Optimal frequency of whole body vibration training for improving balance and physical performance in the older people with chronic stroke: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the optimal frequency of whole-body vibration training for improving the balance and physical performance in older people with chronic stroke. DESIGN: a single-blind randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Two rehabilitation units in the Wuhan Brain Hospital in China. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 78 seniors with chronic stroke. INTERVENTIONS: Low-frequency group (13 Hz), high-frequency group (26 Hz), and zero-frequency group (Standing on the vibration platform with 0 Hz) for 10 sessions of side-alternating WBV training. MAIN MEASURES: The timed-up-and-go test, five-repetition sit-to-stand test, 10-metre walking test, and Berg balance scale were assessed pre- and post-intervention. RESULTS: Significant time × group interaction effects in five-repetition sit-to-stand test (p = 0.014) and timed-up-and-go test at self-preferred speed (p = 0.028) were observed. The high-frequency group outperformed the zero-frequency group in both five-repetition sit-to-stand test (p = 0.039) and timed-up-and-go test at self-preferred speed (p = 0.024) after 10-sessions training. The low-frequency group displayed only a significant improvement in five-repetition sit-to-stand test after training (p = 0.028). No significant within- or between-group changes were observed in the Berg balance scale and walking speed (p > 0.05). No significant group-difference were found between low-frequency and high-frequency groups. No adverse events were reported during study. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with 13 Hz, 26 Hz had no more benefits on balance and physical performance in older people with chronic stroke.

Decreased grain size1, a C3HC4-type RING protein, influences grain size in rice (Oryza sativa L.).

KEY MESSAGE: We reported that DGS1 plays a positive role in regulating grain size in rice and was regulated by OsBZR1. Grain size is an important agronomic trait that contributes to grain yield. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms that determine final grain size are still largely unknown. We isolated a rice mutant showing reduced grain size in a 60Co-irradiated variety Nanjing 35 population. We named the mutant decreased grain size1 (dgs1). Map-based cloning and subsequent transgenic CRISPR and complementation assays indicated that a mutation had occurred in LOC_Os03g49900 and that the DGS1 allele regulated grain size. DGS1 encodes a protein with a 7-transmembrane domain and C3HC4 type RING domain. It was widely expressed, especially in young tissues. DGS1 is a membrane-located protein. OsBZR1 (BRASSINAZOLE-RESISTANT1), a core transcription activator of BR signaling, also plays a positive role in grain size. We provided preliminary evidence that OsBZR1 can bind to the DGS1 promoter to activate expression of DGS1.

Virus-like particle vaccine by intranasal vaccination elicits protective immunity against respiratory syncytial viral infection in mice.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of lower respiratory infection in infants and children, but there is still no licensed vaccine available. In this report, we developed virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines based on the Bac-to-Bac baculovirus expression system, consisting of an influenza virus matrix (M1) protein and the RSV fusion protein (F) or glycoprotein (G). These RSV VLPs were identified by western blot analysis and electron microscopy. Female BALB/c mice immunized intranasally (i.n.) with RSV-F VLPs, RSV-G VLPs, or both showed viral-specific antibody responses against RSV. Total IgG, IgG1, IgG2a, and mucosal IgA were detected in mice with RSV-F plus RSV-G VLPs, revealing potent cellular and mucosal immune responses. Moreover, we found that these mixed RSV VLPs conferred enhanced protection against live RSV challenges, showing significant decreases in lung viral replication and obvious attenuation of histopathological changes associated with viral infections. These results demonstrate that RSV-F plus RSV-G VLPs by intranasal vaccination is a promising vaccine candidate that warrants further evaluation using cotton rat and primate models.

Insulin therapy stimulates lipid synthesis and improves endocrine functions of adipocytes in dietary obese C57BL/6 mice.

AIM: To evaluate whether insulin intervention could affect the metabolic and endocrine functions of adipose tissue. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were fed on a high-fat-diet for 12-16 weeks to induce insulin resistance. Insulin intervention was administered in the high-fat-diet mice for 4 weeks at 12 weeks (early insulin treatment) or 16 weeks (late insulin treatment). Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests were performed before and after insulin treatment. Expression levels of factors involved in the triglyceride synthesis and endocrine functions of adipose tissue including phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK-C), fatty acid synthase (FAS), aquaporin 7 (AQP7), adiponectin, visfatin, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: In the obese mice, glucose tolerance was impaired; triglyceride content was increased in the liver tissue; protein expression of FAS and adiponectin was decreased; expression of visfatin was increased in adipose tissue. After 4-week insulin treatment, glucose tolerance was improved; triglyceride content was decreased in the liver and skeletal muscle; expression of PEPCK-C, FAS, and adiponectin was increased in the adipose tissue; IL-6 and AQP7 expression was reduced in the fat. Early insulin treatment had better effect in increasing the expression of FAS and PEPCK-C and decreasing the expression of IL-6. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that insulin can target adipocytes for improvement of insulin sensitivity through stimulating triglyceride synthesis and partly improving endocrine functions.

Rice OsBT1 regulates seed dormancy through the glycometabolism pathway.

Seed dormancy and germination in rice (Oryza sativa L.) are complex and important agronomic traits that involve a number of physiological processes and energy. A mutant named h470 selected from a60Co-radiated indica cultivar N22 population had weakened dormancy that was insensitive to Gibberellin (GA) and Abscisic acid (ABA). The levels of GA4 and ABA were higher in h470 than in wild-type (WT) plants. The gene controlling seed dormancy in h470 was cloned by mut-map and transgenesis and confirmed to encode an ADP-glucose transporter protein. A 1 bp deletion in Os02g0202400 (OsBT1) caused the weaker seed dormancy in h470. Metabolomics analyses showed that most sugar components were higher in h470 seeds than the wild type. The mutation in h470 affected glycometabolism.