Single-nucleus transcriptome sequencing reveals hepatic cell atlas in pigs.

BACKGROUND: As the largest substantive organ of animals, the liver plays an essential role in the physiological processes of digestive metabolism and immune defense. However, the cellular composition of the pig liver remains poorly understood. This investigation used single-nucleus RNA sequencing technology to identify cell types from liver tissues of pigs, providing a theoretical basis for further investigating liver cell types in pigs. RESULTS: The analysis revealed 13 cells clusters which were further identified 7 cell types including endothelial cells, T cells, hepatocytes, Kupffer cells, stellate cells, B cells, and cholangiocytes. The dominant cell types were endothelial cells, T cells and hepatocytes in the liver tissue of Dahe pigs and Dahe black pigs, which accounts for about 85.76% and 82.74%, respectively. The number of endothelial cells was higher in the liver tissue of Dahe pigs compared to Dahe black pigs, while the opposite tendency was observed for T cells. Moreover, functional enrichment analysis demonstrated that the differentially expressed genes in pig hepatic endothelial cells were significantly enriched in the protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum, MAPK signaling pathway, and FoxO signaling pathway. Functional enrichment analysis demonstrated that the differentially expressed genes in pig hepatic T cells were significantly enriched in the thyroid hormone signaling pathway, B cell receptor signaling pathway, and focal adhesion. Functional enrichment analysis demonstrated that the differentially expressed genes in pig hepatic hepatocytes were significantly enriched in the metabolic pathways. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, this study provides a comprehensive cell atlas of porcine hepatic tissue. The number, gene expression level and functional characteristics of each cell type in pig liver tissue varied between breeds.

The antennal transcriptome analysis and characterizations of odorant-binding proteins in Megachile saussurei (Hymenoptera, Megachilidae).

BACKGROUND: Odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) are essential in insect's daily behaviors mediated by olfactory perception. Megachile saussurei Radoszkowski (Hymenoptera, Megachilidae) is a principal insect pollinating alfalfa (Medicago sativa) in Northwestern China. The olfactory function have been less conducted, which provides a lot of possibilities for our research. RESULTS: Our results showed that 20 OBPs were identified in total. Multiple sequence alignment analysis indicated MsauOBPs were highly conserved with a 6-cysteine motif pattern and all belonged to the classic subfamily, coding 113-196 amino acids and sharing 41.32%-99.12% amino acid identity with known OBPs of other bees. Phylogenetic analysis indicated there were certain homologies existed among MsauOBPs and most sequences were clustered with that of Osmia cornuta (Hymenoptera, Megachilidae). Expression analysis showed the identified OBPs were mostly enriched in antennae instead of other four body parts, especially the MsauOBP2, MsauOBP3, MsauOBP4, MsauOBP8, MsauOBP11 and MsauOBP17, in which the MsauOBP2, MsauOBP4 and MsauOBP8 presented obvious tissue-biased expression pattern. Molecular docking results indicated MsauOBP4 might be the most significant protein in recognizing alfalfa flower volatile 3-Octanone, while MsauOBP13 might be the most crucial protein identifying (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate. It was also found the lysine was a momentous hydrophilic amino acid in docking simulations. CONCLUSION: In this study, we identified and analyzed 20 OBPs of M. saussurei. The certain homology existed among these OBPs, while some degree of divergence could also be noticed, indicating the complex functions that different MsauOBPs performed. Besides, the M. saussurei and Osmia cornuta were very likely to share similar physiological functions as most of their OBPs were clustered together. MsauOBP4 might be the key protein in recognizing 3-Octanone, while MsauOBP13 might be the key protein in binding (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate. These two proteins might contribute to the alfalfa-locating during the pollination process. The relevant results may help determine the highly specific and effective attractants for M. saussurei in alfalfa pollination and reveal the molecular mechanism of odor-evoked pollinating behavior between these two species.

