Ionotropic Receptor IR75q.2 Mediates Avoidance Reaction to Nonanoic Acid in the Fall Armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae).

Ionotropic receptors (IRs) play an important role in olfaction, but little is known in nondrosophila insects. Here, we report in vitro and in vivo functional characterization of IR75q.2 in the invasive moth pest Spodoptera frugiperda. First, 13 IRs (including four coreceptor IRs) were found specifically or highly expressed in adult antennae. Second, these IRs were tested for responding profiles to 59 odorants using the Xenopus oocyte expression system, showing that only SfruIR75q.2 responded to 8-10C fatty acids and their corresponding aldehydes, with SfruIR8a as the only coreceptor. Third, the three acids (especially nonanoic acid) showed repellent effects on moth's behavior and oviposition, but the repellence significantly reduced to the insects with IR75q.2 knockout by CRISPR/Cas9. Taken together, our study reveals the function of SfruIR75q.2 in perception of acid and aldehyde odorants and provides the first in vivo evidence for olfactory function of an odor-specific IR in Lepidoptera.

Glucosinolates or erucic acid, which one contributes more to volatile flavor of fragrant rapeseed oil?

This study aims to investigate the effect of three rapeseed varieties with different erucic acid (EA) and glucosinolates (GLSs) content, and different degumming methods on the volatile flavor profiles of fragrant rapeseed oil (FRO). A total of 171 volatile compounds were identified by headspace solid-phase microextraction combine with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS), and 87 compounds were identified as key odorants owing to their relative odor activity values (ROAV) ≥ 1. Methyl furfuryl disulfide was identified in rapeseed oil for the first time, with highest ROAVs (up to 26805.46). The volatile flavor profile of rapeseed oil was affected by GLSs content to a certain extent rather than EA content. Rapeseed varieties with low-EA and high-GLSs are suitable to produce FRO. Silicon dioxide adsorbing was an effective alternative method to water degumming in FRO. This work provided a new idea for selection of raw materials and degumming methods in FRO production.

Remove Non-hydrated Phospholipids in Okra Seed Oil by Silicon Dioxide.

Water degumming, mainly removes hydrated phospholipids, is the most common method applying in traditional edible oil production. Silicon dioxide (SiO2) adsorption has been proved as a green and efficient method for removing phospholipids from rapeseed oil. But both methods exhibited poor effect on okra seed oil. Based on a hypothesis that SiO2 can adsorb non-hydrated phospholipids, removal effect of non-hydrated phospholipids in okra seed oil was studied. Single factor test and response surface design were used to optimize the SiO2 adsorbing process in water-degummed oil. Meanwhile, the qualities and flavor changes of okra seed oil before and after degumming were compared and analyzed. The results showed that the optimized degumming procedure was: 1.43% (w/w) of SiO2 added into the water-degummed oil, and the mixture was stirred at 33.52℃ for 30.47 min. The maximum non-hydrated phospholipids removal rate reached 43.3%. Comparing with crude okra seed oil, the optimal degumming method resulted in the increase of peroxide value and the decrease of induction period (IP) of the oil. However, it had the same safety as the water and the SiO2 degumming methods. It could retain 62% of total phenols, which was less than the water and the SiO2 degumming methods (both about 79%). The differences of E-nose sensors among oils were most likely caused by the pyrazines. It is necessary to study the composition and properties of phospholipids and develop new methods to further improve the phospholipids removal rate of okra seed oil.

The Prognostic Value of Sarcopenia and Myosteatosis in Biliary Tract Cancer After Palliative Treatment With Radiation-Emitting Metallic Stent.

