A Novel Metabolic Score for Predicting the Acute Exacerbation in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has higher mortality when developing to acute exacerbation (AECOPD); hence, the early intervention of COPD is critical for preventing AECOPD. Exploring the serum metabolites associated with acute exacerbation in patients with COPD will contribute to the early intervention of COPD. Methods: In the study, a non-targeted metabolomics strategy combined with multivariate statistical methods was performed to explore the metabolic profiling of COPD developing acute exacerbation, to screen the potential metabolites associated with AECOPD and to analyze the potential value of these metabolites in predicting the development of COPD. Results: Serum lysine, glutamine, 3-hydroxybutyrate, pyruvate and glutamate levels were significantly higher, while 1-methylhistidine, isoleucine, choline, valine, alanine, histidine and leucine levels were significantly lower in AECOPD patients, compared with stable COPD patients after normalization based on the healthy controls. Moreover, eight metabolic pathways were significantly altered (P<0.05) in the serum of AECOPD patients compared with the stable COPD population, including purine metabolism, glutamine and glutamate metabolism, arginine biosynthesis, butyrate metabolism, ketone body synthesis and degradation, and linoleic acid metabolism. In addition, the correlation analysis between metabolites and AECOPD patients demonstrated that an M-score based on a weighted sum of concentrations of four metabolites including pyruvate, isoleucine, 1-methylhistidine and glutamine were significantly associated with the acute exacerbation of pulmonary ventilation function in COPD patients. Conclusion: Altogether, the metabolite score based on a weighted sum of concentrations of four serum metabolites was associated with an increased risk of COPD developing acute exacerbation, which will provide a new insight for the understanding of COPD development.

Whole genome analysis of host-associated lactobacillus salivarius and the effects on hepatic antioxidant enzymes and gut microorganisms of Sinocyclocheilus grahami.

As a fish unique to Yunnan Province in China, Sinocyclocheilus grahami hosts abundant potential probiotic resources in its intestinal tract. However, the genomic characteristics of the probiotic potential bacteria in its intestine and their effects on S. grahami have not yet been established. In this study, we investigated the functional genomics and host response of a strain, Lactobacillus salivarius S01, isolated from the intestine of S. grahami (bred in captivity). The results revealed that the total length of the genome was 1,737,623 bp (GC content, 33.09%), comprised of 1895 genes, including 22 rRNA operons and 78 transfer RNA genes. Three clusters of antibacterial substances related genes were identified using antiSMASH and BAGEL4 database predictions. In addition, manual examination confirmed the presence of functional genes related to stress resistance, adhesion, immunity, and other genes responsible for probiotic potential in the genome of L. salivarius S01. Subsequently, the probiotic effect of L. salivarius S01 was investigated in vivo by feeding S. grahami a diet with bacterial supplementation. The results showed that potential probiotic supplementation increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and POD) in the hepar and reduced oxidative damage (MDA). Furthermore, the gut microbial community and diversity of S. grahami from different treatment groups were compared using high-throughput sequencing. The diversity index of the gut microbial community in the group supplemented with potential probiotics was higher than that in the control group, indicating that supplementation with potential probiotics increased gut microbial diversity. At the phylum level, the abundance of Proteobacteria decreased with potential probiotic supplementation, while the abundance of Firmicutes, Actinobacteriota, and Bacteroidota increased. At the genus level, there was a decrease in the abundance of the pathogenic bacterium Aeromonas and an increase in the abundance of the potential probiotic bacterium Bifidobacterium. The results of this study suggest that L. salivarius S01 is a promising potential probiotic candidate that provides multiple benefits for the microbiome of S. grahami.

Aggregation of the metallocycles {Cu8} and {Cu20} using [Cu(bp)] units (H2bp = bis(2-hydroxybenzyl)amine): structures and magnetic properties.

Two metallocycles, {Cu8(bp)4(OH)4(H2O)4(ClO4)4} (1) and {Cu20(bp)20} (2), were afforded by the reactions of the semi-flexible tridentate ligand bis(2-hydroxybenzyl)amine (H2bp) with Cu(ClO4)2·6H2O and Cu(OAc)2·H2O. Complex 1 has a saddle-shaped cyclic structure and complex 2 has a nanosized wheel-shaped structure. The two compounds consist of [Cu(bp)] units.