Evaluation of Renal Impairment in Patients with Diabetic Kidney Disease by Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the factors related to renal impairment in patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD) from the perspective of integrated Chinese and Western medicine. METHODS: Totally 492 patients with DKD in 8 Chinese hospitals from October 2017 to July 2019 were included. According to Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) staging guidelines, patients were divided into a chronic kidney disease (CKD) 1-3 group and a CKD 4-5 group. Clinical data were collected, and logistic regression was used to analyze the factors related to different CKD stages in DKD patients. RESULTS: Demographically, male was a factor related to increased CKD staging in patients with DKD (OR=3.100, P=0.002). In clinical characteristics, course of diabetes >60 months (OR=3.562, P=0.010), anemia (OR=4.176, P<0.001), hyperuricemia (OR=3.352, P<0.001), massive albuminuria (OR=4.058, P=0.002), atherosclerosis (OR=2.153, P=0.007) and blood deficiency syndrome (OR=1.945, P=0.020) were factors related to increased CKD staging in patients with DKD. CONCLUSIONS: Male, course of diabetes >60 months, anemia, hyperuricemia, massive proteinuria, atherosclerosis, and blood deficiency syndrome might indicate more severe degree of renal function damage in patients with DKD. (Registration No. NCT03865914).

ABCB9 polymorphism rs61955196 is associated with schizophrenia in a Chinese Han population.

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a complex disease which can be affected by both genetic and environmental factors. Prenatal famine exposure may cause changes in DNA methylation levels of genes. Meanwhile, maternal nutrition during pregnancy is a pivotal environmental factor in the development of SCZ. DNA methylation may be an intermediate factor mediating exposure to famine during pregnancy and SCZ, and DNA methylation quantitative trait loci might serve as a promising tool for linking SCZ and prenatal famine. AIM: To analyze the association between prenatal famine exposure and SCZ risk in Northeast Han Chinese through analysis of DNA methylation related loci. METHODS: A total of 954 Han Chinese from Northeast China were recruited, including 443 patients with SCZ and 511 healthy controls. The participants were further divided into famine (born in 1960-1962) and non-famine (born in 1963-1965) groups to investigate the effect of prenatal famine exposure. Four single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) selected according to the relevant literature were genotyped, namely, rs11917047 in PTPRG, rs2239681 in IGF2, rs3842756 in INSIGF, and rs61955196 in ABCB9. DNA were extracted from peripheral blood samples, and the genotypes of these SNP loci were detected using the improved Multiple Ligase Detection Reaction multiple SNP typing technique. The associations of the DNA methylation related SNPs with SCZ risk and prenatal famine, and their interactions were analyzed using logistic regression analysis and generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) software. RESULTS: Based on the sequencing data, genotype distributions and allele frequencies of the four selected SNPs were determined. All genotype frequencies of the four SNPs in the healthy control group were tested for deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P > 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that rs61955196 was significantly associated with SCZ risk in the log-additive model [odds ratio (OR): 1.22; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01-1.48; P = 0.040]. We also found that the rs61955196 allele was related with an enhanced risk of SCZ (G>C, OR: 1.22; 95%CI: 1.01-1.47; P = 0.042). However, no associations were observed between rs11917047, rs2239681, or rs3842756 and SCZ risk. Under the optimal genetic model, no significant association of famine with the four SNPs was seen. Though the gene-gene interactions between rs2239681 and rs61955196 were found in GMDR analysis, none of the gene-gene interactions and gene-famine interactions were associated with the risk of SCZ. CONCLUSION: Our study suggested that rs61955196 in ABCB9 is associated with SCZ susceptibility in Northeast Han Chinese, providing insight into genetic effects on SCZ.

Effects of short-term heat stress on the activity of three antioxidant enzymes of predatory mite Neoseiulus barkeri (acari, phytoseiidae).

To study the physiological mechanisms of Neoseiulus barkeri in response to short-term heat stress, the eggs and the emerged adults were exposed to 38, 40, and 42°C, 85% ± 5%RH,16 h:8 h (L:D) for 2, 4, and 6 h. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) as well as the protein content of N. barkeri were examined. All treatments caused significant different changes compared to the untreated control. The protein content increased as the temperature increased, while it showed different changing trends with the prolongation of exposure duration. The enzymatic activity of SOD, CAT, and POD was significantly affected by the temperature treatment. Both the maximum and minimum level of the three enzymes after a short-term heat stress differed significantly to the control group (p < 0.05). The highest values of three enzymatic activities were all obtained at 40°C-4 h. Person correlation analysis indicates that the high temperature was the primary factor affecting the enzymatic activity, while the exposure duration of the heat stress was the secondary factor. In general, the short-term heat stress increased the protein content of Neoseiulus barkeri and up-regulated the expression of SOD, CAT, and POD activities as well.

