Prevotella copri promotes vascular calcification via lipopolysaccharide through activation of NF-κB signaling pathway.

Emerging evidence indicates that alteration of gut microbiota plays an important role in chronic kidney disease (CKD)-related vascular calcification (VC). We aimed to investigate the specific gut microbiota and the underlying mechanism involved in CKD-VC. We identified an increased abundance of Prevotella copri (P. copri) in the feces of CKD rats (induced by using 5/6 nephrectomy followed by a high calcium and phosphate diet) with aortic calcification via amplicon sequencing of 16S rRNA genes. In patients with CKD, we further confirmed a positive correlation between abundance of P. copri and aortic calcification scores. Moreover, oral administration of live P. copri aggravated CKD-related VC and osteogenic differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells in vivo, accompanied by intestinal destruction, enhanced expression of Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4), and elevated lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels. In vitro and ex vivo experiments consistently demonstrated that P. copri-derived LPS (Pc-LPS) accelerated high phosphate-induced VC and VSMC osteogenic differentiation. Mechanistically, Pc-LPS bound to TLR4, then activated the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich-containing family, pyrin domain-containing-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome signals during VC. Inhibition of NF-κB reduced NLRP3 inflammasome and attenuated Pc-LPS-induced VSMC calcification. Our study clarifies a novel role of P. copri in CKD-related VC, by the mechanisms involving increased inflammation-regulating metabolites including Pc-LPS, and activation of the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway. These findings highlight P. copri and its-derived LPS as potential therapeutic targets for VC in CKD.

Remnant cholesterol and the risk of aortic valve calcium progression: insights from the MESA study.

BACKGROUND: Remnant cholesterol (RC) is implicated in the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, comprehensive population-based studies elucidating its association with aortic valve calcium (AVC) progression are limited, rendering its precise role in AVC ambiguous. METHODS: From the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis database, we included 5597 individuals (61.8 ± 10.1 years and 47.5% men) without atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease at baseline for analysis. RC was calculated as total cholesterol minus high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), as estimated by the Martin/Hopkins equation. Using the adjusted Cox regression analyses, we examined the relationships between RC levels and AVC progression. Furthermore, we conducted discordance analyses to evaluate the relative AVC risk in RC versus LDL-C discordant/concordant groups. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 2.4 ± 0.9 years, 568 (10.1%) participants exhibited AVC progression. After adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors, the HRs (95% CIs) for AVC progression comparing the second, third, and fourth quartiles of RC levels with the first quartile were 1.195 (0.925-1.545), 1.322 (1.028-1.701) and 1.546 (1.188-2.012), respectively. Notably, the discordant high RC/low LDL-C group demonstrated a significantly elevated risk of AVC progression compared to the concordant low RC/LDL-C group based on their medians (HR, 1.528 [95% CI 1.201-1.943]). This pattern persisted when clinical LDL-C threshold was set at 100 and 130 mg/dL. The association was consistently observed across various sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS: In atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease-free individuals, elevated RC is identified as a residual risk for AVC progression, independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. The causal relationship of RC to AVC and the potential for targeted RC reduction in primary prevention require deeper exploration.

Myeloid cells promote interferon signaling-associated deterioration of the hematopoietic system.

Innate and adaptive immune cells participate in the homeostatic regulation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Here, we interrogate the contribution of myeloid cells, the most abundant cell type in the mammalian bone marrow, in a clinically relevant mouse model of neutropenia. Long-term genetic depletion of neutrophils and eosinophils results in activation of multipotent progenitors but preservation of HSCs. Depletion of myeloid cells abrogates HSC expansion, loss of serial repopulation and lymphoid reconstitution capacity and remodeling of HSC niches, features previously associated with hematopoietic aging. This is associated with mitigation of interferon signaling in both HSCs and their niches via reduction of NK cell number and activation. These data implicate myeloid cells in the functional decline of hematopoiesis, associated with activation of interferon signaling via a putative neutrophil-NK cell axis. Innate immunity may thus come at the cost of system deterioration through enhanced chronic inflammatory signaling to stem cells and their niches.