Characteristics of very virulent infectious bursal disease viruses isolated from Chinese broiler chickens (2012-2013).

The objective of this study was to characterize the infectious bursal disease viruses (IBDVs) circulating in broiler chicken farms in China between 2012 and 2013. The VP2 gene sequences of nine newly isolated IBDVs, obtained using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, were determined and compared with worldwide reference isolates, which have been previously well characterized. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the nine broiler IBDV isolates are closely related to very virulent IBDV (vvIBDV) strains. Analysis of the predicted amino acid sequences of VP2 from the nine vvIBDVs isolated from the broilers revealed that they share 99.2 to 100% sequence similarity. Additionally, amino acids A222, I242, I256, I294 and S299 of VP2 that are conserved among previously characterized vvIBDV strains are also encoded by the nine isolates. This study confirms the circulation of vvIBDVs in Chinese broiler chicken farms experienced slow evolution and was relatively stable in China.

TNF-α, IL-6, and leptin increase the expression of miR-378, an adipogenesis-related microRNA in human adipocytes.

Obesity has become a global public health problem associated with complications including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and several cancers. Adipocyte differentiation (adipogenesis) plays an important role in obesity and energy homeostasis. Adipose tissue secretes multiple cytokines and adipokines which can cause the complications of obesity, especially insulin resistance. TNF-α, IL-6, leptin, and resistin have been identified as the main regulators of obesity and insulin activity. miR-378 is highly induced during adipogenesis and has been reported to be positively regulated in adipogenesis. In the current study, matured human adipocytes were treated with TNF-α, IL-6, leptin, or resistin on the 15th day after the induction of human pre-adipocyte differentiation. We demonstrated that TNF-α, IL-6, and leptin upregulated miR-378 expression indicating that miR-378 probably is a novel mediator in the development of insulin resistance related to obesity.

Analysis of EphA5 receptor in the developing rat brain: an in vivo study in congenital hypothyroidism model.

UNLABELLED: The EphA5 receptor has recently been known to play an important role in the initiation of the early phase of synaptogenesis, during which irreparable harm would be done to the developing brain in the absence of sufficient thyroid hormone (TH). In the present article, we aimed to analyze the characteristics of EphA5 receptor expression in the brain of congenital hypothyroid rats. The results showed that the levels of the EphA5 receptor were downregulated by TH deficiency in the developing rat brain with remarkable spatial and temporal characteristics. In the hypothyroid rats, the mRNA and protein levels of EphA5 receptor decreased significantly in the hippocampus (27.92-53.26%), cerebral cortex (12.52-47.16%), and cerebellum (8.72-31.69%) compared with those in the normal rats from postnatal day 0 (P0) to P21 (p < 0.01). The expression of EphA5 receptor was highest and declined most as much as 53% in the hippocampus with TH deficiency. At P7, the EphA5 receptor decreased most prominently during all the observed time point. CONCLUSION: The EphA5 receptor plays actively in the brain development in congenital hypothyroid rats. Our study highlights the high expression of EphA5 receptor protein in hippocampus and dramatic changes at P7 in condition of TH deficiency, which may provide important basis for further investigations in manipulating congenital hypothyroidism.

[Value of neutrophil CD64 in the diagnosis of community acquired pneumonia in children].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical value of the expression of neutrophil surface CD64 in the diagnosis of community acquired pneumonia in children. METHODS: Ninety-eight children with community acquired pneumonia were recruited into the study and were classified into three groups according to pathogene: bacterial pneumonia (n=48), viral pneumonia (n=29) and Mycoplasmal pneumonia (n=21). Twenty healthy children were enrolled as controls. The bacterial infection group was subdivided into mild infection (n=36) and severe infection groups (n=12). The levels of peripheral blood neutrophil CD64 were measured using flow cytometry. Dynamic changes of C-reactive protein were also detected for each patient. RESULTS: The CD64 index and CRP levels in the bacterial pneumonia group were significantly higher than in the other three groups (P<0.05). The CD64 index in the severe bacterial infection group was significantly higher than in the mild group (P<0.05). After antibiotic treatment, expression of CD64 in the severe bacterial infection group decreased significantly (P<0.05). The CD64 index was positively correlated with CRP value (r=0.545, P<0.01). ROC curve analysis showed that the threshold of CD64 and CRP was 2.8 and 8 mg/L respectively. Specificity of CD64 index (90%) was much higher than CRP (74%). CONCLUSIONS: The determination of peripheral blood neutrophil CD64 contributes to the early diagnosis of pulmonary bacterial infection and the evaluation of anti-infection effect.

