Whole-genome DNA methylation profiling reveals epigenetic signatures in developing muscle in Tan and Hu sheep and their offspring.

Introduction: The Tan sheep is a popular local breed in China because of its tenderness and flavor. The Hu sheep breed is also famous for its high litter size, and its muscle growth rate is faster than that of Tan sheep. However, the epigenetic mechanism behind these muscle-related phenotypes is unknown. Methods: In this study, the longissimus dorsi tissue from 18 6 month-old Tan sheep, Hu sheep, and Tan-Hu F2 generation (6 sheep per population) were collected. After genomic DNA extraction, whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) and bioinformatics analysis were performed to construct genome-wide DNA methylome maps for the Tan sheep, Hu sheep and their Tan-Hu F2 generation. Results: Distinct genome-wide DNA methylation patterns were observed between Tan sheep and Hu sheep. Moreover, DNA methylated regions were significantly increased in the skeletal muscle from Tan sheep vs. the F2 generation compared to the Hu sheep vs. F2 generation and the Tan sheep vs. Hu sheep. Compared with Hu sheep, the methylation levels of actin alpha 1 (ACTA1), myosin heavy chain 11 (MYH11), Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WAS), vav guanine nucleotide exchange factor 1 (VAV1), fibronectin 1 (FN1) and Rho-associated protein kinase 2 (ROCK2) genes were markedly distinct in the Tan sheep. Furthermore, Gene Ontology analysis indicated that these genes were involved in myotube differentiation, myotube cell development, smooth muscle cell differentiation and striated muscle cell differentiation. Conclusion: The findings from this study, in addition to data from previous research, demonstrated that the ACTA1, MYH11, WAS, VAV1, FN1, and ROCK2 genes may exert regulatory effects on muscle development.

DDAH1 Protects against Acetaminophen-Induced Liver Hepatoxicity in Mice.

In many developed countries, acetaminophen (APAP) overdose-induced acute liver injury is a significant therapeutic problem. Dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase 1 (DDAH1) is a critical enzyme for asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) metabolism. Growing evidence suggests that liver dysfunction is associated with increased plasma ADMA levels and reduced hepatic DDAH1 activity/expression. The purpose of this study was to investigate the involvement of DDAH1 in APAP-mediated hepatotoxicity using Ddah1-/- and DDAH1 transgenic mice. After APAP challenge, Ddah1-/- mice developed more severe liver injury than wild type (WT) mice, which was associated with a greater induction of fibrosis, oxidative stress, inflammation, cell apoptosis and phosphorylation of JNK. In contrast, overexpression of DDAH1 attenuated APAP-induced liver injury. RNA-seq analysis showed that DDAH1 affects xenobiotic metabolism and glutathione metabolism pathways in APAP-treated livers. Furthermore, we found that DDAH1 knockdown aggravated APAP-induced cell death, oxidative stress, phosphorylation of JNK and p65, upregulation of CYP2E1 and downregulation of GSTA1 in HepG2 cells. Collectively, our data suggested that DDAH1 has a marked protective effect against APAP-induced liver oxidative stress, inflammation and injury. Strategies to increase hepatic DDAH1 expression/activity may be novel approaches for drug-induced acute liver injury therapy.

Current situation and influencing factors of blood glucose management in diabetic patients aged 15 and above in Gansu / 公共卫生与预防医学

Objective To analyze the relationship between follow-up service, personal characteristics, lifestyle and blood sugar management of diabetic patients in Gansu Province, and put forward scientific suggestions on influencing blood sugar management of diabetic patients. Methods Based on the data of the 6th National Health Service Questionnaire, 273 subjects were included. Chi-square test and unconditional logistic regression were used to analyze the blood glucose control and its influencing factors of diabetic patients. Results A total of 39.56% patients' blood sugar status was well controlled. 76.92% patients signed up for family doctor service, and 77.66% patients took hypoglycemic drugs according to the law of doctor's advice. There were significant differences in blood sugar control among patients in different regions, educational levels and occupational types (P <0.05) , logistic regression analysis showed that Hui patients (OR=0.21), doctors without family contract (OR=2.86) and patients taking hypoglycemic drugs intermittently (OR = 6.58). Conclusion The blood sugar control rate of diabetic patients in Gansu is low, and the nationality, contracted family doctors and medication plan affect the blood sugar control level of patients. In order to ensure the high efficiency of follow-up treatment, the related follow-up services provided by primary medical institutions, it is necessary to provide self-management programs that meet the individual characteristics and meet the needs of the disease.