Identification of optimal reference genes in Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera) for normalization of stress-responsive genes after challenge with pesticides.

Pesticides are frequently used to control pests in agriculture due to their ease of use and effectiveness, but their use causes serious economic losses to sericulture when their production overlaps with agriculture. However, no suitable internal reference genes (RGs) have been reported in the study of silkworms in response to pesticides. In this study, a standard curve was established to detect the expression levels of seven RGs in different tissues of different silkworm strains after feeding with pesticides using reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), including BmGAPDH, BmActin3, BmTBP, BmRPL3, Bm28sRNA, Bmα-tubulin, and BmUBC, and the stability of them was evaluated by using NormFinder, geNorm, Delta CT, BestKeeper, and RefFinder. The results showed that BmGAPDH and Bmα-tubulin were relatively stable in the midgut after feeding with fenvalerate, BmGAPDH and Bmactin3 were relatively stable in the fat body, and Bmα-tubulin and Bmactin3 were relatively stable in the hemolymph, indicating that Bmactin3 was the most suitable RG when evaluating fenvalerate, followed by BmGAPDH and Bmα-tubulin. Besides, BmGAPDH and Bmactin3 were relatively stable in the midgut after treatment with DDVP, BmGAPDH and Bmα-tubulin were relatively stable in the fat body, and BmGAPDH and Bmα-tubulin were relatively stable in the hemolymph, indicating that Bmα-tubulin was the most stable RG when evaluating DDVP, followed by BmGAPDH and Bmactin3. Of note, BmGAPDH was shared by the two pesticides. The results will be valuable for RG selection in studying the pesticide response mechanism of silkworms and other lepidopteran insects.

Cardiomyocyte Atrophy, an Underestimated Contributor in Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity.

Left ventricular (LV) mass loss is prevalent in doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity and is responsible for the progressive decline of cardiac function. Comparing with the well-studied role of cell death, the part of cardiomyocyte atrophy (CMA) playing in the LV mass loss is underestimated and the knowledge of the underlying mechanism is still limited. In this review, we summarized the recent advances in the DOX-induced CMA. We found that the CMA caused by DOX is associated with the upregulation of FOXOs and "atrogenes," the activation of transient receptor potential canonical 3-NADPH oxidase 2 (TRPC3-Nox2) axis, and the suppression of IGF-1-PI3K signaling pathway. The imbalance of anabolic and catabolic process may be the common final pathway of these mechanisms. At last, we provided some strategies that have been demonstrated to alleviate the DOX-induced CMA in animal models.

Application Analysis of Combining BP Neural Network and Logistic Regression in Human Resource Management System.

Human resource management involves a variety of data processing, and the process is complicated. In order to improve the effect of human resource management, this paper combines BP neural network and logistic regression analysis to construct an intelligent human resource management system and uses backpropagation learning to adjust training errors and determine connection weights. Moreover, this paper estimates the probability of a certain event through regression analysis, predicts and analyzes the human resource management process, and builds an intelligent human resource management system with the support of joint algorithms. In order to explore the reliability of the joint algorithm proposed in this paper, the effectiveness of the algorithm proposed in this paper is verified through simulation tests. The experimental research results show that the human resource management system based on BP neural network and logistic regression proposed in this paper has good practical effects.

