Study on the signaling pathways involved in the anti-hyperglycemic effect of raspberry ketone on zebrafish using integrative transcriptome and metabolome analyses.

Hyperglycemia leads to increased oxidative stress in mitochondria, an abnormal activation of intracellular inflammatory signals, and mediate multiple dysfunctions. Raspberry ketone (RK) is an aromatic phenolic compound found in many plants and could contribute to weight loss, restore impaired glucose tolerance, and has antioxidant properties. In our investigation, RK could greatly prevent islet, brain and other tissue damage caused by hyperglycemia in a zebrafish model with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced hyperglycemia. Body weight, insulin level, and food intake indexes were also restored by RK. Using transcriptome profiling, we found that RK administration could significantly attenuate STZ-induced insulin synthesis and pancreatic secretion as well as alter protein and carbohydrate metabolism. Metabolomics analysis results showed that RK could also prevent STZ-induced metabolic disorders, such as adenosine and sphingolipid metabolism. Integrative analysis of metabolome and transcriptome data and qRT-PCR validation of key metabolic regulatory genes (glut1, glut2, ctrb1, ccka, gck, pklr) confirmed that the purine pathway was the most enriched metabolic pathway, in which both metabolite accumulation and gene expression levels showed consistent change patterns upon RK treatment. Our study provides a new perspective for understanding the hypoglycemic mechanism of RK and may be helpful for investigating the modes of action of hypoglycemic drugs using the zebrafish hyperglycemia model.

Reducing residual chlortetracycline in wastewater using a whole-cell biocatalyst.

Antibiotic contamination has become an increasingly important environmental problem as a potentially hazardous emergent and recalcitrant pollutant that poses threats to human health. In this study, manganese peroxidase displayed on the outer membrane of Escherichia coli as a whole-cell biocatalyst (E. coli MnP) was expected to degrade antibiotics. The manganese peroxidase activity of the whole-cell biocatalyst was 13.88 ± 0.25 U/L. The typical tetracycline antibiotic chlortetracycline was used to analyze the degradation process. Chlortetracycline at 50 mg/L was effectively transformed via the whole-cell biocatalyst within 18 h. After six repeated batch reactions, the whole-cell biocatalyst retained 87.2 % of the initial activity and retained over 87.46 % of the initial enzyme activity after storage at 25°C for 40 days. Chlortetracycline could be effectively removed from pharmaceutical and livestock wastewater by the whole-cell biocatalyst. Thus, efficient whole-cell biocatalysts are effective alternatives for degrading recalcitrant antibiotics and have potential applications in treating environmental antibiotic contamination.

Lrp13a and Lrp13b serve as vitellogenin receptors in the ovary of zebrafish†.

In oviparous animals, egg yolk is largely derived from vitellogenin, which is taken up from the maternal circulation by the growing oocytes via the vitellogenin receptor. Recently, a novel member of the lipoprotein receptor superfamily termed low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 13 was identified and proposed as a candidate of vitellogenin receptor in oviparous animals. However, the roles of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 13 in vitellogenesis are still poorly defined. Here, we investigated the expression, vitellogenin-binding properties, and function of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 13 in zebrafish. Two different lrp13 genes termed lrp13a and lrp13b were found in zebrafish. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and quantitative polymerase chain reaction revealed both lrp13s to be predominantly expressed in zebrafish ovary, and in situ hybridization detected both lrp13s transcripts in the ooplasm of early stage oocytes. Two yeast hybrid studies showed that among eight vitellogenins of zebrafish, Vtg1, 2, and 3 bind to Lrp13a, while Vtg1, 2, and 5 bind to Lrp13b. We created zebrafish lrp13a and lrp13b mutant lines using CRISPR/Cas9. Knockout of lrp13a leads to a male-biased sex ratio and decreased diameter of embryo yolk, while knockout of lrp13b and double knockout of lrp13a and lrp13b leads to the delay of vitellogenesis, followed by follicular atresia. These phenotypes of mutants can be explained by the disruption of vitellogenesis in the absence of Lrp13s. Taken together, our results indicate that both Lrp13a and Lrp13b can serve as vitellogenin receptors in zebrafish among other vitellogenin receptors that are not yet described.

Effects of Funneliformis mosseae on Growth and Photosynthetic Characteristics of Camellia oleifera under Different Nitrogen Forms.

