MicroRNA-195-5p Attenuates Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress via OTX1/MAPK Signaling Pathway.

Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) is a hypertensive disorder during pregnancy and can induce perinatal death of human infants. MicroRNA (miR)-195-5p was validated to display low expression in severe preeclampsia placentas, but the role of miR-195-5p in pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) has not been investigated. The study emphasized on the functions and mechanism of miR-195-5p in PIH. A reduced uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP) rat model was established to mimic PIH in vivo. Adenovirus (Ad)-miR-195-5p agomir and/or Ad-OTX1 were further injected into some model rats. RT-qPCR was conducted to assess the expression of miR-195-5p and orthodenticle homeobox 1 (OTX1) in rat placental tissues, the isolated aortic endothelial cells (AECs), and in serum samples of PIH patients. Western blot analysis was implemented to measure the protein levels of OTX1, VEGFA, and key factors involved in the MAPK signaling pathway. The concentrations of oxidative stress markers (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and lipid hydroperoxide) in AECs and placental tissues of RUPP rats were measured by corresponding kits. The binding relation between miR-195-5p and OTX1 was verified using the dual-luciferase reporter assay. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was conducted to evaluate the pathological features of rat placental tissues. MiR-195-5p was downregulated, while OTX1 was upregulated in rat placental tissues and human serum samples of PIH patients. MiR-195-5p could target OTX1 and inversely regulate OTX1 expression in AECs and rat placental tissues. In addition, miR-195-5p can negatively regulate VEGFA level. Furthermore, miR-195-5p inactivates oxidative stress and the MAPK signaling by downregulating OTX1 in AECs. In vivo experiments revealed that OTX1 overexpression reversed the protective effect of miR-195-5p overexpression on placental damage and oxidative stress. MiR-195-5p alleviates PIH by inhibiting oxidative stress via targeting OTX1 and inactivating MAPK signaling.

Effects of Lysophospholipid Supplementation in Feed with Low Protein or Lipid on Growth Performance, Lipid Metabolism, and Intestinal Flora of Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides).

The largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) were fed diets with three experimental feeds, a control diet (Control, crude protein (CP): 54.52%, crude lipid (CL): 11.45%), a low-protein diet with lysophospholipid (LP-Ly, CP: 52.46%, CL: 11.36%), and a low-lipid diet with lysophospholipid (LL-Ly, CP: 54.43%, CL: 10.19%), respectively. The LP-Ly and LL-Ly groups represented the addition of 1 g/kg of lysophospholipids in the low-protein and low-lipid groups, respectively. After a 64-day feeding trial, the experimental results showed that the growth performance, hepatosomatic index, and viscerosomatic index of largemouth bass in both the LP-Ly and LL-Ly groups were not significantly different compared to those in the Control group (P > 0.05). The condition factor and CP content of whole fish were significantly higher in the LP-Ly group than those in the Control group (P < 0.05). Compared with the Control group, the serum total cholesterol level and alanine aminotransferase enzyme activity were significantly lower in both the LP-Ly group and the LL-Ly group (P < 0.05). The protease and lipase activities in the liver and intestine of both group LL-Ly and group LP-Ly were significantly higher than those of the Control group (P < 0.05). Compared to both the LL-Ly group and the LP-Ly group, significantly lower liver enzyme activities and gene expression of fatty acid synthase, hormone-sensitive lipase, and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 were found in the Control group (P < 0.05). The addition of lysophospholipids increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria (Cetobacterium and Acinetobacter) and decreased the abundance of harmful bacteria (Mycoplasma) in the intestinal flora. In conclusion, the supplementation of lysophospholipids in low-protein or low-lipid diets had no negative effect on the growth performance of largemouth bass, but increased the activity of intestinal digestive enzymes, enhanced the hepatic lipid metabolism, promoted the protein deposition, and regulated the structure and diversity of the intestinal flora.

