Cloning, molecular characterization, and tissue differential expression of connective tissue growth factor (ctgf) of grass carp.

Connective tissue growth factor (ctgf) is involved in the proliferation, migration, adhesion of cell, and the constituent of extracellular matrix, which plays an important role in embryogenesis, angiogenesis, wound repair, and fibrosis diseases. In this study, the cDNA sequence of grass carp ctgf gene was cloned by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) method; then, the characteristics of this gene and the predicted protein sequence were analyzed by bioinformatics methods, and the tissue differential expression pattern was detected by the quantitative real-time PCR. The results showed that the grass carp ctgf gene has a full-length of 2223 bp, encoding 343 amino acids. The deduced CTGF protein is a hydrophilic and secretary protein with a molecular mass of 37,978.2 Da and an isoelectric point of 8.22. The signal peptide locates between residue positions 1 and 22 of the polypeptide chain. The protein contains α-helix, ß-strand, and loops. The CTGF protein of grass carp shows a homology of 98%, 96%, 91%, and 91% with Wuchang bream (Megalobrama amblycephala), zebrafish (Danio rerio), common carp (Cyprinus carpio), and Mexican tetra (Astyanax mexicanus). The grass carp ctgf gene expressed significantly higher in blood and spleen than that in other tissues (P < 0.05). The low expression tissues included the heart, gill, skin, muscle, kidney, brain, and intestinal, and the lowest expression tissue was the liver. The results are consistent with the function of this gene.

[Advance in effect of aerobic exercise on immune system and autoimmune diseases].

Autoimmune diseases are a kind of chronic diseases with unclear etiology, which has the characteristics of repetition and difficulty to cure completely. Aerobic exercise, as an effective intervention method for chronic diseases, has also received extensive attention in the field of the prevention and treatment of autoimmune diseases. In this paper, the effects of aerobic exercise on immune system and autoimmune diseases in recent years are reviewed, and the related mechanisms are discussed. It is pointed out that aerobic exercise can improve the homeostasis of immune environment by affecting the number and function of immune cells, inhibit the systemic inflammatory response of the body, and then delay the occurrence and development of autoimmune diseases.

[Effect of apigenin on dendritic cells maturation and function in murine splenocytes].

This study was designed to explore the effect of apigenin (Api) on dendritic cell (DCs) maturation and function in murine spleen cells. The single spleen cell was isolated, and then cultured with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the present and absence of apigenin. After 24 h, the toxicity of Api and the T cell proliferation were determined by CCK8 kit. In addition, we collected the cell-free supernatants to measure cytokine production using ELISA, collected the cells to determine the DC maturation using flow cytometry. Finally, we purified Api and/or LPS-treated CD11c+ DCs which were pulsed with ovalbumin (OVA)323−339 and then were adoptive transferred into C57BL/6 mice to detect the OVA323−339-specific T cell proliferation and T helper (Th1) and Th2 cell secreting IFN-γ and IL-4 production, respectively. We found that Api did not affect splenocyte viability, but inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α, not anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. In addition, Api inhibited the expression of co-stimulatory CD80, CD86 and MHCII of CD11c + DCs. Finally, compared to LPS+OVA DCs group, DCs from Api and LPS co-treated splenocytes (Api+LPS+DCs) impaired OVA323−339-specific T cell proliferation and the production of IFN-γ and IL-4 in CD4+ T cells, which had the similar responses with OVA+DCs. These data suggest that Api exhibits anti-inflammatory properties via inhibiting DC activation and function, as a new immune-modulator, which may induce immune-tolerance with a benefit to those with chronic inflammation.

Cloning, molecular characterization, and expression analysis of the unc45 myosin chaperone b(unc45b)gene of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus).