Visualization of Solvent-Induced Structure Evolution in Cyclodextrin Polyrotaxane Gels.

Cyclodextrin (CD)-based polyrotaxanes (PR) are widely used to construct high-mechanical-performance materials because of the high degree of conformational freedom. However, strong hydrogen bonds between CDs greatly limit the application of CD-PR in the preparation of ductile neutral hydrogels. In this work, spiropyrane (SP) into α-CD-based PR is introduced to "visualize" the segment motion of the network in neutral water. The aggregation-induced cohesion and critical factors for the force transmission are disclosed. This system offers a new approach for the fundamental research for the complicated topologically cross-linked structures, which is important for the design of CD-PR-based biocompatible soft materials.

Effects of B-azolemiteacrylic on life-history traits and demographic parameters of two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae).

The present study was conducted to evaluate sublethal effects of B-azolemiteacrylic on the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae). Female adults of T. urticae were exposed to LC10 and LC30 of the acaricide, and the effects on treated females and their offspring were evaluated. The results showed that the fecundity of F0 female adults treated with LC10 and LC30 of B-azolemiteacrylic was reduced by 30.9 and 39.2%, respectively. Longevity and oviposition period of the females were significantly reduced as well. The developmental duration of egg and deutonymph stage of the F1 generation were not significantly different from that of the control. The protonymph stage after LC30 treatment lasted significantly longer, whereas the larva, deutonymph and female stage were significantly shorter than the control. The oviposition period of the F1 generation was significantly shortened, the fecundity of each female decreased significantly, and the ratio of female-to-male was reduced too. Moreover, the average generation period of T. urticae after LC10 and LC30 treatments was shorter than that of the control, and the net production rate (R0), intrinsic rate of increase (rm) and finite rate of increase (λ) were all reduced by 33.3, 7.5 and 1.9% (LC10 treatment) and by 51.3, 14.8 and 3.6% (LC30 treatment), respectively. The population doubling time was prolonged by 7.5 and 14.8% after LC10 and LC30 treatments, respectively, compared with the control. These results indicate that B-azolemiteacrylic may effectively inhibit the development rate of the F0 and F1 populations of T. urticae, which will help design integrated strategies for the comprehensive control of T. urticae and rational use of pesticides in the field.

Phase separation of ternary epoxy/PEI blends with higher molecular weight of tertiary component polysiloxane.

A tertiary component with higher molecular weight of epoxy terminated polysiloxane (DMS-E11) was incorporated into the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA)/thermoplastic polyetherimide (PEI) blends. In this ternary DGEBA/PEI/DMS-E11 system, 25 or 30 wt% PEI and no more than 20 wt% DMS-E11 were used to ensure the formation of a continuous PEI-rich phase via reaction induced phase separation for optimum mechanical properties of blends. The results of morphology monitoring by OM and TRLS indicated that the addition of DMS-E11 could accelerate phase separation of DGEBA/PEI. Obvious differences were observed by SEM/EDS in the final morphologies of the blends. DMS-E11 localized in the PEI-rich phase continuously while it separated with DGEBA into spherical particles in the DGEBA-rich phase. DMA measurements found that the storage modulus and T g decreased with DMS-E11 content but were compensated partly by the presence of PEI. The results of tensile tests confirmed the synergistic strengthening for epoxy resin from PEI and DMS-E11.

Exceptional Antisintering Gold Nanocatalyst for Diesel Exhaust Oxidation.

The poor thermodynamic stability of gold nanoparticles (NPs) makes it very challenging to stabilize them in small sizes at elevated temperatures. Herein, we report the preparation of antisintering Au nanocatalyst by rationally selecting the sublattice matched MgGa2O4 spinel as support based on theoretical predictions. Au/MgGa2O4 retains Au NPs of 2-5 nm even after aging over the melting temperature of bulk gold (1064 °C)! By identifying the stable structure, the extraordinary stability is found to arise from the formation of a new phase structure, namely Au-MgGa2O4 metal-oxide "hetero-bicrystal" that remains as crystallite without melting even at 1100 °C. More than 80% of the loaded Au can be efficiently stabilized so that the catalysts can exhibit excellent low-temperature activities for diesel exhaust (CO and C3H6) oxidation after severely thermal and hydrothermal aging. These results may pave ways for constructing antisintering gold nanocatalysts for industrial applications.

