic acid in aqueous solution.

Five cyanine dyes (6a-e) with aza units were prepared by the reaction of pyridinum or quinolinium with suitable aldehydes. They present several remarkable features including large Stokes shift (235-282 nm), long emission wavelength (640-698 nm) and excellent selectivity. Moreover, probes 6a-b display obvious and sensitive fluorescent response to DNA and RNA in aqueous solution, and the quantum yield of probe 6a response to RNA increases from 0 to 8.9%. More importantly, probes 6c and 6e can effectively avoid DNA interference and only respond to RNA in aqueous solution. In addition, laser confocal cell experiment has showed that probe 6b can image the nucleolus of nucleic acids in HeLa cells.

Effect of minimally invasive surgery on the sleep quality and work ability of patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of minimally invasive surgical treatment on the sleep quality and work ability of patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). METHODS: Fifty-one patients who underwent minimally invasive surgery in the Sleep Respiratory Disease Diagnostic and Treatment Center of the West China Fourth Hospital of Sichuan University from January 2017 to January 2019 were selected as study subjects. All subjects completed polysomnography monitoring (PSG), an Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), and a work ability index (WAI) before and 1 year after the minimally invasive surgery so that the changes could be compared. RESULTS: (1) The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), microarousal index (MAI), ESS, longest duration of apnea, and longest duration of hypoventilation in OSAHS patients decreased, while the lowest blood oxygen saturation (LsaO2) increased after minimally invasive surgery. The differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). (2) The WAI questionnaire score increased from (37.76 ± 4.46) to (40.00 ± 4.53) after minimally invasive surgery (P < 0.05). (3) The change in the WAI questionnaire score after minimally invasive surgery was influenced by the occupational category and the change in ESS. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive surgical treatment shows significant benefit in improving the sleep quality and working ability of patients with OSAHS.

Dexmedetomidine inhibits inflammatory response and oxidative stress through regulating miR-205-5p by targeting HMGB1 in cerebral ischemic/reperfusion.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate effects of dexmedetomidine (DEX) on miR-205-5p/HMGB1 axis in cerebral ischemic/reperfusion (I/R) injury. METHODS: Both in vivo I/R rat model and in vitro hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) cell model using rat hippocampal neurons cells were established. miR-205-5p was overexpressed or inhibited by transfection of miR-205-5p mimics or inhibitor. HMGB1 was overexpressed by transfection overexpression plasmids (OE-HMGB1). TTC staining was used for measurement of infraction volume. Oxidative stress was evaluated by measurement of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and inflammation was evaluated by measurement of IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α. Dual luciferase reporter assay was performed to confirm binding between miR-205-5p and HMGB1. The expression levels of miR-205-5p, and HMGB1 were measured using RT-qPCR. Western blotting was used to test the protein expression levels of HMGB1, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and catalase (CAT). RESULTS: Treatment of DEX significantly reduced brain infraction volume, decreased Longa's neurological function score and inhibited oxidative stress and inflammation in brain tissues of I/R rats, which were all reversed by inhibition of miR-205-5p. Both treatment of DEX or overexpression of miR-205-5p restricted oxidative stress and inflammation in H/R rat hippocampal neurons cells. The inhibition of miR-205-5p reversed the effects of DEX, while the overexpression of HMGB1 reversed the effects of miR-205-5p overexpression in H/R rat hippocampal neurons cells. Dual luciferase reporter assay showed miR-205-5p directly targeted HMGB1. CONCLUSION: DEX improved I/R injury by suppressing brain oxidative stress and inflammation DEX improved I/R injury by suppressing brain oxidative stress and inflammation through activating miR-205-5p/HMGB1 axis through activating miR-205-5p/HMGB1 axis.

[Molecular mechanism of Gegen Qinlian Decoction in promoting differentiation of brown adipose tissue to improve glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in diabetic rats].

This study explored the molecular mechanism underlying the Gegen Qinlian Decoction(GQD) promoting the differentiation of brown adipose tissue(BAT) to improve glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in diabetic rats. After the hypoglycemic effect of GQD on diabetic rats induced by high-fat diet combined with a low dose of streptozotocin was confirmed, the total RNA of rat BAT around scapula was extracted. Nuclear transcription genes Prdm16, Pparγc1α, Pparα, Pparγ and Sirt1, BAT marker genes Ucp1, Cidea and Dio2, energy expenditure gene Ampkα2 as well as BAT secretion factors Adpn, Fndc5, Angptl8, IL-6 and Rbp4 were detected by qPCR, then were analyzed by IPA software. Afterward, the total protein from rat BAT was extracted, and PRDM16, PGC1α, PPARγ, PPARα, SIRT1, ChREBP, AMPKα, UCP1, ADPN, NRG4, GLUT1 and GLUT4 were detected by Western blot. The mRNA expression levels of Pparγc1α, Pparα, Pparγ, Ucp1, Cidea, Ampkα2, Dio2, Fndc5, Rbp4 and Angptl8 were significantly increased(P<0.05) and those of Adpn and IL-6 were significantly decreased(P<0.05) in the GQD group compared with the diabetic group. In addition, Sirt1 showed a downward trend(P=0.104), whereas Prdm16 tended to be up-regulated(P=0.182) in the GQD group. IPA canonical pathway analysis and diseases-and-functions analysis suggested that GQD activated PPARα/RXRα and SIRT1 signaling pathways to promote the differentiation of BAT and reduce the excessive lipid accumulation. Moreover, the protein expression levels of PRDM16, PGC1α, PPARα, PPARγ, SIRT1, ChREBP, AMPKα, UCP1, GLUT1, GLUT4 and NRG4 were significantly decreased in the diabetic group(P<0.01), which were elevated after GQD intervention(P<0.05). Unexpectedly, the expression of ADPN protein in the diabetic group was up-regulated(P<0.01) as compared with the control group, which was down-regulated after the administration with GQD(P<0.01). This study indicated that GQD promoted BAT differentiation and maturity to increase energy consumption, which reduced the glucose and lipid metabolism disorders and thereby improved diabetes symptoms.