Nitrogen fertilizer increases agricultural yields but increases economic costs and causes a series of environmental problems. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have the potential to be used as biological fertilizer. However, the influence of nitrogen form on plant growth responsiveness to AMF inoculation is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of Funneliformis mosseae on growth, root morphology and photosynthetic characteristics of Camellia oleifera under different nitrogen forms during three harvest periods and clarified the most suitable nitrogen form for C. oleifera-AMF symbiosis. The results showed that urea, ammonium and nitrate nitrogen promoted plant growth and photosynthetic capacity, among which urea treatment had the highest value in all three harvests. No significant difference in plant growth parameters was observed between ammonium and nitrate nitrogen treatments in the first two harvests, while the plant height was significantly lower under ammonium nitrogen treatment than nitrate nitrogen treatment in the third harvest. Inoculation with F. mosseae in the presence of indigenous AMF could promote AMF colonization and plant growth at all three harvest times. Inoculation with F. mosseae significantly increased gas exchange parameters, the maximum photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) and the actual photochemical efficiency (ΦPSII). Inoculation with AMF increased the photochemical quenching coefficient (qP) better under urea treatment and improved the non-photochemical quenching coefficient (qN) better under ammonium nitrogen treatment. Principal component analysis showed that urea is the most beneficial nitrogen fertilizer for C. oleifera-AMF symbiosis. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for the combination use of AMF and nitrogen fertilizer in agroforestry.

Pyroptosis: A pro-inflammatory type of cell death in cardiovascular disease.

Pyroptosis is a pro-inflammatory type of regulated cell death (RCD) characterized by gasdermin D (GSDMD)-mediated membrane pore formation, cell swelling and rapid lysis, followed by the massive release of pro-inflammatory mediators such as interleukin-1ß and interleukin-18. There are two main pathways of pyroptosis: the caspase-1-mediated canonical pathway and the caspase-4/5/11-mediated noncanonical pathway. However, the caspase-3-gasdermin E (GSDME) pathway and caspase-8-GSDMD pathway also induce pyroptosis. Pyroptosis can not only cause local inflammation but also lead to amplification of the inflammatory response. Recent studies have suggested that pyroptosis is closely related with cardiovascular disease (CVD); for example, in atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, ischemia-reperfusion injury, heart failure, coronary calcification and aortic aneurysm, study results have promoted the development of inhibitors targeting the components related to pyroptosis, and some agents have been clinically proven to have cardiovascular benefits. In this review, we summarize emerging evidence to discuss the progressive understanding of pyroptosis and the pathways, effect and effectors of pyroptosis, as well as the role of pyroptosis in CVD. Additionally, we summarize pyroptosis-related pathway inhibitors and classic cardiovascular drugs targeting pyroptosis.

High Risk of Influenza Virus Infection Among Swine Workers: Examining a Dynamic Cohort in China.

BACKGROUND: China is thought to be a hotspot for zoonotic influenza virus emergence, yet there have been few prospective studies examining the occupational risks of such infections. METHODS: We present the first 2 years of data collected from a 5-year, prospective, cohort study of swine-exposed and -unexposed participants at 6 swine farms in China. We conducted serological and virological surveillance to examine evidence for swine influenza A virus infection in humans. RESULTS: Of the 658 participants (521 swine-exposed and 137 swine-unexposed), 207 (31.5%) seroconverted against at least 1 swine influenza virus subtype (swine H1N1 or H3N2). Swine-exposed participants' microneutralization titers, especially those enrolled at confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs), were higher against the swine H1N1 virus than were other participants at 12 and 24 months. Despite elevated titers, among the 187 study subjects for whom we had complete follow-up, participants working at swine CAFOs had significantly greater odds of seroconverting against both the swine H1N1 (odds ratio [OR] 19.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.55-358.65) and swine H3N2 (OR 2.97, 95% CI 1.16-8.01) viruses, compared to unexposed and non-CAFO swine workers with less intense swine exposure. CONCLUSIONS: While some of the observed increased risk against swine viruses may have been explained by exposure to human influenza strains, study data suggest that even with elevated preexisting antibodies, swine-exposed workers were at high risk of infection with enzootic swine influenza A viruses.

Prospective surveillance for influenza. virus in Chinese swine farms.

Pork production in China is rapidly increasing and swine production operations are expanding in size and number. However, the biosecurity measures necessary to prevent swine disease transmission, particularly influenza. viruses (IAV) that can be zoonotic, are often inadequate. Despite this risk, few studies have attempted to comprehensively study IAV ecology in swine production settings. Here, we present environmental and animal sampling data collected in the first year of an ongoing five-year prospective epidemiological study to assess IAV ecology as it relates to swine workers, their pigs, and the farm environment. From March 2015 to February 2016, we collected 396 each of environmental swab, water, bioaerosol, and fecal/slurry samples, as well as 3300 pig oral secretion samples from six farms in China. The specimens were tested with molecular assays for IAV. Of these, 46 (11.6%) environmental swab, 235 (7.1%) pig oral secretion, 23 (5.8%) water, 20 (5.1%) bioaerosol, and 19 (4.8%) fecal/slurry specimens were positive for influenza. by qRT-PCR. Risk factors for IAV detection among collected samples were identified using bivariate logistic regression. Overall, these first year data suggest that IAV is quite ubiquitous in the swine production environment and demonstrate an association between the different types of environmental sampling used. Given the mounting evidence that some of these viruses freely move between pigs and swine workers, and that mixing of these viruses can yield progeny viruses with pandemic potential, it seems imperative that routine surveillance for novel IAVs be conducted in commercial swine farms.

