Exploring the regulatory role of Linc00893 in asthenozoospermia: Insights into sperm motility and SSC viability.

The role of long intergenic noncoding RNA 00893 (Linc00893) in asthenozoospermia (AS) and its impact on sperm motility remains unclear The present study explored the effect of Linc00893 on AS, specifically its effect on sperm motility and its relationship with spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) vitality and myosin heavy chain 9 (MYH9) protein expression. Linc00893 expression was analyzed in semen samples using reverse transcription­quantitative PCR, revealing a significant downregulation in samples from individuals with AS compared with those from healthy subjects. This downregulation was found to be negatively correlated with parameters of sperm motility. To further understand the role of Linc00893, small interfering RNA was used to knockdown its expression in SSCs. This knockdown led to a marked decrease in cell vitality and an increase in apoptosis. Notably, Linc00893 knockdown was shown to inhibit MYH9 expression by competitively binding with microRNA­107, a finding verified by dual­luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation assays. Furthermore, using the GSE160749 dataset from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, it was revealed that MYH9 protein expression was downregulated in AS samples. Subsequently, lentiviral vectors were constructed to induce overexpression of MYH9, which in turn reduced SSC apoptosis and counteracted the apoptosis triggered by Linc00893 knockdown. In conclusion, the present study identified the role of Linc00893 in AS, particularly its regulatory impact on sperm motility, SSC vitality and MYH9 expression. These findings may provide information on the potential regulatory mechanisms in AS development, and identify Linc00893 and MYH9 as possible targets for diagnosing and treating AS­related disorders.

Micro-simulation insights into the functional and mechanistic understanding of glycyrrhizin against asthma.

Asthma is a common chronic respiratory disease, which causes inflammation and airway stenosis, leading to dyspnea, wheezing and chest tightness. Using transgelin-2 as a target, we virtually screened the lead compound glycyrrhizin from the self-built database of anti-asthma compounds by molecular docking technology, and found that it had anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and anti-asthma pharmacological effects. Then, molecular dynamics simulations were used to confirm the stability of the glycyrrhizin-transgelin-2 complex from a dynamic perspective, and the hydrophilic domains of glycyrrhizin was found to have the effect of targeting transgelin-2. Due to the self-assembly properties of glycyrrhizin, we explored the formation process and mechanism of the self-assembly system using self-assembly simulations, and found that hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions were the main driving forces. Because of the synergistic effect of glycyrrhizin and salbutamol in improving asthma, we revealed the mechanism through simulation, and believed that salbutamol adhered to the surface of the glycyrrhizin nano-drug delivery system through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions, using the targeting effect of the hydrophilic domains of glycyrrhizin to reach the pathological parts and play a synergistic anti-asthmatic role. Finally, we used network pharmacology to predict the molecular mechanisms of glycyrrhizin against asthma, which indicated the direction for its clinical transformation.

Recent Advances in Desalination Battery: An Initial Review.

Desalination is one of the most effective strategies to solve the problem of freshwater shortage, which is one of the most critical challenges facing global development. Recently, the desalination battery has become an emerging desalination technology thanks to its high salt-removal capacity enabled by the high capacity of battery electrodes and low energy consumption mainly rooted from the high energy recovery during the discharge process. To promote the development of the desalination battery, we must understand the recent advances and the remaining issues in the field. Herein, we comprehensively review the development of the concept and the electrode materials for a desalination battery, summarize the performance of a full desalination battery, and propose perspectives and guidelines.

Influence of the CYP2J2 Gene Polymorphisms on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Risk in the Chinese Han Population / Influencia de los polimorfismos del gen CYP2J2 en el riesgo de desarrollo de enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica en la población Han China