[Role of inducible costimulatory molecule-mediated Th17 cell polarization in renal fibrosis in spontaneously hypertensive rats].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of inducible costimulatory molecule (ICOS) signaling pathway-mediated Th17 cells polarization in renal damage in essential hypertension. METHODS: Four-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were randomly divided into control (SHR-C) group and intervention (SHR-I) group and subjected to intraperitoneal injections of PBS and ICOS monoclonal antibody for 2 weeks, respectively. Blood pressure of the rats was monitored using noninvasive tail artery blood pressure measuring instrument. The percentage of Th17 cells in the splenocytes was analyzed using flow cytometry, and the expression levels of IL-17A mRNA in the rat's kidneys were detected using RT-PCR. The levels of IL-17A and TGF-ß1 in the plasma and kidneys were dynamically detected using ELISA and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Renal pathological changes in the rats were detected using Masson staining. RESULTS: At the age of 10 and 30 weeks, the rats in SHR-C group had a significantly higher blood pressure than those in SHR-I group (P<0.05 or 0.01). In rats in SHR-C group, Th17 cells percentage in the splenocytes and IL-17A mRNA level in the kidney was significantly higher than those in SHR-I group from the age of 6 weeks (P<0.05). The expressions of IL-17A and TGF-ß1 in the plasma and kidney were significantly higher in SHR-C group than that in SHR-I group at 6 weeks (P<0.05). Compared with those in SHR-C group, the rats in SHR-I group showed significant alleviation of renal fibrosis from the age of 30 weeks (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The ICOS signaling pathway-mediated Th17 cells polarization plays an important role in renal fibrosis in hypertensive rats.

Synthesis of ultrathin Ni nanosheets for semihydrogenation of phenylacetylene to styrene under mild conditions.

The synthesis of ultrathin metal nanosheets (NSs) attracts broad scientific and technological interest, and it still remains a challenge for non-noble metals like nickel due to their intrinsic cubic symmetry and high surface energy. Herein, we report a NiO intermediated solvothermal method towards the synthesis of ultrathin Ni NSs (thickness < 3 nm) using N,N-dimethylformamide as the solvent and n-butylamine as the shape controlling reagent. The growth of the ultrathin Ni NSs follows an intermediate mechanism which was proved by the results obtained by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray absorption spectra (XAS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Under solvothermal conditions, the nickel acetylacetonate precursor was first reduced to a NiO NS intermediate, then reduction occurred and NiO NSs were reduced to Ni NSs. The synthesized ultrathin Ni NSs predominately in a metallic state showed high selectivity (88.0-92.0%) towards styrene (ST) in the phenylacetylene (PA) semihydrogenation reaction under mild conditions (323 K, 1 atm of hydrogen) in a broad PA conversion range (2.0-98.0%). The low coverage of oxygen atoms on the Ni NS surface is proposed to account for the high ST selectivity, as indicated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

Chemical Insights into the Design and Development of Face-Centered Cubic Ruthenium Catalysts for Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis.

Ruthenium is a promising low-temperature catalyst for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS). However, its scarcity and modest specific activity limit its widespread industrialization. We demonstrate here a strategy for tuning the crystal phase of catalysts to expose denser and active sites for a higher mass-specific activity. Density functional theory calculations show that upon CO dissociation there are a number of open facets with modest barrier available on the face-centered cubic (fcc) Ru but only a few step edges with a lower barrier on conventional hexagonal-closest packed (hcp) Ru. Guided by theoretical calculations, water-dispersible fcc Ru catalysts containing abundant open facets were synthesized and showed an unprecedented mass-specific activity in the aqueous-phase FTS, 37.8 molCO·molRu-1·h-1 at 433 K. The mass-specific activity of the fcc Ru catalysts with an average size of 6.8 nm is about three times larger than the previous best hcp catalyst with a smaller size of 1.9 nm and a higher specific surface area. The origin of the higher mass-specific activity of the fcc Ru catalysts is identified experimentally from the 2 orders of magnitude higher density of the active sites, despite its slightly higher apparent barrier. Experimental results are in excellent agreement with prediction of theory. The great influence of the crystal phases on site distribution and their intrinsic activities revealed here provides a rationale design of catalysts for higher mass-specific activity without decrease of the particle size.