Positive selection in the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase gene of Newcastle disease virus and its effect on vaccine efficacy.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the relationship between the selective pressure and the sequence variation of the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) protein, we performed the positive selection analysis by estimating the ratio of non-synonymous to synonymous substitutions with 132 complete HN gene sequences of Newcastle disease viruses (NDVs) isolated in China. RESULTS: The PAML software applying a maximum likelihood method was used for the analysis and three sites (residues 266, 347 and 540) in the HN protein were identified as being under positive selection. Codon 347 was located exactly in a recognized antigenic determinant (residues 345-353) and codon 266 in a predicted linear B-cell epitope. Substitutions at codon 540 contributed to the N-linked glycosylation potential of residue 538. To further evaluate the effect of positively selected sites on the vaccine efficacy, we constructed two recombinant fowlpox viruses rFPV-JS6HN and rFPV-LaSHN, expressing the HN proteins from a genotype VII field isolate Go/JS6/05 (with A266, K347 and A540) and vaccine strain La Sota (with V266, E347 and T540), respectively. Two groups of SPF chickens, 18 each, were vaccinated with the two recombinant fowlpox viruses and challenged by Go/JS6/05 at 3 weeks post-immunization. The results showed that rFPV-JS6HN could elicit more effective immunity against the prevalent virus infection than rFPV-LaSHN in terms of reducing virus shedding. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of positively selected codons and their effect on the vaccine efficacy indicated that the selective pressure on the HN protein can induce antigenic variation, and new vaccine to control the current ND epidemics should be developed.

Genetic diversity of Newcastle disease viruses isolated from domestic poultry species in Eastern China during 2005-2008.

Seventy-nine Newcastle disease viruses (NDV) isolated from clinical specimens of different poultry species including chickens, pigeons (Columba livia), geese and ostriches in Eastern China during 2005-2008 were characterized biologically and phylogenetically. The results showed genetic diversity of these viruses: three class I viruses and one genotype I and 12 genotype II viruses of class II circulating in chickens were avirulent; four genotype VIb viruses isolated from pigeons were moderately virulent; and two genotype III viruses and 57 genotype VIId viruses were highly virulent. The three class I viruses were further classified as genotypes 2 and 3. The very high F protein sequence identity of one genotype I virus with strain Queensland V4 and 12 genotype II viruses with strain La Sota indicated that these viruses originated from the two vaccine strains. Two genotype III viruses shared greater than 99% sequence identity with the moderately virulent vaccine strain Mukteswar but exhibited significantly higher virulence, suggesting that they evolved from the vaccine virus and that the Mukteswar vaccine should be banned in China. Fifty-seven of the 63 virulent NDVs in this study belonged to genotype VIId, indicating its predominance in Eastern China. Genotype VIId viruses could be further classified into two subgroups. Four of the five NDVs isolated from pigeons belonged to genotype VIb, indicating its host-specific preference. Both the genotype VIb and VIId NDVs showed low amino acid similarity to the vaccine strains currently used in China, implying the urgent need to develop better vaccines against the most prevalent NDVs in China.

[Full-length genome analysis of two genotype III velogenic Newcastle diseases virus strains reveals their close relationship with vaccine Mukteswar].

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this research is trying to uncover the homology between two velogenic genotype III Newcastle disease virus (NDV) isolates with NDV strain Mukteswar, which was commonly used as vaccine in China. METHODS: The full-length genome of NDV isolates, JS/7/05/Ch and JS/9/05/Go, were determined by RT-PCR and then analyzed. RESULTS: The full-length genome of 2 genotype III velogenic NDV isolates shared 99.7% nucleotide identity with that of Mukteswar. The results of alignment of 6 viral genes showed that JS/7/05/Ch and JS/9/05/Go shared nucleotide and amino acid identities of 99.6% - 99.9% and 98.8% - 99.8% with that of Mukteswar, respectively. Furthermore, the IVPI score of JS/7/ 05/Ch and JS/9/05/Go was 2.18 and 1.33, remarkablely higher than that of Mukteswar, while the 3 NDV strains shared the consensus cleavage site of virulent NDV strains (112RRQRRF117). Virulence of NDV is mainly determined by the amino acid sequence of the fusion (F) protein cleavage site, since host proteases that cleave the F protein of virulent strains are present in more tissues than those that cleave the F protein of lentogenic strains. However, 3 NDV strains with same F protein cleavage site showed different virulence. The entire genomic sequence of JS/7/05/Ch, JS/9/05/Go and Mukteswar was further analyzed. Three strains shared some gene-start signal, gene-end signal, intergenic region and six highly identical viral genes. Most amino acid differences among JS/7/05/Ch, JS/9/05/Go and Mukteswar were found in the predicted HN and L protein, and the predicted NP, P, V, W, M and even F protein had few amino acid differences. CONCLUSION: First, it is concluded that field isolates JS/7/05/ Ch and JS/9/05/Go are derived from Mukteswar and more attention must be paid to the virulence enhancement of vaccine strains. Second, it is proposed that the differences in the amino acid sequence of HN and L protein may give rise to the significant virulence differences between two NDV isolates and Mukteswar.