INTRODUCTION: Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2J2 is a major enzyme that controls epoxyeicosatrienoic acids biosynthesis, which may play a role in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) development. In this study, we aimed to assess the influence of CYP2J2 polymorphisms with COPD susceptibility. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A case-control study enrolled 313 COPD cases and 508 controls was to investigate the association between CYP2J2 polymorphisms and COPD risk. Agena MassARRAY platform was used to genotype CYP2J2 polymorphisms. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to evaluate the association between CYP2J2 polymorphisms and COPD risk. RESULTS: We observed rs11207535 (homozygote: OR = 0.08, 95%CI = 0.01-0.96, p = 0.047; recessive: OR = 0.08, 95%CI = 0.01-0.94, p = 0.044), rs10889159 (homozygote: OR = 0.08, 95%CI = 0.01-0.92, p = 0.043; recessive: OR = 0.08, 95%CI = 0.01-0.90, p = 0.040) and rs1155002 (heterozygote: OR = 1.63, 95%CI = 1.13-2.36, p = 0.009; dominant: OR = 1.64, 95%CI = 1.15-2.35, p = 0.006; additive: OR = 1.45, 95%CI = 1.09-1.92, p = 0.011) were significantly associated with COPD risk. Allelic tests showed T allele of rs2280274 was related to a decreased risk of COPD and T allele of rs1155002 was associated with an increased COPD risk. Stratified analyses indicated the effects of CYP2J2 polymorphisms and COPD risk were dependent on gender and smoking status (p < 0.05). Additionally, two haplotypes (Ars11207535Crs10889159Trs1155002 and Ars11207535Crs10889159Crs1155002) significantly decreased COPD risk. CONCLUSION: It suggested CYP2J2 polymorphisms were associated with COPD susceptibility in the Chinese Han population

INTRODUCCIÓN: El citocromo P450 (CYP) 2J2 es una enzima importante que controla la biosíntesis de los ácidos epoxieicosatrienoicos, y que podría desempeñar un papel en el desarrollo de la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC). En este estudio, nuestro objetivo fue evaluar la influencia de los polimorfismos de CYP2J2 en la susceptibilidad a la EPOC. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio de casos y controles que incluyó 313 casos de EPOC y 508 controles para investigar la asociación entre los polimorfismos de CYP2J2 y el riesgo de desarrollar EPOC. Se utilizó la plataforma Agena MassARRAY para genotipar los polimorfismos de CYP2J2. Se calcularon los odds ratio (OR) con unos intervalos de confianza (IC) del 95% para valorar la asociación entre los polimorfismos de CYP2J2 y el riesgo de la EPOC. RESULTADOS: Observamos que rs11207535 (homocigoto: OR: 0,08, IC 95%: 0,01-0,96; p = 0,047; recesivo: OR: 0,08; IC 95%: 0,01-0,94; p = 0,044), rs10889159 (homocigoto: OR: 0,08, IC 95%: 0,01-0,92; p = 0,043; recesivo: OR: 0,08, IC 95%: 0,01-0,90; p = 0,040) y rs1155002 (heterocigoto: OR: 1,63, IC 95%: 1,13-2,36; p = 0,009; dominante: OR: 1,64, IC 95%: 1,15-2,35; p = 0,006; aditivo: OR: 1,45, IC 95%: 1,09-1,92; p = 0,011) se asociaron significativamente con el riesgo de EPOC. Las pruebas alélicas mostraron que el alelo T de rs2280274 estaba relacionado con una disminución del riesgo de EPOC y el alelo T de rs1155002 se asoció con un mayor riesgo de EPOC. Los análisis estratificados indicaron que los efectos de los polimorfismos de CYP2J2 y el riesgo de EPOC dependían del sexo y del tabaquismo (p < 0,05). Además, 2 haplotipos (Ars11207535Crs10889159Trs1155002 y Ars11207535Crs10889159Crs1155002) reducían significativamente el riesgo de la EPOC. CONCLUSIÓN: El estudio sugirió que los polimorfismos de CYP2J2 se asociaban con la susceptibilidad a la EPOC en la población Han China

Boosting the performance of ZnO microrod metal-semiconductor-metal photodetectors via surface capping of thin amorphous Al2O3 shell layer.