Stable platinum nanoparticles on specific MgAl2O4 spinel facets at high temperatures in oxidizing atmospheres.

The development of thermally stable, nanometer-sized precious metal-based catalysts remains a daunting challenge. Such materials, especially those based on the use of costly platinum metal, are essential and, to date, non-replaceable for a large number of industrially important catalytic processes. Here we report a well-defined cuboctahedral MgAl2O4 spinel support material that is capable of stabilizing platinum particles in the range of 1-3 nm on its relatively abundant {111} facets during extremely severe aging at 800 °C in air for 1 week. The aged catalysts retain platinum dispersions of 15.9% with catalytic activities for methanol oxidation being ~80% of that of fresh ones, whereas a conventional Pt/γ-Al2O3 catalyst is severely sintered and nearly inactive. We reveal the origin of the markedly superior ability of spinel {111} facets, resulting from strong interactions between spinel surface oxygens and epitaxial platinum {111} facets, inspiring the rational design of anti-sintering supported platinum group catalysts.

Expression levels of candidate genes for intramuscular fat deposition in two Banna mini-pig inbred lines divergently selected for fatness traits.

Intramuscular fat (IMF) content plays an important role in meat quality. Many genes involved in lipid and energy metabolism were identified as candidate genes for IMF deposition, since genetic polymorphisms within these genes were associated with IMF content. However, there is less information on the expression levels of these genes in the muscle tissue. This study aimed at investigating the expression levels of sterol regulating element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT-1), heart-fatty acids binding protein (H-FABP), leptin receptor (LEPR) and melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) genes and proteins in two divergent Banna mini-pig inbred lines (BMIL). A similar growth performance was found in both the fat and the lean BMIL. The fat meat and IMF content in the fat BMIL were significantly higher than in the lean BMIL, but the lean meat content was lower. The serum triacylglycerol (TAG) and free fatty acid (FFA) contents were significantly higher in the fat than in the lean BMIL. The expression levels of SREBP-1c, DGAT-1 and H-FABP genes and proteins in fat BMIL were increased compared to the lean BMIL. However, the expression levels of LEPR and MC4R genes and proteins were lower.

Pharmacoinvasive therapy for ST elevation myocardial infarction in China: a pilot study.

Most patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) cannot receive timely primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) because of lack of facilities or delays in patient transfer or catheterization team mobilization. In these patients, early routine post-thrombolysis PCI might be a reasonable, useful strategy. This study investigated feasibility and safety of early PCI after successful half-dose alteplase reperfusion in a Chinese population. Patients with STEMI received half-dose alteplase if expected time delay to PCI was ≥90 min. Patients who reached clinical criteria of successful thrombolysis reperfusion were recommended to undergo diagnostic angiography within 3-24 h after thrombolysis. Patients with residual stenosis ≥70% in the infarct-related artery underwent PCI, regardless of flow or patency status. Epicardial arterial flow was assessed using thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade and TIMI frame count (CTFC). Myocardial perfusion was assessed using myocardial blush grade (MBG) and TIMI myocardial perfusion frame count (TMPFC). Forty-nine patients were enrolled and underwent diagnostic angiography 3-11.3 h (median 6.5 h) after thrombolysis. Forty-six patients underwent PCI. No procedure-related complications occurred, except two patients who had no reflow after PCI. Twenty-two (47.8%) patients had TIMI grade 3 flow before PCI and 33 (71.7%) after PCI. CTFC was significantly improved after PCI (48.5 ± 32.1 vs. 37.9 ± 25.6, P = 0.01). MBG and TMPFC exhibited a similar improving trend after PCI, and the best myocardial perfusion tended to be achieved 3-12 h after lysis. During the 30-day follow-up, there were two deaths. The composite end point of death, cardiogenic shock, heart failure, reinfarction, and recurrent ischemia occurred in four patients. TIMI minor bleeding occurred in four patients. No TIMI major bleeding and stroke occurred. Early routine PCI after half-dose alteplase thrombolysis in Chinese population appears feasible. A larger clinical trial should be designed to further elucidate its efficacy and safety. Early PCI after thrombolysis in STEMI: The EARLY-PCI pilot feasibility study, ChiCTR-TNC-11001363.