Background: Radiation-emitting metallic stent (REMS) placement is increasingly used for malignant biliary obstruction (MBO) caused by unresectable biliary tract carcinoma (UBTC) in clinical practice. The study is aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of sarcopenia, myosteatosis, and their combination on overall survival (OS) in patients treated with REMS for UBTC. Methods: Patients diagnosed with UBTC who underwent REMS placement between January 2013 and May 2021 were included consecutively in this retrospective study. Sarcopenia and myosteatosis were defined based on skeletal muscle index (SMI) and skeletal muscle attenuation (SMA), respectively, which were measured by computer tomography (CT) images on the level of the third lumbar vertebral body before REMS placement. Patients were categorized into two groups by sex-specific cutoff value for sarcopenia and myosteatosis, and OS rates were compared between the groups. Univariate and multivariate cox regression analyses were used to assess factors associated with OS. Results: Data of 135 patients included were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. Median OS was 7.17 months in total cohort. Patients in the sarcopenia group had significant poorer OS than those in the non-sarcopenia group (median: 3.23 vs. 11.60 months, p < 0.001). OS was shorter in patients with myosteatosis than those without myosteatosis (median: 4.40 vs. 9.17 months, p < 0.001). Sarcopenia (odds ratio [OR] = 9.61; 95% CI = 5.41-17.09; p < 0.001) and myosteatosis (OR = 1.70; 95% CI = 1.13-2.57; p = 0.012) were significantly associated with OS. Combining sarcopenia and myosteatosis (CSM) showed a better predictive accuracy in OS than either one (area under curves: CSM vs. sarcopenia = 0.760 vs. 0.698, p = 0.049; CSM vs. myosteatosis = 0.760 vs. 0.671, p = 0.006). Conclusion: Sarcopenia and myosteatosis are negative predictors of survival in patients who underwent REMS placement for UBTC. CSM seemed to show a better prognostic value than either sarcopenia or myosteatosis alone. They can be used preoperatively for risk evaluation.

Molecular Cytogenetic Identification of the Wheat-Dasypyrum villosum T3DL·3V#3S Translocation Line with Resistance against Stripe Rust.

The annual species Dasypyrum villosum possesses several potentially valuable genes for the improvement of common wheat. Previously, we identified a new stripe rust-resistant line, the Chinese Spring (CS)-D. villosum 3V#3 (3D) substitution line (named CD-3), and mapped its potential rust resistance gene (designated as YrCD-3) on the 3V#3 chromosome originating from D. villosum. The objective of the present study was to further narrow down the YrCD-3 locus to a physical region and develop wheat-3V#3 introgression lines with strong stripe rust resistance. By treating CD-3 seeds with 60Co γ-irradiation, two CS-3V#3 translocation lines, T3V#3S.3DL and T3DS.3V#3L (termed 22-12 and 24-20, respectively), were identified from the M4 generation through a combination of non-denaturing fluorescence in situ hybridization (ND-FISH) and functional molecular markers. Stripe rust resistance tests showed that the line 22-12 exhibited strong stripe rust resistance similarly to CD-3, whereas 24-20 was susceptible to stripe rust similarly to CS, indicating that YrCD-3 is located on the short arm of 3V#3. The line 22-12 can potentially be used for further wheat improvement. Additionally, to trace 3V#3 in the wheat genetic background, we produced 30 3V#3-specific sequence tag (EST) markers, among which, 11 markers could identify 3V#3S. These markers could be valuable in fine-mapping YrCD-3.

Preferential Subgenome Elimination and Chromosomal Structural Changes Occurring in Newly Formed Tetraploid Wheat-Aegilops ventricosa Amphiploid (AABBDvDvNvNv).

Artificial allopolyploids derived from the genera Triticum and Aegilops have been used as genetic resources for wheat improvement and are a classic example of evolution via allopolyploidization. In this study, we investigated chromosomes and subgenome transmission behavior in the newly formed allopolyploid of wheat group via multicolor Fluorescence in situ hybridization (mc-FISH), using pSc119.2, pTa535, and (GAA)7 as probe combinations, to enabled us to precisely identify individual chromosomes in 381 S3 and S4 generations plants derived from reciprocal crosses between Ae. ventricosa (DvDvNvNv) and T. turgidum (AABB). A higher rate of aneuploidy, constituting 66.04-86.41% individuals, was observed in these two early generations. Of the four constituent subgenomes, Dv showed the highest frequency of elimination, followed by Nv and B, while A was the most stable. In addition, structural chromosomal changes occurred ubiquitously in the selfed progenies of allopolyploids. Among the constituent subgenomes, B showed the highest number of aberrations. In terms of chromosomal dynamics, there was no significant association between the chromosomal behavior model and the cytoplasm, with the exception of chromosomal loss in the Dv subgenome. The chromosome loss frequency in the Dv subgenome was significantly higher in the T. turgidum × Ae. ventricosa cross than in the Ae. ventricosa × T. turgidum cross. This result indicates that, although the D subgenome showed great instability, allopolyploids containing D subgenome could probably be maintained after a certain hybridization in which the D subgenome donor was used as the maternal parent at its onset stage. Our findings provide valuable information pertaining to the behavior patterns of subgenomes during allopolyploidization. Moreover, the allopolyploids developed here could be used as potential resources for the genetic improvement of wheat.