Fabrication of a ferritin-casein phosphopeptide-calcium shell-core composite as a novel calcium delivery strategy.

Plant ferritin has a natural cage-like nanospace for carrying bioactive ingredients. By taking advantage of the calcium binding ability of casein phosphopeptide (CPP) and the cage-like conformation of plant ferritin, a ferritin-CPP shell-core complex (FC) was fabricated with the reversible self-assembly character of ferritin induced by a pH 2.0/7.0 transition strategy. The FC-calcium composite (FCC) was further fabricated by binding of the FC with calcium ions. When the same amount of calcium was loaded, the calcium binding capacity of the FCC was 28.13 ± 1.65%, which was significantly higher than that of ferritin and CPP alone. Fluorescence and Fourier transform infrared analysis indicated that the CPP encapsulation and the calcium binding in the FCC influenced the ferritin structure. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) results showed that the spherical morphology and the 12 nm-diameter size were sustained in the FC and FCC. Moreover, the FCC as a transport carrier could increase the precipitation time of calcium phosphate, and the encapsulated calcium could be released in a more sustained manner as compared with ferritin and CPP under simulated in vitro gastrointestinal conditions. This study presents a novel calcium delivery strategy based on the ferritin cage and CPP, which will improve the applicability of ferritin and CPP and enhance the bioavailability of calcium ions.

Long-term follow-up of resection of primary benign right ventricular tumours: a 10-year surgical experience.

INTRODUCTION: Primary benign right ventricular tumours are rare. They can cause significant mortality without appropriate and timely treatment. We investigated surgical treatment and survival characteristics for right ventricular tumours. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2007 to 2017, 21 patients with primary benign right ventricular tumours who underwent tumour resection were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical findings and follow-up results were analysed. RESULTS: Thirteen men and eight women were enrolled, with a mean age of 42.3 ± 15.3 years. The most frequent histotypes were myxoma, haemangioma and papillary fibroelastoma. Eight patients underwent concomitant tricuspid valvuloplasty and one had tricuspid valve replacement. No major adverse events or death occurred during the perioperative period. One patient with haemangioma underwent partial tumour resection; however, the tumour regressed gradually during follow-up. Within the 10-year follow-up period (mean 4.8 ± 2.6 years), the recurrence-free and overall survival rates were 81.0% and 85.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Tumour resection for primary benign right ventricular tumours is safe and effective, and has a good prognosis. Tricuspid valvuloplasty or tricuspid valve replacement may be necessary for the resection of right ventricular tumours to improve the haemodynamics. Haemangiomas naturally undergo spontaneous regression.

Physiological and Metabolic Responses of a Novel Dunaliella salina Strain to Myo-inositol1.

Dunaliella salina is well known for its ability to accumulate large amounts of ß-carotene. Myo-inositol (MI) enhances the biomass production of D. salina, but the underlying mechanisms were unclear. The present study showed that the concentration of exogenous MI decreased gradually and reached a constant level at the 4th day of cultivation. MI enhanced the contents of total colored carotenoids and the activity of photosystem II. Metabolic profiles were significantly changed after the addition of exogenous MI, as revealed by multivariate statistical analysis. The metabolites could be categorized into four groups based on the relative levels in different samples. Exogenous MI increased the levels of most detected sugars, amino acids, and total saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Based on the physiological and metabolic analyses, a hypothetical growth-promoting model that MI promotes the growth of D. salina TG by increasing the levels of key metabolites and possibly enhancing photosynthesis, was proposed. This study provides valuable information for understanding the growth-promoting mechanisms of MI in D. salina from the metabolic perspective.