Effect of single locked-plate internal fixation combined with autogenous iliac bone graft in the treatment of Rorabeck type II periprosthetic distal femoral fracture after total knee arthroplasty / 中华创伤杂志

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of single locked-plate internal fixation combined with autologous iliac bone graft in the treatment of Rorabeck type II periprosthetic distal femural fracture (PDFF) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).Methods:A retrospective case series study was made on 13 patients suffering from Rorabeck type II PDFF after primary TKA together with severe osteoporosis (T value≤ -2.5 SD) admitted to 940th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of PLA from January 2016 to December 2020, including 4 males and 9 females, aged 65-85 years [(75.2±6.5)years]. All patients were treated with single locked-plate internal fixation combined with autologous iliac bone graft. Anti-osteoporosis and early standardized joint function rehabilitation were undertaken postoperatively. The operation time and intraoperative blood loss were recorded. The range of motion of knee joint was compared before operation, at postoperative 3, 6 and 12 months and at the last follow-up. The Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score was assessed at postoperative 3, 6 and 12 months and at the last follow-up to evaluate the recovery of knee joint function. The bone mineral density was reexamined at postoperative 6 months and 12 months to evaluate the therapeutic effect of anti-osteoporosis. Complications were detected as well.Results:All patients were followed up for 12-72 months [(43.2±19.9)months]. The operation time was 90-135 minutes [(103.8±12.6)minutes], with the intraoperative blood loss of 100-250 ml [(150.0±45.6)ml]. The range of motion of knee joint was (114.6±7.8)°, (90.4±8.0)°, (97.3±4.8)° and (98.1±6.3)° before operation and at postoperative 3, 6 and 12 months (all P<0.05). The HSS knee score was (80.2±2.2)points, (84.6±2.9)points and (87.3±3.3)points at postoperative 3, 6 and 12 months (all P<0.05). The knee joint function was excellent in 10 patients and good in 3 at postoperative12 months, and the excellent and good rate was 100%. The T value of bone mineral density was (-3.8±0.6)SD, (-3.4±0.6)SD and (-2.9±0.6)SD preoperatively and at postoperative 6 months and 12 months (all P<0.05). One patient experienced nonunion and was cured after secondary autologous iliac bone grafting combined with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) bone grafting. Three patients developed venous thrombosis of lower limbs and were cured with oral administration of rivaroxaban. One patient had mild knee flexion and extension limitation and was improved after manual release under femoral nerve block anesthesia and subsequent functional rehabilitation. Conclusion:For patients with Rorabeck type II PDFF after TKA, single locked-plate internal fixation combined with autologous iliac bone graft has advantages of short operation time, few intraoperative bleeding, satisfactory knee range of motion and functional recovery as well as significant improvement of bone mineral density.

Precocious Metamorphosis of Silkworm Larvae Infected by BmNPV in the Latter Half of the Fifth Instar.

The mulberry silkworm (Bombyx mori) is a model organism, and BmNPV is a typical baculovirus. Together, these organisms form a useful model to investigate host-baculovirus interactions. Prothoracic glands (PGs) are also model organs, used to investigate the regulatory effect of synthetic ecdysone on insect growth and development. In this study, day-4 fifth instar silkworm larvae were infected with BmNPV. Wandering silkworms appeared in the infected groups 12 h earlier than in the control groups, and the ecdysone titer in infected larvae was significantly higher than that of the control larvae. We then used RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to analyze silkworm PGs 48 h after BmNPV infection. We identified 15 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that were classified as mainly being involved in metabolic processes and pathways. All 15 DEGs were expressed in the PGs, of which Novel01674, BmJing, and BmAryl were specifically expressed in the PGs. The transcripts of BmNGDN, BmTrypsin-1, BmACSS3, and BmJing were significantly increased, and BmPyd3, BmTitin, BmIGc2, Novel01674, and BmAryl were significantly decreased from 24 to 72 h in the PGs after BmNPV infection. The changes in the transcription of these nine genes were generally consistent with the transcriptome data. The upregulation of BmTrypsin-1 and BmACSS3 indicate that these DEGs may be involved in the maturation process in the latter half of the fifth instar of silkworm larvae. These findings further our understanding of silkworm larval development, the interaction between BmNPV infection and the host developmental response, and host-baculovirus interactions in general.

[Study on fragmentation patterns of coumarins in Notopterygium inchum with ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography combined with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry].