[Protective effect of rosiglitazone against hyperoxia-induced lung injury in neonatal rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the protective effects of PPAR gamma ligand rosiglitazone (RGZ) against hyperoxia-induced lung injury in neonatal rats. METHODS: Ninety-six neonatal Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into three groups: control (room air exposure), hyperoxia (85%-90% oxygen exposure) and RGZ treatment [85%-90% oxygen exposure plus RGZ solution injection (2 mg/kg, once daily)ï¼½. Rats were sacrificed at 1, 3, 7 and 14 days after exposure. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to evaluate histological changes in lung tissues. The contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and leucocyte count in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured. RESULTS: No pathological changes were found in the control group at any time point after exposure. Alveolar epithelial cell swelling, interstitial edema and massive infiltration of inflammatory cells were found in the hyperoxia group 3 days after exposure. At 14 days after exposure, the number of pulmonary alveoli was reduced, alveolus interstitium had thickened and organizational structure had become disordered in the hyperoxia group. The RGZ treatment alleviated significantly the hyperoxia induced alterations in lung pathology. Radial alveoli count (RAC) decreased significantly in the hyperoxia group compared with the control group from 3 days through to 14 days after exposure (P<0.05). The RGZ treatment group showed significantly increased RAC compared with the hyperoxia group at 3, 7 and 14 days after exposure (P<0.05). MDA content and leucocyte count in BALF increased significantly in the hyperoxia group 3 days after exposure (P<0.05), reached a peak 7 days after exposure (P<0.01) and remained higher 14 days after exposure (P<0.05) compared with the control group. The RGZ treatment group significantly decreased MDA content and leucocyte count compared with the hyperoxia group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Hyperoxia may cause acute and chronic pulmonary injuries in neonatal rats, characterized by acute inflammatory reactions and decreased alveolus in lungs. RGZ may have protective effects against hyperoxia induced lung injury.

[Apoptosis induction and phosphorylated protein kinase C epsilon expression in 32D cells by sera from patients with aplastic anemia].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of phosphorylated protein kinase C epsilon (pPKC epsilon) on apoptosis of 32D cells induced by sera from patients with aplastic anemia (AA). METHODS: The expression of pPKC epsilon and apoptosis in 32D cells were measured by Western blotting and flow cytometry after incubation with sera from healthy individuals (controls, n = 8), patients with severe AA ( SAA, n = 8)and non severe AA (NSAA, n = 6). RESULTS: After incubation for 0, 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours in the presence of serum and for another 4 hours in medium deprived of serum, the levels of pPKC epsilon in cells in SAA and NSAA group increased gradually, peaked at 24 hours, and then declined (P < 0.05). Compared with that in control group (0.54 +/- 0.08), pPKC epsilon was overexpressed in both SAA group (0.90 +/- 0.10) and NSAA group (0.64 +/- 0.08) (P < 0.05) after 24 hours incubation with serum and subsequent 4 hours without serum. pPKC epsilon level was higher in SAA group than in NSAA group (P < 0.05). A greater proportion of 32D cells showed apoptosis after 24 hours incubation with sera from SAA patients [(4.05 +/- 1.05)%] and subsequent 4 hours incubation without serum than that in controls [(2.45 +/- 0.51)%, P < 0.05], which was correlated with the same serum-induced expression of pPKC epsilon (r = 0.869, P < 0.05). Although the mean level of pPKC epsilon expression was higher in NSAA group than in control group, no significant difference of apoptosis was found between the two groups [(2.45 +/- 0.51)% vs (3.24 +/- 0.56)%, P > 0.05]. CONCLUSION: Sera from both SAA and NSAA patients could upregulate the expression of pPKC epsilon in 32D cells. The SAA sera induce apoptosis in 32D cells significantly, but the latter do not.