The Effects of Oral Rehmannia glutinosa Polysaccharide Administration on Immune Responses, Antioxidant Activity and Resistance Against Aeromonas hydrophila in the Common Carp, Cyprinus carpio L.

The effects of the oral administration of Rehmannia glutinosa polysaccharide (RGP-1) on the immunoregulatory properties, antioxidant activity, and resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila in Cyprinus carpio L. were investigated. The purified RGP-1 (250, 500, and 1,000 µg/mL) was co-cultured with the head kidney cells of the common carp. The proliferation and phagocytosis activities of the head kidney cells, and the concentration of nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines in the culture medium were determined. Next, 300 common carps (47.66 ± 0.43 g) were randomly divided into five groups; the two control groups (negative and positive) were administered sterile PBS and the three treatment groups were administered different concentrations of RGP-1 (250, 500, and 1,000 µg/mL) for seven days. Subsequently, the positive and treatment groups were infected with A. hydrophila, and the negative group was administered sterile PBS for 24 h. The concentration of NO, cytokines, lysozyme (LZM), and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) in serum, the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), the levels of malonaldehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH), and the total activities of superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the hepatopancreas of the common carp were tested. We observed that RGP-1 could significantly enhance the proliferation and phagocytosis activities (P < 0.05), besides inducing the production of NO, pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-12) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, TGF-ß) (P < 0.05) in vitro. The in vivo experimental results revealed that RGP-1 significantly enhanced NO production, protein levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-12), LZM and AKP activities, and the antioxidant content (T-AOC, SOD, CAT, GSH, GSH-Px, and MDA) compared to that observed in the negative group prior to A. hydrophila infection (P < 0.05). NO, pro-inflammatory cytokines, LZM and AKP activities were significantly lower than that in the positive group after infection (P < 0.05). However, whether infected or not, the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, TGF-ß) increased significantly in the RGP-1-treated groups (P < 0.05). Therefore, the results suggested that RGP-1 could enhance the non-specific immunity, antioxidant activity and anti-A. hydrophila activity of the common carp, and could be used as a safe and effective feed additive in aquaculture.

CTGF Attenuates Tendon-Derived Stem/Progenitor Cell Aging.

Aged tendon-derived stem/progenitor cells (TSPCs) lead to age-related tendon disorders and impair tendon healing. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of TSPC aging remain largely unknown. Here, we investigated the role of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in TSPC aging. CTGF protein and mRNA levels were markedly decreased in the aged TSPCs. Moreover, recombinant CTGF attenuates TSPC aging and restores the age-associated reduction of self-renewal and differentiation of TSPCs. In addition, cell cycle distribution of aged TSPCs was arrested in the G1/S phase while recombinant CTGF treatment promoted G1/S transition. Recombinant CTGF also rescued decreased levels of cyclin D1 and CDK4 and reduced p27kip1 expression in aged TSPCs. Our results demonstrated that CTGF plays a vital role in TSPC aging and might be a potential target for molecular therapy of age-related tendon disorders.

Molecular markers and cytogenetics to characterize a wheat-Dasypyrum villosum 3V (3D) substitution line conferring resistance to stripe rust.

Dasypyrum villosum has been used as a valuable gene resource for disease resistances, yield increase and quality improvement in wheat. A novel wheat-D. villosum alien introgression line CD-3 was generated through hybridization between the common wheat Chinese Spring (CS) and a CS- D. villosum 3V addition line having considerably high stripe rust resistance, which enable the characterization of a potential new stripe rust resistance gene (s) derived from D. villosum. The results of non-denaturing fluorescent in situ hybridization (ND-FISH) showed that CD-3 contained 42 chromosomes, including a 3V chromosome pair, and the absence of both of the 3D chromosomes. PCR-based Landmark Unique Gene (PLUG) molecular marker analysis supported results from the FISH analysis, revealing CD-3 was a wheat-D. villosum 3V (3D) disomic substitution line. Resistant test of stripe rust on 52 plants of F2 generation (CD-3/CS), CD-3, CS and D.villosum have been conducted at seedling stage. 7 plants of F2 generation possessing two 3V chromosomes exhibited high resistance to stripe rust as CD-3 and D.villosum, 10 plants carrying one 3V chromosome and 35 plants without 3V chromosome were susceptive to stripe rust as CS. The result implied the high stripe rust resistance of CD-3 should be controlled by recessive gene(s) originating from D.villosum. To rapidly detect chromosome 3V in the genetic background of wheat, we developed a novel Sequence Characterized Amplified Region (SCAR) marker specific for 3V chromosome based on the sequence of a grain size-related gene DvGS5 in D. villosum, an orthologue of TaGS5 from wheat. The SCAR marker was designated DvGS5-1443, which could successfully amplify a unique 3V-specific fragment in CD-3 and D. villosum, suggesting that this SCAR marker could facilitate targeting the chromosome 3V in the genetic background of wheat for wheat improvement.