Synthesis of Alkyl Indium Reagents by Using Unactivated Alkyl Chlorides and Their Applications in Palladium-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Reactions with Aryl Halides.

An efficient method for the preparation of alkyl indium reagents by using unactivated and cheap alkyl chlorides as substrates in the presence of indium and LiI was developed. The thus-formed alkyl indium species effectively underwent palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions with aryl halides with wide functional group tolerance.

Evidence for Cross-species Influenza A Virus Transmission Within Swine Farms, China: A One Health, Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Our understanding of influenza A virus transmission between humans and pigs is limited. Methods: Beginning in 2015, we used a One Health approach and serial sampling to prospectively study 299 swine workers and 100 controls, their 9000 pigs, and 6 pig farm environments in China for influenza A viruses (IAVs) using molecular, culture, and immunological techniques. Study participants were closely monitored for influenza-like illness (ILI) events. Results: Upon enrollment, swine workers had higher serum neutralizing antibody titers against swine H1N1 and higher nasal wash total immunoglobulin A (IgA) and specific IgA titers against swine H1N1 and H3N2 viruses. Over a period of 12 months, IAVs were detected by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction in 46 of 396 (11.6%) environmental swabs, 235 of 3300 (7.1%) pig oral secretion, 23 of 396 (5.8%) water, 20 of 396 (5.1%) aerosol, and 19 of 396 (4.8%) fecal-slurry specimens. Five of 32 (15.6%) participants with ILI events had nasopharyngeal swab specimens that were positive for IAV, and 17 (53.1%) demonstrated 4-fold rises in neutralization titers against a swine virus. Reassorted Eurasian avian-lineage H1N1, A(H1N1)pdm09-like, and swine-lineage H3N2 viruses were identified in pig farms. The A(H1N1)pdm09-like H1N1 viruses identified in swine were nearly genetically identical to the human H1N1 viruses isolated from the participants with ILI. Conclusions: There was considerable evidence of A(H1N1)pdm09-like, swine-lineage H1N1, and swine-lineage H3N2 viruses circulating, likely reassorting, and likely crossing species within the pig farms. These data suggest that stronger surveillance for novel influenza virus emergence within swine farms is imperative.

Consistently low prevalence of syphilis among female sex workers in Jinan, China: findings from two consecutive respondent driven sampling surveys.

BACKGROUND: Routine surveillance using convenient sampling found low prevalence of HIV and syphilis among female sex workers in China. Two consecutive surveys using respondent driven sampling were conducted in 2008 and 2009 to examine the prevalence of HIV and syphilis among female sex workers in Jinan, China. METHODS: A face-to-face interview was conducted to collect demographic, behavioral and service utilization information using a structured questionnaire. Blood samples were drawn for serological tests of HIV-1 antibody and syphilis antibody. Respondent Driven Sampling Analysis Tool was used to generate population level estimates. RESULTS: In 2008 and in 2009, 363 and 432 subjects were recruited and surveyed respectively. Prevalence of syphilis was 2.8% in 2008 and 2.2% in 2009, while no HIV case was found in both years. Results are comparable to those from routine sentinel surveillance system in the city. Only 60.8% subjects in 2008 and 48.3% in 2009 reported a consistent condom use with clients during the past month. Over 50% subjects had not been covered by any HIV-related services in the past year, with only 15.6% subjects in 2008 and 13.1% in 2009 ever tested for HIV. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the low prevalence of syphilis and HIV, risk behaviors are common. Targeted interventions to promote the safe sex and utilization of existing intervention services are still needed to keep the epidemic from growing.

Predictors of consistent condom use based on the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) model among female sex workers in Jinan, China.

BACKGROUND: Female commercial sex workers (FSWs) are at high risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission in China. This study was designed to examine the predictors of condom use with clients during vaginal intercourse among FSWs based on the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) model and to describe the relationships between IMB model constructs. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Jinan of Shandong Province, from May to October, 2009. Participants (N = 432) were recruited using Respondent-Driven Sampling (RDS). A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Structural equation modeling was used to assess the IMB model. RESULTS: A total of 427 (98.8%) participants completed their questionnaires. Condom use was significantly predicted by social referents support, experiences with and attitudes toward condoms, self-efficacy, and health behaviors and condom use skills. Significant indirect predictors of condom use mediated through behavioral skills included HIV knowledge, social referents support, and substance use. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the IMB model could be used to predict condom use among Chinese FSWs. Further research is warranted to develop preventive interventions on the basis of the IMB model to promote condom use among FSWs in China.