Metformin protects against PM2.5-induced lung injury and cardiac dysfunction independent of AMP-activated protein kinase α2.

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) airborne pollution increases the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Although metformin is a well-known antidiabetic drug, it also confers protection against a series of diseases through the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). However, whether metformin affects PM2.5-induced adverse health effects has not been investigated. In this study, we exposed wild-type (WT) and AMPKα2-/- mice to PM2.5 every other day via intratracheal instillation for 4 weeks. After PM2.5 exposure, the AMPKα2-/- mice developed more severe lung injury and cardiac dysfunction than were developed in the WT mice; however the administration of metformin was effective in attenuating PM2.5-induced lung injury and cardiac dysfunction in both the WT and AMPKα2-/- mice. In the PM2.5-exposed mice, metformin treatment resulted in reduced systemic and pulmonary inflammation, preserved left ventricular ejection fraction, suppressed induction of pulmonary and myocardial fibrosis and oxidative stress, and increased levels of mitochondrial antioxidant enzymes. Moreover, pretreatment with metformin significantly attenuated PM2.5-induced cell death and oxidative stress in control and AMPKα2-depleted BEAS-2B and H9C2 cells, and was associated with preserved expression of mitochondrial antioxidant enzymes. These data support the notion that metformin protects against PM2.5-induced adverse health effects through a pathway that appears independent of AMPKα2. Our findings suggest that metformin may also be a novel drug for therapies that treat air pollution associated disease.

Photo-Actuation of Liquid Crystalline Elastomer Materials Doped with Visible Absorber Dyes under Quasi-Daylight.

We studied the effect of visible absorber dyes on the photo-actuation performances of liquid crystalline elastomer (LCE) materials under quasi-daylight irradiation. The dye-doped LCE materials were prepared through infiltrating visible absorber dyes into a polysiloxane-based LCE matrix based on its solvent-swollen characteristic. They demonstrated well absorption properties in visible spectrum range and performed strong actuation upon the irradiation from quasi-daylight source, thus indicating that the presence of visible absorber dyes effectively sensitized the LCE materials to light irradiation since the light energy was absorbed by the dyes and then converted into heat to trigger the phase change of LCE matrix. The photo-actuation properties of dye-doped LCE materials with different visible absorber dyes, varied dye contents, and irradiation intensities were investigated. It was shown that the visible absorber dyes with different absorption bands created different photo-actuation performances of LCE materials, the one whose absorption band is near the intensity peak position of quasi-daylight spectrum created the optimum photo-actuation performance. The result disclosed a valuable light utilization way for photo-controlled LCE materials since it revealed that a light-absorbing dye, whose absorption band is in the high intensity region of light spectrum, is capable of effectively utilizing light energy to drive the actuation of LCE materials.