[Measurement of B-lymphocyte stimulator mRNA expression in children with infectious mononucleosis by real-time fluorescence quantitative method].

OBJECTIVE: B cell multiplication plays a key role in infections mononucleosis. The present study was designed to detect the expression of B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) mRNA in peripheral blood using real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RFQ-PCR) in children with infectious mononucleosis in order to explore the role of BLys in this disorder. METHODS: Specific primers and TaqMan probes of BLyS were designed, and fluorescence of the PCR products were detected continuously during amplification. According to the standard curves created by plasmid DNA, the expression level of target genes in clinical samples were calculated using Stata Software version 8.0, and the results were presented as the ratio of copies of target gene mRNA to beta2 microglobulin (beta2M) mRNA copies. BLyS mRNA expression in peripheral blood was measured by RFQ-PCR in 18 children with infectious mononucleosis and the results were compared with those measured in 15 healthy controls. RESULTS: The range of target gene mRNA detected by REQ-PCR was from 109 ng/L to 101 ng/L. The coefficient of variation for intra-experimental and inter-experimental reproducibility ranged from 1.88% to 5.89% and 6.32% to 12.34%, respectively. BLyS mRNA expression in peripheral blood in children with infectious mononucleosis were significantly higher than that in controls (1.65+/-0.10 vs 0.56+/-0.08; P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: RFQ-PCR has a high sensitivity and reproducibility for the measurement of BLyS mRNA expression. BLyS may be involved in the development of infectious mononucleosis.

Bone marrow angiogenesis in aplastic anemia.

The objective of this study was to investigate the status of bone marrow angiogenesis in aplastic anemia (AA). Bone marrow specimens from 32 patients with AA and 16 normal controls were studied. The number of bone marrow microvessels was examined by means of immunohistochemical staining for CD34. Determination of microvessel density (MVD) and angiogenesis grading were done in a blinded manner. The results showed that the bone marrow MVD in patients with AA was significantly lower than that in healthy subjects (P < 0.01). MVD in patients with severe and moderate AA was lower than that in control group, respectively (P < 0. 01). There is significant MVD difference between severe AA and moderate AA (P < 0.05). Angiogenesis grade and MVD in AA were positively correlated (r = 0.64, P < 0.01). It is concluded that bone marrow angiogenesis in AA patients is lower than that in normal controls. Defect of angiogenesis in bone marrow may play a role resulting in or aggravating hematopoietic aplasia in patients with AA.

Molecular identification and expression analysis of natural resistance associated macrophage protein (Nramp) cDNA from Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus).

Natural resistance associated macrophage protein (Nramp) controls partially innate resistance to intracellular parasites. Its function is to enhance the ability of macrophages to kill pathogens. However, little is known about the structure and function of Nramp in lower vertebrates such as teleosts. We have recently isolated a cDNA encoding Nramp from Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). The full-length cDNA of the Nramp is 3066 bp in length, including 224 bp 5' terminal UTR, 1662 bp encoding region and 1180 bp 3' terminal UTR. The 1662-nt open reading frame was found to code for a protein with 554 amino acid residues. Comparison of amino acid sequence indicated that Japanese flounder Nramp consists of 12 transmembrane (TM) domains. A consensus transport motif (CTM) containing 20 residues was observed between transmembrane domains 8 and 9. The deduced amino acid sequence of Japanese flounder had 77.30%, 82.71%, 82.67%, 79.64%, 80.72%, 90.97%, 91.16%, 60.14%, 71.48%, 61.69%, 72.37% identity with that of rainbow trout Nramp alpha and beta, channel catfish Nramp, fathead minnow Nramp, common carp Nramp, striped sea bass Nramp, red sea bream Nramp, mouse Nramp 1 and 2, human Nramp 1 and 2, respectively. RT-PCR indicated that Nramp transcripts were highly abundant in spleen, head kidney, abundant in intestine, liver and gill, and less abundant in heart. The level of Nramp mRNA in embryos gradually increases during embryogenesis from 4 h (8 cell stage) to 80 h (hatched stage) after fertilization.