Cyclopentadithiophene-benzoic acid copolymers as conductive binders for silicon nanoparticles in anode electrodes of lithium ion batteries.

Cyclopentadithiophene and methyl-2,5-dibromobenzoate have been copolymerised via palladium complex catalysed direct arylation. The methyl ester group in the benzoate unit is converted to the carboxyl group via saponification. The polymers are mixed with Si nanoparticles for use as conducting binders in the fabrication of an anode electrode in lithium ion batteries. The battery with the electrode incorporating the saponified polymer shows much higher specific capacity of up to 1820 mA h g-1 (total weight) and a higher stability compared with the battery including the polymer before the saponification.

Heteroaromatic organic compound with conjugated multi-carbonyl as cathode material for rechargeable lithium batteries.

The heteroaromatic organic compound, N,N'-diphenyl-1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetra- carboxylic diimide (DP-NTCDI-250) as the cathode material of lithium batteries is prepared through a simple one-pot N-acylation reaction of 1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetra-carboxylic dianhydride (NTCDA) with phenylamine (PA) in DMF solution followed by heat treatment in 250 °C. The as prepared sample is characterized by the combination of elemental analysis, NMR, FT-IR, TGA, XRD, SEM and TEM. The electrochemical measurements show that DP-NTCDI-250 can deliver an initial discharge capacity of 170 mAh g(-1) at the current density of 25 mA g(-1). The capacity of 119 mAh g(-1) can be retained after 100 cycles. Even at the high current density of 500 mA g(-1), its capacity still reaches 105 mAh g(-1), indicating its high rate capability. Therefore, the as-prepared DP-NTCDI-250 could be a promising candidate as low cost cathode materials for lithium batteries.

[Biological characteristics and sequence analysis of fusion genes of Newcastle disease virus isolates].

Twenty Newcastle disease virus (NDV) strains were isolated from chickens and geese in the field outbreaks during 2005 and 2006 in some regions of Jiangsu and Guangxi province. Assessment of the virulence by MDT and ICPI, RT-PCR and sequence analysis of fusion protein gene were used to compare the properties of NDV isolates. The results indicated that MDT and ICPI of the isolates were 45.3h - 58.2h and 1.61 - 2.00 respectively, which confirmed that the all NDV isolates were highly virulent. And their hemagglutinin were not resistant to heat and belonged to fast pattern of elution. The results of nucleotide sequencing and phylogentic analysis of fusion protein gene showed that the twenty strains shared homology from 79.7% to 100% among themselves, from 78.1% to 83.4% and from 80.2% to 90.1% with NDV LaSota, F48E8, respectively. The putative amino acid sequences of fusion protein at the cleavage sites of all the isolates were 112R-R-Q-R/K-R-F117, with the motif characteristics of the virulent NDV strain, which was in accordant with the results of assessment of the pathogenicity. The phylogentic tree based on sequences of fusion protein gene variable regions (47-420nt) revealed that the 18 strains belonged to sub-genotype VIId and the others belonged to an old genotype III of NDV, revealing that subgenotype VIId virus was responsible for the NDV outbreaks in some regions of Jiangsu and Guangxi promince recently.