Isolation of two new retrotransposon sequences and development of molecular and cytological markers for Dasypyrum villosum (L.).

Dasypyrum villosum is a valuable genetic resource for wheat improvement. With the aim to efficiently monitor the D. villosum chromatin introduced into common wheat, two novel retrotransposon sequences were isolated by RAPD, and were successfully converted to D. villosum-specific SCAR markers. In addition, we constructed a chromosomal karyotype of D. villosum. Our results revealed that different accessions of D. villosum showed slightly different signal patterns, indicating that distribution of repeats did not diverge significantly among D. villosum accessions. The two SCAR markers and FISH karyotype of D. villosum could be used for efficient and precise identification of D. villosum chromatin in wheat breeding.

Bacterial community succession and metabolite changes during doubanjiang-meju fermentation, a Chinese traditional fermented broad bean (Vicia faba L.) paste.

Doubanjiang-meju, a major ingredient of Chinese fermented food for several centuries, is produced using broad bean, wheat flour and salt. In this study, we investigated prokaryotic community succession and metabolite changes using high-throughput sequencing and 1H-NMR methods. After 35 days, bacterial communities, except Lactobacillus and Acinetobacter, were relatively stable until the end of fermentation, and consisted predominantly of the genera Tetragenococcus, Lactobacillus, Staphylococcus, Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas and Streptococcus. Glucose, arabinose, fructose and mannitol were identified as major sugars, lactate and acetate as major organic acids, and amino acids as the major nitrogen compounds present in doubanjiang-meju. Correlation analysis revealed important links between bacterial populations and metabolites, e.g., Pseudomonas was significantly correlated with 10 nitrogenous metabolites, while Streptococcus was significantly correlated with six carbonic metabolite and eight nitrogenous metabolites. These results not only revealed bacterial succession and dynamic changes in metabolites as well as pH and color, but also elucidated their relationships during the doubanjiang-meju fermentation.

[Expression of miR-140-5p and prediction of its target gene in human mesenchymal stem cells during adipogenic differentiation].

OBJECTIVE: To screen the differentially expressed miRNAs and their target genes in adipogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) to better understand the mechanism for regulating the balance between osteoblast and adipocyte differentiation. METHODS: Cultured hMSCs were induced for adipogenic differentiation, and at 0, 7, 14, and 21 days of induction, the cells were examined for miRNA and mRNA expression profiles using miRNA chip and transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) techniques. Correlation analysis was carried out for the miRNAs and mRNAs of potential interest. The databases including TargetScan, PicTar and miRanda were used to predict the target genes of the differentially expressed miRNA. RESULTS: The expression of miR-140-5p was down-regulated and leukemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIFR) expression increased progressively during adipogenic differentiation of hMSCs, showing a negative correlation between them. Target gene prediction using the 3 databases identified LIFR as the target gene of miR-140-5p. CONCLUSION: miRNA-140-5p may play an important role by regulating its target gene LIFR during adipogenic differentiation of hMSCs.

Expression of miR-140-5p and prediction of its target gene in human mesenchymal stem cells during adipogenic differentiation / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To screen the differentially expressed miRNAs and their target genes in adipogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) to better understand the mechanism for regulating the balance between osteoblast and adipocyte differentiation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cultured hMSCs were induced for adipogenic differentiation, and at 0, 7, 14, and 21 days of induction, the cells were examined for miRNA and mRNA expression profiles using miRNA chip and transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) techniques. Correlation analysis was carried out for the miRNAs and mRNAs of potential interest. The databases including TargetScan, PicTar and miRanda were used to predict the target genes of the differentially expressed miRNA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression of miR-140-5p was down-regulated and leukemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIFR) expression increased progressively during adipogenic differentiation of hMSCs, showing a negative correlation between them. Target gene prediction using the 3 databases identified LIFR as the target gene of miR-140-5p.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>miRNA-140-5p may play an important role by regulating its target gene LIFR during adipogenic differentiation of hMSCs.</p>

Identification of Novel Chromosomal Aberrations Induced by (60)Co-γ-Irradiation in Wheat-Dasypyrum villosum Lines.