To demonstrate the fragmentation patterns of simple coumarins furanocourmarin(C_7-C_8), furanocourmarin(C_6-C_7) and dihydrofuran coumarin by mass spectrometry, with fraxin, scopoletin, isopsoralen, pimpinellin, isoimperatorin, notopterol and noda-kenin as study subjects, so as to provide a basis for rapid identification of compounds in different subtypes of coumarins. Ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography combined with quardrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) was implemented in both positive and negative ion modes. Masslynx software was employed to provide the elemental constituents of each detected ion based on its accurate molecular weight. Chemdraw 2014 was used to cultivate mass number of each inferred structure. The fragment pattern of each compound was determined based on the structures inferred from all the relevant ions. And the patterns were drawn by Chemdraw 2014. The deviation between the calculated molecular weight of the inferred structure and the detected value of the ions was used to assess the correctness of the inferred structures in the fragmentation patterns. The results showed that with UPLC-Q-TOF, neutral loss of CO_2 and CO was reflected in lactone and furan skeletons from the courmarin structure. An even mass was attributed to the loss of an odd number of methyl radicals from compounds with a methoxy substituent. Furanocourmarin(C_7-C_8) produced a protonated molecular ion([M+H]~+), while the other courmarin subtypes produced either a sodium adduct of the molecular ion([M+Na]~+) or a sodium adduct of the molecular ion([M+Na]~+) with a protonated molecular ion([M+H]~+). The m/z 203.03 was a diagnostic ion for furanocourmarin(C_6-C_7), and the m/z 147.04 was supplementary evidence for furanocourmarin(C_6-C_7) identification. The characteristic ion of furanocourmarin(C_7-C_8) was m/z 131.05, while m/z 187.04 was the characteristic ion of dihydrofuran coumarin. The m/z 203.03 ion for furanocourmarin(C_7-C_8) was pretty weak. In negative ion mode, furanocourmarin(C_7-C_8) did not have any signals that were different from the other subtypes of courmarins. The fragmentation patterns in negative ion mode for the other subtypes of courmarins were similar to those in positive ion mode. Four types of fragmentation patterns were identified as forcourmarins from Notopterygium inchum. This study provides the basis for the rapid identification of courmarin subtypes by mass spectrometry.

The validation of the role of several genes related to Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus infection in vivo.

Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) is one of primary silkworm pathogens and causes a serious damage of cocoon losses every year. Recent years, many works have been done to clarify the silkworm anti-BmNPV mechanism, and a significant progress has been made in screening and studying of genes and proteins related to BmNPV infection, but several of them lacked the proofs in vivo. In this study, to further validate the function of seven newly reported genes in vivo, including BmAtlatin-n, Bmferritin-heavy chain (BmFerHCH), Bmthymosin (BmTHY), Bmseroin1, Bmseroin2, Bmnuclear hormone receptors 96 (BmNHR96), and BmE3 ubiquitin-protein ligase SINA-like 10 (BmSINAL10), the response of them in the midgut, fat body, and hemolymph of differentially resistant strains (resistant strain YeA and susceptible strain YeB) at 48 h following BmNPV infection were analyzed. The results showed that the relative stable or upregulated expression level of BmAtlatin-n, BmTHY, Bmseroin1, and Bmseroin2 in YeA resistant strain following BmNPV infection further indicated their antiviral role in vivo, compared with susceptible YeB strain. Moreover, the significant downregulation of BmFerHCH, BmNHR96, and BmSINAL10 in both strains following BmNPV infection revealed their role in benefiting virus infection, as well as the upregulation of BmFerHCH in YeB midgut and BmSINAL10 in YeB hemolymph. These data could be used to complementary the proofs of the function of these genes in response to BmNPV infection.