Effects of fine particulate matter PM2.5 in ambient air on the proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis of a human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To evaluate effects of fine particulate matter PM2.5 in ambient air on the proliferation,cell cycle and apoptosis of a human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT.Methods PM2.5 in hazefog episodes during the heating season was collected in Beijing from 2015 to 2016,and processed into PM2.5 suspensions.HaCaT cells were divided into several groups to be treated with culture medium alone (control group),PM2.5 suspensions at different concentrations of 100-400 mg/L (experiment groups,50-800 mg/L for observation of cellular morphology and analysis of cell proliferation) for 24 hours,or cell culture medium without cells or PM2.5 suspensions (blank group).Cellular morphological changes were observed under an inverted microscope.Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was performed to determine cell survival rate,flow cytometry to determine the cell cycle distribution and detect cell apoptosis,and Western blot analysis to determine the protein expression of cyclin A2 and cyclin-dependent kinase1 (CDK1).Results Along with the increase of PM2.5 concentration,HaCaT cells lost their normal shape gradually,and the number of viable cells gradually decreased.Compared with the control group (100％ ± 4.95％),the 50-mg/L PM2.5 group showed no changes in cell survival rates (P ＞ 0.05),while the 100-,200-,400-and 800-mg/L PM2.5 group showed significantly lower survival rates (91.77％ ± 2.04％,80.01％ ± 1.57％,57.80％ ± 1.56％,21.98％ ± 0.86％,respectively,all P ＜ 0.05).Flow cytometry revealed that the 100-,200-and 400-mg/L PM2.5 groups showed gradually increased proportion of cells at S phase,but gradually decreased proportion of cells at G2/M phase compared with the control group (all P ＜ 0.05).As Western blot analysis showed,the protein expression of cyclin A2 and CDK1 significantly decreased in the 100-,200-and 400-mg/L PM2.5 groups compared with the control group,which was lowest in the 200-mg/L PM2.5 group(all P ＜ 0.05).In addition,the 100-,200-and 400-mg/L PM2.5 groups showed significantly higher total apoptosis rates (9.98％ ± 0.21％,12.56％ ± 0.74％,16.74％ ± 1.48％,respectively) compared with the control group (6.24％ ± 0.17％,all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion PM2.5 can inhibit cell proliferation and promote apoptosis of HaCaT cells,likely by downregulating the expression of cyclin A2 and CDK1 and arresting HaCaT cells at S phase.

Effect of Jade-Screen Powder on expression of microRNA in mouse model of asthma / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To study the effect of Jade -Screen Powder (JSP)on regulating expression of 5 microRNAs associated with helper T cells in asthmatic mouse model.Methods Forty Balb /c mice were randomly di-vided into 4 groups,1 0 mice for each group,namely normal control,asthma model,JSP treatment and Dexamethasone treatment.The mouse models of allergic inflammation on both upper and lower airways were established by ovalbumin sensitization and challenge.Interleukin(IL)-1 3 and IL -1 7 expressions were detected from lung homogenates by ELISA.Hematoxylin and eosin staining was also performed to observe the pathological changes in the lung tissue.The expressions of miR -1 46a,miR -1 46b,miR -21 0,miR -1 26 and miR -21 a were detected by quantitative real time PCR from splenocytes.Results The lower levels of IL -1 3 [(6.382 ±1 .690)μg/L]and IL -1 7 [(24.21 2 ± 1 .250)μg/L]were found in JSP treatment group compared with those in the asthma model group [(20.1 54 ±7.960)μg/L;(50.31 2 ±5.770)μg/L,rseparately],there was significant difference in IL -1 3 between JSP group and the asthma model group,as well as IL -1 7 (t =3.785,P =0.005;t =9.891 ,P =0.000).Same findings were found in Dexamethasone treated group as well [IL -1 3:(9.366 ±3.460)μg/L,IL -1 7:(29.1 32 ±4.960)μg/L;t =2.779, P =0.024;t =6.225,P =0.000].However,upregulation of miR -21 0 was observed in JSP treatment group (2.052 ± 0.871 )compared with that in the asthma model group (4.034 ±1 .379)(3.95 folds,t =2.71 8,P =0.026).Mean-time,the expression of miR -1 26 in JSP group (4.920 ±0.924)and Dexamethasone group (3.862 ±1 .51 0)in-creased compared with asthma model group (6.024 ±0.447)(2.1 5 folds,t =2.405,P =0.043,and 4.48 folds,t =-3.069,P =0.01 5).Conclusions Th2 and Th1 7 T cells participate in the pathogenesis of asthma and the asthmatic process can be inhibited by JSP.JSP may affect the helper T cells by regulating miR -21 0 and miR -1 26.