1D ZnO nanostructures have been widely explored due to their potential applications in ultraviolet (UV) region photodetectors because of their unique structural and optoelectronic properties. However, a large number of surface defect states leading to a noticeable dark current hinders their practical applications in UV photodetection. In this work, we have shown improved ZnO/Al2O3 core-shell microrod photodetectors, whose performance is significantly enhanced by defect passivation and the introduction of trap states by atomic layer deposition grown thin amorphous Al2O3 shell layer, as evidenced by steady-state and transient photoluminescence investigations. The photodetectors demonstrated suppressed dark current and increased photocurrent after capping the Al2O3 layer. Specifically, the ZnO/Al2O3 core-shell microrod photodetector exhibited a photoresponsivity as high as 0.019 A/(W cm-2) with the dark current as low as ∼1 × 10-11 A, and a high I light/I dark ratio of ∼104 under relatively weak light illumination (∼10 µW cm-2). The results presented in this work provide valuable pathways to boost the performance of 1D ZnO microrod-based photodetectors for future practical applications.

Genetic Polymorphisms of CYP2C9/CYP2C19 in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a high incidence in the elderly and significantly affects the quality of life. CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 play an important role in tobacco-related diseases and inflammatory reactions. Thus, we aim to investigate the association between CYP2C9/CYP2C19 polymorphisms and the risk of COPD. In this study, a total of 821 subjects were recruited which include 313 COPD cases and 508 healthy controls. Seven SNPs of CYP2C9/CYP2C19 were selected for genotyping. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated using logistic regression analysis to evaluate the association between COPD risk and CYP2C9/CYP2C19 polymorphisms. Our study showed that A allele of rs9332220 in CYP2C9 was associated with reducing COPD risk (OR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.43-0.94, p = 0.021). And rs111853758 G allele carrier could significantly decrease 0.35-fold COPD risk compared with T allele carrier (OR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.45-0.96, p = 0.027). Furthermore, sex-based stratification analysis showed that rs9332220 and rs111853758 polymorphisms were associated with the risk of COPD in males. This is the first study to investigate the association between CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 genetic polymorphisms and COPD risk, which may give a new perspective on the prevention and diagnosis of COPD.

RNA-sequencing and bioinformatics analysis of long noncoding RNAs and mRNAs in the asthenozoospermia.

Asthenozoospermia is one of the major causes of human male infertility. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play critical roles in the spermatogenesis processes. The present study aims to investigate the intricate regulatory network associated with asthenozoospermia. The lncRNAs expression profile was analyzed in the asthenozoospermia seminal plasma exosomes by RNA-sequencing, and the functions of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway and DO (Disease Ontology) enrichment analyses. Pearson's correlation test was utilized to calculate the correlation coefficients between lncRNA and mRNAs. Moreover, the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA co-expression network was constructed with bioinformatics. From the co-expression analyses, we identified the cis regulated correlation pairs lncRNA-mRNA. To confirm sequencing results with five of the identified DElncRNAs were verified with quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). We identified 4228 significantly DEGs, 995 known DElncRNAs, 2338 DEmRNAs and 11,706 novel DElncRNAs between asthenozoospermia and normal group. GO and KEGG analyses showed that the DEGs were mainly associated with metabolism, transcription, ribosome and channel activity. We found 254,981 positive correlations lncRNA-mRNA pairs through correlation analysis. The detailed lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network included 11 lncRNAs, 35 miRNAs and 59 mRNAs. From the co-expression analyses, we identified 7 cis-regulated correlation pairs lncRNA-mRNA. Additionally, the qRT-PCR analysis confirmed our sequencing results. Our study constructed the lncRNA-mRNA-miRNA regulation networks in asthenozoospermia. Therefore, the study findings provide a set of pivotal lncRNAs for future investigation into the molecular mechanisms of asthenozoospermia.