Study on fragmentation patterns of coumarins in Notopterygium inchum with ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography combined with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry / 中国中药杂志

To demonstrate the fragmentation patterns of simple coumarins furanocourmarin(C_7-C_8), furanocourmarin(C_6-C_7) and dihydrofuran coumarin by mass spectrometry, with fraxin, scopoletin, isopsoralen, pimpinellin, isoimperatorin, notopterol and noda-kenin as study subjects, so as to provide a basis for rapid identification of compounds in different subtypes of coumarins. Ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography combined with quardrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) was implemented in both positive and negative ion modes. Masslynx software was employed to provide the elemental constituents of each detected ion based on its accurate molecular weight. Chemdraw 2014 was used to cultivate mass number of each inferred structure. The fragment pattern of each compound was determined based on the structures inferred from all the relevant ions. And the patterns were drawn by Chemdraw 2014. The deviation between the calculated molecular weight of the inferred structure and the detected value of the ions was used to assess the correctness of the inferred structures in the fragmentation patterns. The results showed that with UPLC-Q-TOF, neutral loss of CO_2 and CO was reflected in lactone and furan skeletons from the courmarin structure. An even mass was attributed to the loss of an odd number of methyl radicals from compounds with a methoxy substituent. Furanocourmarin(C_7-C_8) produced a protonated molecular ion([M+H]~+), while the other courmarin subtypes produced either a sodium adduct of the molecular ion([M+Na]~+) or a sodium adduct of the molecular ion([M+Na]~+) with a protonated molecular ion([M+H]~+). The m/z 203.03 was a diagnostic ion for furanocourmarin(C_6-C_7), and the m/z 147.04 was supplementary evidence for furanocourmarin(C_6-C_7) identification. The characteristic ion of furanocourmarin(C_7-C_8) was m/z 131.05, while m/z 187.04 was the characteristic ion of dihydrofuran coumarin. The m/z 203.03 ion for furanocourmarin(C_7-C_8) was pretty weak. In negative ion mode, furanocourmarin(C_7-C_8) did not have any signals that were different from the other subtypes of courmarins. The fragmentation patterns in negative ion mode for the other subtypes of courmarins were similar to those in positive ion mode. Four types of fragmentation patterns were identified as forcourmarins from Notopterygium inchum. This study provides the basis for the rapid identification of courmarin subtypes by mass spectrometry.

Effect of Weiwei Tongtiao Decoction on Expression of IKKβ, Bcl-2 in CAG Precancerous Lesion Rats / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of Weiwei Tongtiao decoction on gastric mucosal pathology and the expression level of inhibitor kappa B kinase <italic>β</italic>（IKK<italic>β</italic>） and B-cell lymphoma-2（Bcl-2）in rats with chronic atrophic gastritis （CAG） precancerous lesion. Method:SD rats were randomly divided into normal group， model group， positive drug Weifuchun group， Weiwei Tongtiao decoction high， medium and low dose treatment groups. The rat model of CAG precancerous lesion was prepared by <italic>N</italic>-methyl-<italic>N</italic>'-nitro-<italic>N</italic>-nitrosoguanidine （MNNG）compound modeling method. weiwei Tongtiao decoction high， medium and low dose treatment groups received intragastric administration of 24， 12， 6 g·kg^-1 Weiwei Tongtiao decoction respectively， while Weifuchun group received 0.45 g·kg^-1 Weifuchun suspension， once per day for 12 weeks. The pathological changes of gastric mucosa of rats were observed by hematoxylin-eosin（HE）staining， and the mRNA and protein levels of IKK<italic>β</italic> and Bcl-2 in gastric mucosa of rats were detected by Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）， immunohistochemistry（IHC）and Western blot. Result:Compared with the normal group， 100% inherent gland atrophy， mild to severe intestinal metaplasia， and 25% low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia were observed under microscope in model group. All Weifuchun group and Weiwei Tongtiao decoction groups could improve the atrophy of gastric glands， moderate to severe intestinal metaplasia and pathological injury of low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia， especially at high dose group. Compared with the normal group， IKK<italic>β</italic>， Bcl-2 mRNA and protein expressions in the gastric mucosa of the model group were up-regulated （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the model group， the mRNA and protein expressions of IKK<italic>β</italic> and Bcl-2 in gastric mucosa of rats in the Weifuchun group and the Weiwei Tongtiao decoction high， medium and low dose groups were down-regulated （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）， showing a dose-dependent relationship， and such levels in the Weiwei Tongtiao decoction high-dose intervention group were similar to those in normal group. Conclusion:Weiwei Tongtiao decoction can improve and even reverse gastric mucosa with CAG precancerous lesions in rats， and its intervention mechanism may be related to down-regulating the expressions of IKK<italic>β</italic> and Bcl-2 in gastric mucosa.