[Distribution of Inflammatory Cells and Expression of PSGL-1 in Infant Brainstem Tissue Related Fatal Brainstem Encephalitis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the distribution of inflammatory cells and positive expression of P-se- lectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) in infant brainstem tissue from hand-foot-mouth disease related fatal brainstem encephalitis. METHODS: Twenty brainstem samples from infants suffered from brainstem en- cephalitis were collected as the experimental group. Ten brainstem samples from infants died of non- brain diseases and injuries were collected as the control group. The distribution of inflammatory cells and the expression of PSGL-1 in the two groups were examined by immunohistochemical method. The characteristics of the positive cells were observed. RESULTS: In brainstem tissue of the experimental group, there were sleeve infiltrations of inflammatory cells around the vessels and in the glial nodule. Microglia was the most and following was neutrophils around the vessels and in the glial nodule. There was a significant statistical difference among microglias, neutrophils and lymphocytes (P < 0.05). There was no sleeve infiltration in the control group. PSGL-1 protein was expressed widely in inflammatory cells in the experimental group, especially in the inflammatory cells around the vessels and in the glial nodule. But PSGL-1 positive staining could be observed significantly less in the control group comparing with the experimental group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Microglia is the main type of inflammatory cells involved in the progress of the fatal disease. Moreover, PSGL-1 could participate in the pathogenesis of hand-foot-mouth disease related fatal brainstem encephalitis.

[GPC Fingerprint Chromatograms of Aloe vera Leaf Gel Polysaccharides].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the gel permeation chromatography (GPC) fingerprint chromatograms of polysaccharides in Aloe vera leaf gel from the same habitat (Beijing) and different habitats for evaluating the quality of Aloe vera leaf gel products commercially available and testing common adulterated substances. METHODS: The samples were prepared by water-extraction and alcohol-precipitation method. GPC separation was performed on a Shodex SUGAR KS-805 (300 mm x 8.0 mm, 7 µm) column and a Shodex SUGAR KS-803 (300 mm x 8.0 mm, 6 µm) column at the temperature of 60 degrees C by eluting with 0.1 mol/L NaNO3 (containing 0.2 per thousand NaN) at a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min, the chromatographic effluent was detected by refractive index detector (RID) at the temperature of 50 degrees C. RESULTS: The common pattern of GPC fingerprint chromatograms was established and four common peaks were demarcated. The similarities of samples from the same habitat (Beijing) and different habitats were over 0.9. Taking the GPC fingerprint chromatograms for the qualified model, three commercially available aloe products were evaluated to be made of Aloe vera by the different manufacturing processes and four common adulterated substances of aloe polysaccharides were identified effectively. CONCLUSION: The method is simple and accurate with a good reproducibility, and it can be used for the identification and quality evaluation of Aloe vera leaf gel products.

Distribution of Inflammatory Cells and Expression of PSGL-1 in Infant Brainstem Tissue Related Fatal Brainstem Encephalitis / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the distribution of inflammatory cells and positive expression of P-se- lectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) in infant brainstem tissue from hand-foot-mouth disease related fatal brainstem encephalitis.@*METHODS@#Twenty brainstem samples from infants suffered from brainstem en- cephalitis were collected as the experimental group. Ten brainstem samples from infants died of non- brain diseases and injuries were collected as the control group. The distribution of inflammatory cells and the expression of PSGL-1 in the two groups were examined by immunohistochemical method. The characteristics of the positive cells were observed.@*RESULTS@#In brainstem tissue of the experimental group, there were sleeve infiltrations of inflammatory cells around the vessels and in the glial nodule. Microglia was the most and following was neutrophils around the vessels and in the glial nodule. There was a significant statistical difference among microglias, neutrophils and lymphocytes (P < 0.05). There was no sleeve infiltration in the control group. PSGL-1 protein was expressed widely in inflammatory cells in the experimental group, especially in the inflammatory cells around the vessels and in the glial nodule. But PSGL-1 positive staining could be observed significantly less in the control group comparing with the experimental group (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Microglia is the main type of inflammatory cells involved in the progress of the fatal disease. Moreover, PSGL-1 could participate in the pathogenesis of hand-foot-mouth disease related fatal brainstem encephalitis.