The correlation between CYP4F2 variants and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease risk in Hainan Han population.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex pulmonary disease. Cytochrome P450 family 4 subfamily F member 2 (CYP4F2) belongs to cytochrome P450 superfamily of enzymes responsible for metabolism, its single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were reported to be involved in metabolism in the development of many diseases. The study aimed to assess the relation between CYP4F2 SNPs and COPD risk in the Hainan Han population. METHOD: We genotyped five SNPs in CYP4F2 in 313 cases and 508 controls by Agena MassARRAY assay. The association between CYP4F2 SNPs and COPD risk were assessed by χ2 test and genetic models. Besides, logistic regression analysis was introduced into the calculation for odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Allele model analysis indicated that rs3093203 A was significantly correlated with an increased risk of COPD. Also, rs3093193 G and rs3093110 G were associated with a reduced COPD risk. In the genetic models, we found that rs3093203 was related to an increased COPD risk, while rs3093193 and rs3093110 were related to a reduced risk of COPD. After gender stratification, rs3093203, rs3093193 and rs3093110 showed the association with COPD risk in males. With smoking stratification, rs3093144 was significantly associated with an increased risk of COPD in smokers. CYP4F2 SNPs were significantly associated with COPD risk. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings illustrated potential associations between CYP4F2 polymorphisms and COPD risk. However, large-scale and well-designed studies are needed to determine conclusively the association between the CYP4F2 SNPs and COPD risk.

Influence of the CYP2J2 Gene Polymorphisms on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Risk in the Chinese Han Population.

INTRODUCTION: Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2J2 is a major enzyme that controls epoxyeicosatrienoic acids biosynthesis, which may play a role in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) development. In this study, we aimed to assess the influence of CYP2J2 polymorphisms with COPD susceptibility. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A case-control study enrolled 313 COPD cases and 508 controls was to investigate the association between CYP2J2 polymorphisms and COPD risk. Agena MassARRAY platform was used to genotype CYP2J2 polymorphisms. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to evaluate the association between CYP2J2 polymorphisms and COPD risk. RESULTS: We observed rs11207535 (homozygote: OR=0.08, 95%CI=0.01-0.96, p=0.047; recessive: OR=0.08, 95%CI=0.01-0.94, p=0.044), rs10889159 (homozygote: OR=0.08, 95%CI=0.01-0.92, p=0.043; recessive: OR=0.08, 95%CI=0.01-0.90, p=0.040) and rs1155002 (heterozygote: OR=1.63, 95%CI=1.13-2.36, p=0.009; dominant: OR=1.64, 95%CI=1.15-2.35, p=0.006; additive: OR=1.45, 95%CI=1.09-1.92, p=0.011) were significantly associated with COPD risk. Allelic tests showed T allele of rs2280274 was related to a decreased risk of COPD and T allele of rs1155002 was associated with an increased COPD risk. Stratified analyses indicated the effects of CYP2J2 polymorphisms and COPD risk were dependent on gender and smoking status (p<0.05). Additionally, two haplotypes (Ars11207535Crs10889159Trs1155002 and Ars11207535Crs10889159Crs1155002) significantly decreased COPD risk. CONCLUSION: It suggested CYP2J2 polymorphisms were associated with COPD susceptibility in the Chinese Han population.

CYP2B6 genetic polymorphisms influence chronic obstructive pulmonary disease susceptibility in the Hainan population.

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung disease closely related to exposure to exogenous substances. CYP2B6 can activate many exogenous substances, which in turn affect lung cells. The aim of this study was to assess the association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CYP2B6 with COPD risk in a Chinese Han population. Materials and methods: Genotypes of the five candidate SNPs in CYP2B6 were identified among 318 cases and 508 healthy controls with an Agena MassARRAY method. The association between CYP2B6 polymorphisms and COPD risk was evaluated using genetic models and haplotype analyses. Results: In allele model, we observed that rs4803420 G and rs1038376 A were related to COPD risk. And rs4803420 G/T and G/T-T/T were related to a decreased COPD risk compared to GG genotype in the co-dominant and dominant models, respectively. When comparing with the AA genotype, rs1038376 A/T and A/T-T/T were associated with an increased COPD risk in the co-dominant and dominant models, respectively. Further gender stratification co-dominant and dominant models analysis showed that genotype G/T and G/T-T/T of rs4803420, and genotype A/T and A/T-T/T of rs1038376 were significantly associated with COPD risk compared to the wide type in males and females, while allele C of rs12979270 was only associated with COPD risk in females. Smoking status stratification analysis showed that rs12979270 C was significantly associated with an increased COPD risk under the allele model compared with allele A in the smoking subgroup. Haplotype analysis showed that haplotype GTA and TAA were related to COPD risk. Conclusion: Our data is the first to demonstrate that CYP2B6 polymorphisms may exert effects on COPD susceptibility in the Chinese Han population.