Mutations induced by radiation are widely used for developing new varieties of plants. To better understand the frequency and pattern of irradiation-induced chromosomal rearrangements, we irradiated the dry seeds of Chinese Spring (CS)-Dasypyrum villosum nullisomic-tetrasomic (6A/6D) addition (6V) line (2n = 44), WD14, with (60)Co-γ-rays at dosages of 100, 200, and 300 Gy. The M0 and M1 generations were analyzed using Feulgen staining and non-denaturing fluorescence in situ hybridization (ND-FISH) by using oligonucleotide probes. Abnormal mitotic behavior and chromosomes with structural changes were observed in the M0 plants. In all, 39 M1 plants had structurally changed chromosomes, with the B genome showing the highest frequency of aberrations and tendency to recombine with chromosomes of the D genome. In addition, 19 M1 plants showed a variation in chromosome number. The frequency of chromosome loss was considerably higher for 6D than for the alien chromosome 6V, indicating that 6D is less stable after irradiation. Our findings suggested that the newly obtained γ-induced genetic materials might be beneficial for future wheat breeding programs and functional gene analyses.

Pancreatic Insulinoma Misdiagnosed as Epilepsy for Eight Years: A Case Report and Literature Review.

A 58-year-old Chinese man presented with intermittent seizure episodes after being misdiagnosed with epilepsy for eight years. MRI revealed an abnormally strong signal in the distal pancreas. The patient was subsequently diagnosed with pancreatic insulinoma based on the histological findings, and his symptoms improved following surgical removal of the tumor. The appearance of unusual manifestations of insulinoma makes it difficult to diagnose the condition. This disorder should be included in the differential diagnosis of epilepsy and mental illness.

100 Gy 60 Co γ-ray induced novel mutations in tetraploid wheat.

10 accessions of tetraploid wheat were radiated with 100 Gy (60)Co γ -ray. The germination energy, germination rate, special characters (secondary tillering, stalk with wax powder, and dwarf), meiotic process, and high-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GSs) were observed. Different species has different radiation sensibility. With 1 seed germinated (5%), T. dicoccum (PI434999) is the most sensitive to this dose of radiation. With a seed germination rate of 35% and 40%, this dose also affected T. polonicum (As304) and T. carthlicum (As293). Two mutant dwarf plants, T. turgidum (As2255) 253-10 and T. polonicum (As302) 224-14, were detected. Abnormal chromosome pairings were observed in pollen mother cells of both T. dicoccoides (As835) 237-9 and T. dicoccoides (As838) 239-8 with HMW-GS 1Ax silent in seeds from them. Compared with the unirradiated seed of T. polonicum (As304) CK, a novel HMW-GS was detected in seed of T. polonicum (As304) 230-7 and its electrophoretic mobility was between 1By8 and 1Dy12 which were the HMW-GSs of Chinese Spring. These mutant materials would be resources for wheat breeding.

A novel role of globular adiponectin in treatment with HFD/STZ induced T2DM combined with NAFLD rats.

AIMS: To evaluate the effects of globular adiponectin (gAd) on treatment of type 2 diabetic rats combined with NAFLD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one male wistar rats were fed with normal diet (7 rats) or high fat diet (HFD) (14 rats) for 4 weeks, and then HFD-fed rats were injected with streptozotocin (STZ) to induce type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Half of T2DM rats were randomly injected with gAd intraperitoneally for 7 days. The expressions of adiponectin receptors (adipoR1/R2) in liver and skeletal muscle tissues were detected through western blotting or RT-qPCR, respectively. RESULTS: Globular adiponectin alleviated the hepatic steatosis and increased insulin secretion. In liver, both the protein and mRNA expressions of adipoR2 in T2DM group decreased (P < 0.05, resp.) in contrast to NC group and increased (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, resp.) after gAd treatment. But the protein and mRNA expressions of adipoR1 increased (P < 0.05, resp.) in T2DM group and no change was found in the gAd-treated group. In skeletal muscle, the protein and mRNA expressions of adipoR1 and adipoR2 were upregulated in T2DM group and were downregulated after gAd treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Globular adiponectin could ameliorate the hepatic steatosis and vary the expressions of adiponectin receptors in liver and skeletal muscle by stimulating insulin secretion.