Molecular polymorphism and expression analysis of MHC class II B gene from red sea bream (Chrysophrys major).

MHC class II (major histocompatibility complex class II) plays an important role in the immune response of vertebrates. Its function is to present antigenic peptides to the T-cell receptor. In order to study the function and molecular polymorphism of class II B gene in fish, we have isolated cDNAs encoding class II B from spleen cDNA library of red sea bream (Chrysophrys major) by using EST sequencing, and examined genomic organization, molecular polymorphism and expression of red sea bream class II B gene. As in other vertebrates, five exons and four introns were identified in red sea bream class II B gene. Seven class II B alleles were identified from seven individuals of red sea bream. The deduced amino acid sequence of red sea bream MHC class II B 1(Chma-DAB*0101) had 87.1, 85.1, 87.1, 90.4, 87.1, 90.8% identity with those of red sea bream class II B 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7(Chma-DAB*0201-Chma-DAB*0701), respectively, and had 75.2, 74.5, 55.9, 55.1, 34.3 and 30.4% identity with those of striped sea bass, cichlid, rainbow trout, Atlantic salmon, mouse and human, respectively. Four different class II B alleles were observed in a single individual and two different 3' untranslated region (3' UTR) sequences from this individual may infer the existence of two loci at least. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR demonstrated that high expression was detected in liver, head kidney, kidney, intestine, gill, stomach, hear and spleen, low expression in muscle and blood. Challenge of red sea bream with the pathogenic bacteria, Vibrio anguillarum, resulted in a significant decrease in the expression of MHC class II B mRNA from 5 to 72 h after infection in liver, spleen, head kidney and intestine, followed by a recovery to normal level after 96 h.

Cloning, characterization, and expression analysis of hepcidin gene from red sea bream (Chrysophrys major).

A cDNA encoding hepcidin was isolated from a library of cDNA from spleen of red sea bream (Chrysophrys major) by expressed sequence tag analysis. The expression of the hepcidin mRNA in various tissues was examined. Challenge of red sea bream with Escherichia coli DH5alpha elevated hepcidin mRNA levels in spleen, gill, liver, and intestine.

Cloning and characterisation of natural resistance associated macrophage protein (Nramp) cDNA from red sea bream (Pagrus major).

Nramp (natural resistance associated macrophage protein) controls aspects of innate resistance to intracellular parasites. Its function is to enhance the ability of macrophages to kill pathogens. However, little is known about the structure and function of Nramp in lower vertebrates such as teleosts. We have recently isolated a cDNA encoding Nramp from spleen of red sea bream (Pagrus major). The full-length cDNA of the Nramp is 4709 bp in length, including 197 bp 5'-terminal untranslated region (UTR), 1662 bp encoding region and 2850 bp 3'-terminal UTR. The 1662 nt open reading frame was found to code for a protein with 554 amino acid residues. Comparison of the amino acid sequence indicated that red sea bream Nramp consists of 12 transmembrane region (TM) domains. A consensus transport motif (CTM) containing 20 residues was observed between transmembrane domains 8 and 9. The deduced amino acid sequence of red sea bream Nramp had 77.8%, 83.0%, 82.3%, 80.0%, 81.1%, 60.4%, 70.3%, 58.5% and 69.5% identity with that of rainbow trout Nramp alpha and beta, channel catfish Nramp, fathead minnow Nramp, common carp Nramp, mouse Nramp 1 and 2, and human Nramp1 and 2, respectively. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction indicated that levels of Nramp expression were similar among head kidney, spleen, intestine and liver in non-challenged red sea bream, and that challenge of red sea bream with the pathogenic bacterium, Vibrio anguillarum, significantly elevated Nramp mRNA levels in liver and spleen in a time-dependent fashion.