Different binding properties of two general-odorant binding proteins in Athetis lepigone with sex pheromones, host plant volatiles and insecticides.

Athetis lepigone (Alep) is a polyphagous pest native to Europe and Asia that has experienced major outbreaks in the summer maize area of China since 2011 and has shown evidence of resistance to some insecticides. Insect olfaction is crucial for recognition of sex pheromones, host plant volatiles and even insecticides, in which two general-odorant binding proteins (GOBPs) play important roles. To elucidate the functions of GOBPs in A. lepigone, we first expressed the two AlepGOBP proteins in the E. coli expression system. Then, the results of fluorescence competitive binding assays demonstrated that the high binding affinity of AlepGOBP2 with sex pheromones [(Z)-7-dodecenyl acetate (Z7-12:Ac), Ki = 0.65 µM; (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate (Z9-14:Ac), Ki = 0.83 µM], two maize plant volatiles [Ocimene, Ki = 9.63 µM; (E)-ß-Farnesene, Ki = 4.76 µM] and two insecticides (Chlorpyrifos Ki =5.61 µM; Phoxim, Ki = 4.38 µM). However, AlepGOBP1 could only bind Ocimene (Ki = 13.0 µM) and two insecticides (Chlorpyrifos Ki =4.46 µM; Phoxim, Ki = 3.27 µM). These results clearly suggest that AlepGOBP1 and AlepGOBP2 differentiate among odorants and other ligands. The molecular docking results further revealed different key residues involved in the ligand binding of AlepGOBPs. In summary, this study provides a foundation for exploring the olfactory mechanism of A. lepigone and identified two potential target genes for the development of highly effective insecticides in the future.

New Constituents from the Low Polar Fraction of the Fruits of Crataegus dahurica and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activity in RAW264.7 Cells.

The fruit of Crataegus dahurica Koehne was used to treat the disease of infantile indigestion and dyspepsia as an ethnic medicine and food. As a continuous work on finding the active constituents from the edible herbs, four new biphenyl derivatives (1-4), together with two known compounds (5 and 6), were obtained from the petroleum ether fraction of the fruits of C. dahurica. Their structures were determined by the extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectra and HR-MS spectrometry. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory activities of all the isolated compounds were investigated, in which compound 4 showed moderately inhibitory effects on NO production in RAW264.7 cells without inducing cytotoxicity.

[Research on network pharmacology of Mongolian medicine Cymbaria in treatment of type 2 diabetes].

The network pharmacology was used to explore the potential active ingredients and action mechanisms of Mongolian medicine Cymbaria in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. According to the literatures collected, Cymbaria component database was established to define important active ingredients and key targets for the anti-hyperglycemic effect to predict action mechanism by active ingredient screening and target prediction techniques. Molecular docking predicted binding activity of main active components with key targets in Cymbaria, then verified the action mechanism in vitro. The Cymbaria component database contained 177 chemical components, 90 chemical structures were confirmed, including 34 chemical components with effective targets. According to the prediction results from network pharmacology, 61 biological processes were significantly affected, such as fatty acid metabolism including PPARs signaling pathway, protein kinase activity and insulin signal pathway. Moreover, the key target proteins were Akt1 and TNFα and quercetin, luteolin and catalpol were the main active ingredients of Cymbaria. Molecular docking prediction showed that luteolin, quercetin and catalpol had a strong binding activity with Akt1; luteolin had strong binding activity but quercetin and catalpol had a certain binding activity with TNFα. Furthermore, catalpol showed hypoglycemic effects in vitro, which up-regulated p-Akt(Ser473)/Akt, PPARα and PPARδ levels and reduced FABP4 expression to regulate glycose and lipid metabolism for improving insulin sensitivity. The network pharmacology predicted that the hypoglycemic effect of Cymbaria was mainly related to anti-inflammatory and lipid regulation with a multi-component, multi-target manner. It provided a scientific view of hypoglycemic effect and action mechanism of Cymbaria for further study.

A Δ9 desaturase (SlitDes11) is associated with the biosynthesis of ester sex pheromone components in Spodoptera litura.

Sex pheromone biosynthesis in moths relies on the activity of multiple enzymes, including Δ9 desaturase, which plays an important role in catalyzing desaturation at the Δ9 position of the carbon chain. However, the physiological function of moth Δ9 desaturase has not been elucidated in vivo. In this study, we used the CRISPR/Cas9 system to knockout the Δ9 desaturase gene (SlitDes11) of Spodoptera litura to analyze its role in sex pheromone biosynthesis. First, through the direct injection of SlitDes11-single guide RNA (sgRNA)/Cas9 messenger RNA into newly laid eggs, gene editing was induced in around 30% of eggs 24 h after injection and was induced in 20.8% of the resulting adult moths. Second, using a sibling-crossing strategy, insects with mutant SlitDes11 (bearing a premature stop codon) were selected, and homozygous mutants were obtained in the G5 generation. Third, pheromone gland extracts of adult female homozygous SlitDes11 mutants were analyzed using Gas chromatography (GC). The results showed that titers of all three ester sex pheromone components; Z9, E11-14:Ac, Z9,E12-14:Ac, and Z9-14:Ac; were reduced by 62.40%, 78.50%, and 72.50%, respectively. This study provides the first direct evidence for the role of SlitDes11 in sex pheromone biosynthesis in S. litura, and indicates the gene could be as potential target to disrupt sexual communication in S. litura for developing a new pollution-free insecticide.