[Influence of early bolting on anatomical structure and coumarins of Peucedanum praeruptorum].

To explore the effects of early bolting on the quality of Peucedanum praeruptorum, the anatomical structures of P. praeruptorum root between bolting and no-bolting were investigated by paraffin section method, and contents of praeruptorin A, praeruptorin B, praeruptorin E, bergapten were determined by HPLC, then the differences and inter-relations were studied by comparative analysis method. The results showed that there existed great influences of early bolting on the root anatomical structures and coumarins content of P. praeruptorum.(1)The area of pericyclic parenchyma tissue and secondary phloem in P. praeruptorum without bolting are large, and have higher content of coumarins.(2) The areas of secondary phloem in bolting P. praeruptorum are large, and have lot of vessels and wood fiber, and the content of coumarins is low.(3)There are significant different of coumarins contents in P. praeruptorum with and without bolting, in their main root(MR),outside the vascular cambium(PP), inside the vascular cambium(PX), and the leaf(LF) parts, and the total content of coumarins was PP>MR>LF>PX. Accordingly, the root anatomical structure and active component of P. praeruptorum were changed after early bolting, which have an important influence on the quality of Peucedani Radix.

Improved hybrid de novo genome assembly and annotation of African wild rice, Oryza longistaminata, from Illumina and PacBio sequencing reads.

African wild rice Oryza longistaminata, one of the eight AA- genome species in the genus Oryza, possesses highly valued traits, such as the rhizomatousness for perennial rice breeding, strong tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses, and high biomass production on poor soils. To obtain the high-quality reference genome for O. longistaminata we employed a hybrid assembly approach through incorporating Illumina and PacBio sequencing datasets. The final genome assembly comprised only 107 scaffolds and was approximately ∼363.5 Mb, representing ∼92.7% of the estimated African wild rice genome (∼392 Mb). The N50 lengths of the assembled contigs and scaffolds were ∼46.49 Kb and ∼6.83 Mb, indicating ∼3.72-fold and ∼18.8-fold improvement in length compared to the earlier released assembly (∼12.5 Kb and 364 Kb, respectively). Aided with Hi-C data and syntenic relationship with O. sativa, these assembled scaffolds were anchored into 12 pseudo-chromosomes. Genome annotation and comparative genomic analysis reveal that lineage-specific expansion of gene families that respond to biotic- and abiotic stresses are of great potential for mining novel alleles to overcome major diseases and abiotic adaptation in rice breeding programs. This reference genome of African wild rice will greatly enlarge the existing database of rice genome resources and unquestionably form a solid base to understand genomic basis underlying highly valued phenotypic traits and search for novel gene sources in O. longistaminata for the future rice breeding programs.

Perinatal depression: Data-driven subtypes derived from life history and mindfulness and personality.