Unc45 myosin chaperone b(unc45b)gene is a molecular chaperone that mediates the folding, assembly and accumulation of thick-filament myosin in the formation of sarcomere, which plays an important role in the development of striated muscle and the stability of sarcomere. In this study, the complete cDNA sequence of unc45b gene of grass carp was obtained by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE), and the characteristics of the unc45b protein predicted from gene sequence was analyzed by bioinformatics methods. The differential expression pattern in tissues was also detected by quantitative real-time PCR. The results showed that the full-length of unc45b gene of grass carp is 3163 bp, which contains a 60 bp 5'UTR, a 298 bp 3'UTR, and a 2865 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a 934 amino acid peptide. The deduced unc45b protein exhibits a homology of 92, 86, 86 % with the protein of zebrafish (Danio rerio), channel catfish (Ietalurus punctatus) and tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) respectively, and the protein contains UCS myosin head binding domain and TPR peptide repeat domain. The protein is a hydrophilic and non-secretory protein with a molecular mass and isoeletronic point of 103,699.8 and 7.39 Da. The structural elements of the protein includes α-helixes and loops, and the unc45b gene highly expresses in skeletal muscle and heart in grass carp. This study laid a foundation for further research in explaining the myofibril accumulation in crisped grass carp.

Glutamate-pantothenate pathway promotes antibiotic resistance of Edwardsiella tarda.

Although cellular metabolic states have been shown to modulate bacterial susceptibility to antibiotics, the interaction between glutamate (Glu) and chloramphenicol (CAP) resistance remains unclear because of the specificity of antibiotics and bacteria. We found that the level of Glu was upregulated in the CAP-resistant strain of Edwardsiella tarda according to a comparative metabolomics approach based on LC-MS/MS. Furthermore, we verified that exogenous metabolites related to Glu, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and glutathione (GSH) metabolism could promote CAP resistance in survival assays. If GSH metabolism or the TCA cycle is inhibited by L-buthionine sulfoximine or propanedioic acid, the promotion of CAP resistance by Glu in the corresponding pathway disappears. According to metabolomic analysis, exogenous Glu could change pantothenate metabolism, affecting GSH biosynthesis and the TCA cycle. These results showed that the glutamate-pantothenate pathway could promote CAP resistance by being involved in the synthesis of GSH, entering the TCA cycle by direct deamination, or indirectly affecting the metabolism of the two pathways by pantothenate. These results extend our knowledge of the effect of Glu on antibiotic resistance and suggest that the potential effect, which may aggravate antibiotic resistance, should be considered before Glu and GSH administration in the clinic.

[Spatial Patterns of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Soil and Their Influencing Factors in a Typical Agro-pastoral Ecotone].

Soil nitrogen and phosphorus influence physical, chemical, and biological processes in soil, therefore, clarifying their contents and spatial patterns is of great significance for soil resource management and utilization. The spatial patterns of soil total nitrogen (TN) and phosphorus (TP) and the influencing factors in Jungar Banner were studied using classical statistical and geostatistical methods. The results showed that soil TN and TP contents decreased with soil depth, and the weighted mean values of TN and TP were 0.29 g·kg-1 and 0.26 g·kg-1, respectively. The nugget effect values of soil TN and TP were concentrated in the ranges 0.15-0.43 and 0.34-0.53, respectively, indicating that soil TN (except in the 0-10 cm and 80-100 cm zones) and TP were moderately spatially dependent, dominated by structural and random factors. The spatial distributions of soil nutrients were related to soil layers and elements, even in same layer, while the distributions of TN and TP were not consistent. Soil total nitrogen was mainly affected by soil organic carbon, while TP was mainly affected by latitude, altitude, vegetation, and soil texture.

A theoretical study on C-COOH homolytic bond dissociation enthalpies.