[Determination of alpha-linolenic acid in perilla oil by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography coupled with evaporative light-scattering detector].

A method for the determination of alpha-linolenic acid in perilla oil was developed using the reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography coupled with evaporative light-scattering detector (RP-HPLC-ELSD). The perilla oil was saponified by 0.5 mol/L KOH-CH3OH solution for 20 min in a 60 degrees C water bath, then acidified by 6 mol/L HCl and finally the dissociative fatty acids, including alpha-linolenic acid, was extracted by anhydrous ether. After the ether was blown out by nitrogen, the residuals were dissolved by 10 mL methanol. The calibration curve was found to be linear over the range of 6.2 - 45.4 microg (r = 0.997 3, n = 5) and the detection limit was 0.11 microg (S/N = 3). The average recovery was 102% and their relative standard deviation (RSD) was 6.3% (n = 5). The content of alpha-linolenic acid in the determined perilla oil was 6.79% which is consistent with the previous report.

Isolation and purification of inflacoumarin A and licochalcone A from licorice by high-speed counter-current chromatography.

High-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) technique in semi-preparative scale has been applied to isolate and purify bioactive flavone compounds from the ethanol extract of Glycyrrhiza inflata Bat., a particular plant species of licorice. HSCCC separation was performed with a two-phase solvent system composed of n-hexane-chloroform-methanol-water (5:6:3:2, v/v) by eluting the lower mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.8 ml/min and a revolution speed of 800 rpm. Purification was performed with a two-phase solvent system composed of n-hexane-chloroform-methanol-water (1.5:6:3:2, v/v) by eluting the lower mobile phase at a flow-rate of 1.5 ml/min and a revolution speed of 800 rpm. Two major flavone peaks: inflacoumarin A and licochalcone A were collected and the respective yields of the peaks amount to 6 mg (8.6%, w/w) and 8 mg (11.4%, w/w) from 70 mg of the crude extract sample. The purities of inflacoumarin A and licochalcone A reached 99.6% and 99.1%, respectively, after a sequential purification run. The structures of inflacoumarin A and licochalcone A were positively confirmed by 1H NMR and 13C NMR, 1H-13C-COSY, UV, FT-IR and electron ionization MS analyses.

[Study on optimal harvest time of semi-wild Glycyrrhiza uralensis at Liangwai, Inner Mongolia].

OBJECTIVE: To study the dynamic accumulation of glycyrrhizic acid (GA) in semi-wild Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. so as to determine its optimal harvest time. METHODS: The content of GA in the plant samples was determined by HPLC. RESULTS: In the same growth period, the content of GA in the plant reached its highest peak in June or July, decreased gradually from August, and reached the lowest in November or December. Then the content of GA increased gradually from next March, and finally reached the highest in June or July again. There was no obvious difference between the content of GA in the one-year-old and the two-year-old Glycyrrhiza uralensis. But the content of GA in the three-year-old increased markedly, and its GA content was much higher than that of the one or two-year-old. CONCLUSION: The optimal harvest time of semi-wild Glycyrrhiza uralensis is in July or August after transplanted three years.

Preparation of ?-cyclodextrin Inclusion Compound of Volatile Oil from Danfu Tongmai Granules / 中药新药与临床药理

Objective To study the inclusion conditions for volatile oil from Danfu Tongmai Granules.Methods With the utilization rate of volatile oil and yield rate of inclusion as indexes,the optimum inclusion conditions were selected by orthogonal design,and the inclusion compound was identified by TLC.Results The optimal inclusion conditions for volatile oil were as follows:a proportion of 1 ∶7(mL ∶g) for oil to ?-cyclodextrin,stirring for 4 hours at 40 ℃.TLC results showed that inclusion process was successful and the main components of volatile oil were similar before and after inclusion.Conclusion This methods can be used for producing ?-cyclodextrin inclusion compound on a large scale.