BACKGROUND: Perinatal depression is the most prevalent mental disorder during the perinatal period, and research suggests that it presents heterogeneously. We aimed to explore how subtypes of perinatal depression present in terms of multivariate patterns of stable characteristics. METHODS: A cohort study was conducted from March 2016 to March 2018 with Chinese women in the prenatal period (n = 3186). Of the participants, 682 (21.41%) women with Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale scores ≥10, indicating probable depression, were included, with the remaining 2504 (78.59%) representing the control group. We assessed mood distress, cognition, life history, emotional regulation, and personality, and used latent class analysis and latent transition analysis to identify perinatal depression subtypes. Of the 682 women with probable depression, only 598 were included in the full analyses, as they completed at least 10 questionnaires. A second, non-overlapping sample and a follow-up cohort were used. RESULTS: We identified four subtypes: 1) a highly distressed type characterized by distress across all domains, high levels of rumination and neuroticism, and reduced trait mindfulness; 2) two moderately distressed types: one with high trauma and low perceived social support, and another with low trauma, high perceived social support, and expressive suppression; and 3) a slightly distressed subtype. LIMITATIONS: We only collected cost and time spent in hospital from medical records. We only had a small follow-up sample. CONCLUSIONS: This multidimensional subtyping of women with perinatal depression could help reduce the apparent heterogeneity of perinatal depression. Distinguishing the subtype characteristics facilitates identifying underlying causes of perinatal depression.

Draft genomes of two outcrossing wild rice, Oryza rufipogon and O. longistaminata, reveal genomic features associated with mating-system evolution.

Oryza rufipogon and O. longistaminata are important wild relatives of cultivated rice, harboring a promising source of novel genes for rice breeding programs. Here, we present de novo assembled draft genomes and annotation of O. rufipogon and O. longistaminata. Our analysis reveals a considerable number of lineage-specific gene families associated with the self-incompatibility (SI) and formation of reproductive separation. We show how lineage-specific expansion or contraction of gene families with functional enrichment of the recognition of pollen, thus enlightening their reproductive diversification. We documented a large number of lineage-specific gene families enriched in salt stress, antifungal response, and disease resistance. Our comparative analysis further shows a genome-wide expansion of genes encoding NBS-LRR proteins in these two outcrossing wild species in contrast to six other selfing rice species. Conserved noncoding sequences (CNSs) in the two wild rice genomes rapidly evolve relative to selfing rice species, resulting in the reduction of genomic variation owing to shifts of mating systems. We find that numerous genes related to these rapidly evolving CNSs are enriched in reproductive structure development, flower development, and postembryonic development, which may associate with SI in O. rufipogon and O. longistaminata.

Effect of Addition and Subtraction Therapy of Xiaoyaosan Combined with Simotang to Gut-brain Axis of Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Predominant Constipation and Syndrome of Stagnation of Liver Qi / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe clinical effect of addition and subtraction therapy of Xiaoyaosan combined with Simotang to irritable bowel syndrome with predominant constipation （IBS-C） and syndrome of stagnation of liver Qi and to study influence to gut-brain axis. Method:One hundred and forty-four patients were randomly divided into control group （72 cases） and observation group （72 cases） by random number table. The 66 patients in control group completed the therapy （2 patients were falling off or missing visit， 5 patients were eliminate）， 65 patients in observation group completed the therapy （4 patients were falling off or missing visit， 2 patients were eliminate）. Patients in control group got Simotang， 20 mL/time， 3 times/day. In control group， patients in observation group added addition and subtraction therapy of Xiaoyaosan combined with Simotang， 1 dose/day. And courses of treatment in two groups were 4 weeks. Before and after treatment， degree of abdominal pain， irritable bowel syndrome （IBS） symptom severity scale （IBS-SSS）， quality of life in irritable bowel syndrome （IBS-QOL）， syndrome of stagnation of liver Qi， scores of Hamilton anxiety scale-14（HAMA-14）， Hamilton depression scale-17（HAMD-17）， complete spontaneous bowel movement （CSBM）， response rate of abdominal pain and defecation， remission rate of IBS-SSS were all recorded. And levels of vasoactive intestinal peptide （VIP）， substance P （SP）， neuropeptide Y （NPY）， 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT）， somatostatin （SS） and calcitonin related gene peptide were detected， and safety was evaluated. Result:Degree of abdominal pain， scores of IBS-SSS， syndrome of stagnation of liver Qi ， HAMA-14， HAMD-17 and levels of VIP， NPY， 5-HT， SS and CGRP in observation group were all lower than those in control group （P<0.01）. And times of CSBM， score of IBS-QOL and level of SP were all higher than those in control group （P<0.01）. Besides， response rate of abdominal pain and defecation and remission rate of IBS-SSS in observation group 95.38%（62/65）， 93.85%（61/65） and 90.77%（59/65）were higher than 83.33%（55/66），78.79%（52/66）and 75.76%（50/66） in control group （P<0.05）. And curative effect of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndromes in was better than that in control group （Z=2.1034， P<0.05）. No serious adverse events happened and no adverse reaction caused by TCM. Conclusion:Addition and subtraction therapy of Xiaoyaosan combined with Simotang can significantly ameliorate IBS-C symptoms， reduce bad mood， improve patients' quality of life， regulate a variety of brain gut peptide factors， and improve brain gut axis disorder. It has good clinical efficacy and safety.