The knowledge of C-COOH homolytic bond dissociation enthalpies (BDEs) is of great importance in understanding various chemical and biochemical processes involving the decarboxylation reaction. In the present study, the density functional theory (DFT method), B3P86/6-311++G(2df,2p)//B3LYP/6-31+G(d), is found to be reliable to predict the C-COOH BDE of various structurally unrelated carboxylic acids. The mean absolute deviation (MAD) and root-mean-square deviation (rmsd) of this optimal method are equal to 2.0 and 2.5 kcal/mol, respectively. With the authorized theoretical protocol in hand, an extensive C-COOH BDE scale containing over 100 carboxylic acids has been established. The availability of this body of data enabled a detailed investigation of remote substituent effect on four types of carboxylic acids, including para-substituted benzoic acid, beta-substituted cis-propenoic acid, beta-substituted trans-propenoic acid, and substituted propiolic acid. Also with the C-COOH BDE data obtained in this work, an excellent linear relationship has been found between the C-COOH BDE of carboxylic acids and the C-H BDE of their hydrocarbon analogues. After comparing the energy barrier of the Pd-catalyzed decarboxylation reaction (DeltaG(decarboxylation)++) with the related C-COOH BDE, a negative correlation between the DeltaG(decarboxylation)++ and the C-COOH BDE was found.

Bioinspired Healable Mechanochromic Function from Fluorescent Polyurethane Composite Film.

Camouflage and wound healing are two vital functions for cephalopods to survive from dangerous ocean risks. Inspired by these dual functions, herein, we report a new type of healable mechanochromic (HMC) material. The bifunctional HMC material consists of two tightly bonded layers. One layer is composed of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) for shielding. Another layer contains supramolecular hydrogen bonding polymers and fluorochromes for healing. The as-synthesized HMC material exhibits a tunable and reversible mechanochromic function due to the strain-induced surface structure of composite film. The mechanochromic function can be further restored after damage because of the incorporated healable polyurethane. The healing efficiency of the damaged HMC materials can even reach 98 % at 60 °C for 6 h. The bioinspired HMC material is expected to have potential applications in the information encryption and flexible displays.

miR-191 secreted by platelet-derived microvesicles induced apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells and participated in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury via inhibiting CBS.

In this study, we aimed to reveal the role of miR-191 in apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells and in the involvement of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. Renal transplantation rat model was established. miR-191 and Cystathionine-ß-synthase (CBS) were measured by qRT-PCR and Western blot. The regulation of miR-191 on CBS was detected by luciferase reporter assay. We found miR-191 expression in platelets and platelet microvesicles (P-MVs) of patients and model rats was significantly upregulated than that of health and normal rats. Also, mRNA and protein levels of CBS in renal tissues of patients were significantly downregulated than that of health and normal rats. We also found that P-MVs could transfer miR-191 to HK-2 cells. Luciferase reporter assay showed that CBS was a direct target of miR-191. In addition, we proved that P-MVs-secreted miR-191 inhibited CBS expression in HK-2 cells, and P-MVs-secreted miR-191 promoted HK-2 cell apoptosis via CBS. Finally, we verified the trends of CBS expressions, HK-2 cell apoptosis and apoptosis-related proteins in vivo were similar as the trends in vitro. Therefore, CBS was a direct target of miR-191, and miR-191 could transfer to HK-2 cells via P-MVs to decrease the expression of CBS, thus to promote cell apoptosis and renal IR injury.

[Myocardial bridging on dual-source CT: comparison with conventional coronary angiography].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the ability to detect myocardial bridging (MB) of dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) compared with conventional coronary angiography (CAG). METHODS: Both DSCT coronary angiography (DSCTCA) and CAG were performed on 53 patients diagnosed or suspected as with coronary artery disease (CAD), 45 males and 8 females, aged 36-87. 4D cine mode was performed on 16 of these 53 patients with MB shown on DSCTCA, and the CAG data were reviewed retrospectively by automatic cine method. The MB findings by both methods were compared. The diameters of segments proximal to and distal to MB, tunneled coronary arteries at systolic and diastolic phases were measured, and stenosis rate of tunneled coronary arteries was computed according to the equation. The relationship between stenosis rate of tunneled artery and milking effect on 4D cine mode was analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 53 patients who had undergone CAG; 4 images of MB were detected in 3 patients based on the CAG findings, with a detection rate of 5.7%, significantly than that by DSCT (30.2%, 21 images of MB in 16 patients, chi2 = 10. 837, P = 0.001). 4D cine mode showed various degrees of "milking effect" and abnormal blood flow in 16 patients with MB. The stenosis rate of tunneled artery during systole was related to the "milking effect" rate on 4D cine mode of DSCTCA (r = 0.640, P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: More vividly and reliably showing the "milking effect" than CAG, DSCT can be used as a routine screening method to detect or exclude MB.