Association between RTEL1 gene polymorphisms and COPD susceptibility in a Chinese Han population.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms in regulation of telomere elongation helicase 1 (RTEL1), which has been associated with telomere length in several brain cancers and age-related diseases, and the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a Chinese Han population. METHODS: In a case-control study that included 279 COPD cases and 290 healthy controls, five single-nucleotide polymorphisms in RTEL1 were selected and genotyped using the Sequenom MassARRAY platform. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using unconditional logistic regression after adjusting for age and gender. RESULTS: In the genotype model analysis, we determined that rs4809324 polymorphism had a decreased effect on the risk of COPD (CC versus TT: OR =0.28; 95% CI =0.10-0.82; P=0.02). In the genetic model analysis, we found that the "C/C" genotype of rs4809324 was associated with a decreased risk of COPD based on the codominant model (OR =0.33; 95% CI =0.13-0.86; P=0.022) and recessive model (OR =0.32; 95% CI =0.12-0.80; P=0.009). CONCLUSION: Our data shed new light on the association between genetic polymorphisms of RTEL1 and COPD susceptibility in the Chinese Han population.

Different effect of handle region peptide on ß-cell function in different sexes of rats neonatally treated with sodium L-glutamate.

BACKGROUND The (pro)renin receptor ((P)RR) was reported to be expressed in various tissues including the pancreas, and handle region peptide (HRP) is believed to block the function of (P)RR. This study aimed to investigate the effect of HRP on the glucose tolerance status and ß-cell function of female rats, neonatally treated with sodium L-glutamate (MSG) and to compare with the previously reported HRP effect on male rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS Female MSG rats aged 8 weeks were divided into MSG control group and HRP treated group and the normal SD rats served as control. The MSG rats were treated with HRP by osmotic minipumps with dose of 1 mg/kg per day for total 28 days. Glucose tolerance status was evaluated at the end of the study. Islets α-cell and ß-cell were marked with insulin antibody and glucagon antibody respectively. The proliferation of islet cells and expression of subunit of NADPH oxidase P22phox were marked by PCNA and P22phox antibody. Picrosirius red staining was performed for evaluating fibrosis of islets. RESULTS HRP improved the glucose status tolerance with decreasing α-cell mass, islets PCNA-positive cells, expression of P22phox and picrosirius red stained areas, and increasing ß-cell mass in female MSG rats. The indexes with obviously interacted effect of sexes and HRP for the MSG rats were the AUC of blood glucose concentration (P<0.01), α-cell mass (P<0.05), proliferation of islet cells (P<0.01) and area of picrosirius red staining (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS HRP improved the glucose tolerance status in the females although it was previously reported to worsen the glucose tolerance in male MSG rats. Different levels of sex hormones may partly account for the disparate effects observed for HRP in different sexes.

Association of genetic polymorphisms with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the Hainan population: a case-control study.

PURPOSE: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is predicted to become the third most common cause of death and the fifth most common cause of disability in the world by 2020. Recently, variants in the hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1A), cholinergic receptor, neuronal nicotinic, alpha polypeptide-5, and iron-responsive element-binding protein 2 gene (IREB2) genes were found to be associated with COPD. This study aims to identify whether the variations in these genes are related to COPD in the Hainan population of the People's Republic of China. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We genotyped 12 single nucleotide polymorphisms in a case-control study with 200 COPD cases and 401 controls from Hainan, People's Republic of China. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using the chi-squared (χ(2)) test, genetic model analysis, haplotype analysis, and stratification analysis. RESULTS: In the genetic model analysis, we found that the genotype T/T of rs13180 of IREB2 decreased the COPD risk by 0.52-fold (P=0.025). But in the further stratification analysis, we failed to find the association between the selected single nucleotide polymorphisms with COPD risk in Han population. In addition, the haplotype analysis of HIF1A gene also was not found to be the possible haplotype associated with COPD risk. CONCLUSION: Our results support that IREB2 rs13180 is associated with COPD in Hainan population. And this is the first time the HIF1A polymorphisms in COPD in a Chinese population has been reported, although we failed to find any significant result.