Advances on research of physical environment affecting stem cell differentiation in ligament tissue engineering / 中国骨伤

Ligament tissue engineering is currently a novel approach to the treatment of ligament injury, which can replace the deficiency of autografts. Ligament tissue engineering consists of four basic elements:seed cells, nanoscaffolds, growth factors, and mechanical stimulation. At present, the main problem in ligament tissue engineering is how to control seed cells to ligament cells more controllly. The study found that each physical property of the natural bio ligament and mechanical stimulation (uniaxial stretching) plays an important role in the differentiation of stem cells into ligament cells. Therefore, the design of nanofiber scaffolds must consider the elastic modulus of the material and the material. Structure(material arrangement, porosity and diameter, etc.), elastic modulus and material structure in different ranges will guide cells to differentiate into different lineages. Considering that the ligament is the main force-bearing tissue of the human body, mechanical stimulation is also essential for stem cell differentiation, especially uniaxial stretching, which best meets the stress of the ligament in the body. A large number of studies have found the frequency and amplitude of stretching. And time will also lead the cells to differentiate in different directions. RhoA/ROCK plays a regulatory role in cytoskeletal remodeling and cell differentiation. It is also found that RhoA/ROCK protein participates in the process of nanofiber arrangement and uniaxial stretching to guide stem cells to differentiate into ligament cells, specifically how to influence stem cell differentiation. It is not clear at present that understanding the effects of physical properties on stem cell differentiation and understanding the mechanism of action of RhoA/ROCK protein will provide a new theoretical basis for further optimization of ligament tissue engineering.

Comparative Proteomic Analysis Reveals Immune Competence in Hemolymph of Bombyx mori Pupa Parasitized by Silkworm Maggot Exorista sorbillans.

The silkworm maggot, Exorista sorbillans, is a well-known larval endoparasitoid of the silkworm Bombyx mori that causes considerable damage to the silkworm cocoon crop. To gain insights into the response mechanism of the silkworm at the protein level, we applied a comparative proteomic approach to investigate proteomic differences in the hemolymph of the female silkworm pupae parasitized by E. sorbillans. In total, 50 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were successfully identified, of which 36 proteins were upregulated and 14 proteins were downregulated in response to parasitoid infection. These proteins are mainly involved in disease, energy metabolism, signaling pathways, and amino acid metabolism. Eight innate immune proteins were distinctly upregulated to resist maggot parasitism. Apoptosis-related proteins of cathepsin B and 14-3-3 zeta were significantly downregulated in E. sorbillans-parasitized silkworm pupae; their downregulation induces apoptosis. Quantitative PCR was used to further verify gene transcription of five DEPs, and the results are consistent at the transcriptional and proteomic levels. This was the first report on identification of possible proteins from the E. bombycis-parasitized silkworms at the late stage of parasitism, which contributes to furthering our understanding of the response mechanism of silkworms to parasitism and dipteran parasitoid biology.