[Clinical observation on total glucosides of paeony combined with sulfasalazine in treatment of ankylosing spondylitis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and adverse reaction of total glucosides of paeony (TGP) combined with sulfasalazine (SSZ) in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS: Sixty-seven AS patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups: the treatment group (34 cases) treated with TGP and SSZ, the control group (33 cases) with methotrexate (MTX) and SSZ. Changes of clinical efficacy related indexes including lumber pain index, morning stiffness time, peripheral joint pain index, thoracic expansion, Schober test, Bath AS disease active index (BASDAI), Bath AS functional index (BASFI), the levels of erythrocyte sedimentation (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP), and X-ray of sacroiliac joint were observed. RESULTS: The clinical efficacy indexes were significantly improved after treatment in the two groups (P < 0.05). Except that the improvement of lumber pain index and peripheral joint pain index was better in the treatment group than that in the control group (P < 0.05), no significant difference was found in the other indexes between the two groups. The occurrence of adverse reation was less in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: TGP treatment combined with SSZ shows favorable effect on AS with less and milder adverse reaction.

[Value of dynamic enhanced magnetic resonance in diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma and endocrine tumors].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the value of dynamic enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) in diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma and endocrine tumors. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with pancreatic carcinoma and 9 patients with pancreatic endocrine tumors underwent routine MR scanning and dynamic contrast enhanced MR examination before they underwent operation. RESULTS: No tumor image was seen in 4 of the 22 patients with pancreatic carcinoma by routine MR scanning. Fat-saturated T(1)-weighted imaging (FS-T(1) WI) showed that 11 of them were hyposignal, 6 slightly hyposignal, and 1 isosignal; and fat-saturated T(2)-weighted imaging (FS-T(2) WI) showed that 5 were hypersignal, 7 slightly hypersignal, 5 isosignal, 1 slightly hyposignal, and 13 with heterogeneous signals. After dynamic MR imaging no tumor was enhanced in the arterial phase (AP); and all the tumors were obviously enhanced during the pancreatic phase (PP) and portal venous phase (PVP), 5 of which showed isosignal intensity, 10 slightly hyposignal intensity, and 3 hyposignal intensity. Four of the 5 cases with small pancreatic carcinoma were demonstrated as isosignal and one was slightly hyposignal. During the delayed enhancement phase (DEP) the signal intensity of the tumors became slightly weaker. No tumor image was seen in 14 of the 9 patients with pancreatic endocrine tumors by routine MR scanning. FS-T(1) WI showed that 5 of them were hyposignal, and 3 slightly hyposignal; and FS-T(2) WI showed that 2 were hypersignal, 4 slightly hyposignal, and 2 isosignal. After dynamic MR imaging 2 cases were moderately enhanced and 6 cases mildly enhanced during AP, and all pancreatic endocrine tumors were obviously enhanced during PP and PVP, with isosignal intensity in 2 cases, slightly hyposignal intensity in 1 case, and slightly hypersignal intensity in 5 cases. Peritumor thin-walled enhancement was seen in 6 cases. CONCLUSION: Dynamic enhanced MR has a certain value in the diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma and endocrine tumors. Pancreatic carcinoma shows various enhanced forms by dynamic enhanced magnetic resonance, the degree of the greatest enhanced form not surpassing that of normal pancreatic tissue. Pancreatic endocrine carcinoma shows obvious enhanced forms by dynamic enhanced magnetic resonance, the degree of the greatest enhanced form surpassing that of normal pancreatic tissue. Peritumor thin-walled enhancement is a characteristic feature of pancreatic endocrine carcinoma.