EGLN2 and RNF150 genetic variants are associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease risk in the Chinese population.

PURPOSE: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major and an increasingly prevalent health problem worldwide. It has been reported that genetic variation may play a role in the development and severity of COPD. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms in multiple genetic variants were associated with COPD in a Chinese population from Hainan province. METHODS: In this case-control study, including 200 COPD patients and 401 controls, we genotyped 14 tag single nucleotide polymorphisms and evaluated their association with COPD using the χ (2) test and genetic model analysis. RESULTS: The polymorphism, rs10007052, in the RNF150 gene was significantly associated with COPD risk at a 5% level (odds ratio =1.43, 95% confidence interval, 1.06-1.95, P=0.020). In the log-additive model, the minor allele (C) of rs10007052 in the RNF150 gene (P=0.026) and the minor allele (C) of rs3733829 in the EGLN2 gene (P=0.037) were associated with COPD risk after adjustment for age, sex, and smoking status. Further haplotype analysis revealed that the "CT" haplotype composed of the mutant allele (C) of rs7937, rs3733829 in the EGLN2 gene, was associated with increased COPD risk (odds ratio =1.55; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-2.31; P=0.029). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that rs10007052 in the RNF150 and rs3733829 in the EGLN2 gene were significantly associated with the risk of COPD in Chinese populations of Hainan province. These data may provide novel insights into the pathogenesis of COPD, although further studies with larger numbers of participants worldwide are needed for validation of our conclusions.

Genetic polymorphisms and phenotypic analysis of drug-metabolizing enzyme CYP2C19 in a Li Chinese population.

CYP2C19 is a highly polymorphic gene and CYP2C19 enzyme results in broad inter-individual variability in response to certain clinical drugs, while little is known about the genetic variation of CYP2C19 in Li Chinese population. The aim of this study was to identify different CYP2C19 mutant alleles and determine their frequencies, along with genotype frequencies, in the Li Chinese population. We used DNA sequencing to investigate promoter, exons, introns, and 3'UTR of the CYP2C19 gene in 100 unrelated healthy Li individuals from Hainan Province, China. We also used SIFT and PolyPhen-2 to predict the protein function of the non-synonymous mutation in CYP2C19 coding regions. We identified 22 different CYP2C19 polymorphisms in the Li Chinese population, including three novel variants (-254A > G, 17807T > C and 58025C > T). The allele frequencies of CYP2C19*1A, *1B, *2A and *3A were 50%, 24%, 24.5%, and 1.5%, respectively. The most common genotype combinations were *1A/*1B (48%) and *1A/*2A (49%). Additionally, the mutation Ala161Pro was predicted to be intolerant and possibly damaging by SIFT and PolyPhen-2, respectively. Our results shed new light on CYP2C19 polymorphisms in Li individuals, which may help to optimize pharmacotherapy effectiveness by providing personalized medicine to this ethnic group.

Handle Region Peptide Ameliorating Insulin Resistance but Not ß Cell Functions in Male Rats Neonatally Treated with Sodium L-Glutamate.

Handle region peptide (HRP), which was recognized as a blocker of (pro)renin receptor ((P)RR), may block the function of (P)RR. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of HRP with a large dose of 1 mg/kg/d on glucose status in the rats treated neonatally with monosodium L-glutamate (MSG). At the age of 8 weeks, the MSG rats were randomly divided into MSG control group, HRP treated group with minipump (MSG-HRP group), losartan treated group (MSG-L group), and HRP and losartan cotreated group (MSG-HRP-L group) and fed with high-fat diet for 4 weeks. Losartan but not HRP increased the levels of insulin releasing and ameliorate glucose status although both losartan and HRP improved insulin sensitivity. On the one hand, both losartan and HRP decreased levels of pancreatic local Ang-II and NADPH oxidase activity as well as its subunits P(22phox). On the other hand, losartan but not HRP decreased α -cell mass and number of PCNA-positive cells located periphery of the islets and decreased picrosirius red stained area in islets. HRP ameliorating insulin resistance but not ß -cell functions leads to hyperglycemia in the end in male MSG rats, and the dual characters of HRP may partly account for the phenomenon.