Circulating JKAP levels may correlate with postpartum anxiety and depression through its interaction with T helper 17 cells.

Jun N-terminal kinase pathway-associated phosphatase (JKAP) regulates CD4+ T-cell differentiation and immunity, which are linked to mental disorders. This study aimed to explore the relationships between JKAP and T helper 17 (Th17)/regulatory T (Treg) ratio, as well as their associations with anxiety and depression in postpartum women. Serum JKAP were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and blood Th17 and Treg cells were measured by flow cytometry in 250 postpartum women. Anxiety and depression were evaluated by the 6-item State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI6) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Anxiety and depression rates were 22.0 and 28.4%, respectively, among postpartum women. Notably, JKAP was negatively associated with the STAI6 (P=0.002) and EPDS scores (P<0.001) in postpartum women and was lower in postpartum women with anxiety (P=0.023) or depression (P=0.002) than in those without. Moreover, JKAP was inversely related to Th17 cells and Th17/Treg ratio but positively correlated with Treg cells in postpartum women (all P<0.001). Interestingly, Th17 cells and Th17/Treg ratio were both positively associated with STAI6 and EPDS scores in postpartum women (all P<0.001). Furthermore, Th17 cells and Th17/Treg ratio were lower in postpartum women with anxiety or depression than in those without (all P<0.01). Nevertheless, Treg cells were not linked to anxiety or depression in postpartum women. JKAP was negatively associated with Th17 cells and Th17/Treg ratio; moreover, they all related to anxiety and depression in postpartum women, indicating that JKAP may be involved in postpartum anxiety and depression via interactions with Th17 cells.

Circulating JKAP levels may correlate with postpartum anxiety and depression through its interaction with T helper 17 cells

Jun N-terminal kinase pathway-associated phosphatase (JKAP) regulates CD4+ T-cell differentiation and immunity, which are linked to mental disorders. This study aimed to explore the relationships between JKAP and T helper 17 (Th17)/regulatory T (Treg) ratio, as well as their associations with anxiety and depression in postpartum women. Serum JKAP were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and blood Th17 and Treg cells were measured by flow cytometry in 250 postpartum women. Anxiety and depression were evaluated by the 6-item State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI6) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Anxiety and depression rates were 22.0 and 28.4%, respectively, among postpartum women. Notably, JKAP was negatively associated with the STAI6 (P=0.002) and EPDS scores (P<0.001) in postpartum women and was lower in postpartum women with anxiety (P=0.023) or depression (P=0.002) than in those without. Moreover, JKAP was inversely related to Th17 cells and Th17/Treg ratio but positively correlated with Treg cells in postpartum women (all P<0.001). Interestingly, Th17 cells and Th17/Treg ratio were both positively associated with STAI6 and EPDS scores in postpartum women (all P<0.001). Furthermore, Th17 cells and Th17/Treg ratio were lower in postpartum women with anxiety or depression than in those without (all P<0.01). Nevertheless, Treg cells were not linked to anxiety or depression in postpartum women. JKAP was negatively associated with Th17 cells and Th17/Treg ratio; moreover, they all related to anxiety and depression in postpartum women, indicating that JKAP may be involved in postpartum anxiety and depression via interactions with Th17 cells.

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum, pneumothorax and subcutaneous emphysema in COVID-19: case report and literature review.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread worldwide. Numerous studies have shown its typical and atypical CT findings. We report one COVID-19 patient who presented with a transient pneumothorax, spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SP), as well as subcutaneous emphysema during hospitalization. Chest CT andclinical findings were discussed, and a literature review is presented. The probable cause of SP in COVID-19 was alveolar damage. Once pneumothorax and SP were present, the patient should be carefully monitored to prevent respiratory deterioration, especially when lung lesions are severe.

Extraction optimization of total triterpenoids from Jatropha curcas leaves using response surface methodology and evaluations of their antimicrobial and antioxidant capacities

Background Triterpenoids are multifunctional secondary metabolites in plants. But little information is available concerning the actual yield, optimal extraction method and pharmacologic activity with regard to triterpenoids from Jatropha curcas leaves (TJL). Hence, response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the extraction parameters. The effects of three independent variables, namely liquid-to-solid ratio, ethanol concentration and extraction time on TJL yield were investigated. TJL obtained by silica column chromatography was tested against bacterial and fungal species relevant to oral disease and wounds through broth microdilution. Antioxidant activity was assessed using the 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assays. Results A second order polynomial model produced a satisfactory fitting of the experimental data with regard to TJL yield (R2 = 0.983, P < 0.01). The optimum extraction conditions were 16 mL/g (liquid-to-solid ratio), 70% (ethanol concentration) and 50 min (extraction time). Predicted values agreed well with the experimental values. TJL had extraordinarily strong antibacterial and antifungal activities (24.42 µg/mL < MIC < 195.31 µg/mL) against all the tested human pathogens except Bacteroides vulgatus (390.62 µg/mL) and Bacteroides stercoris (781.25 µg/mL). The DPPH and ABTS assays revealed a moderate antioxidant activity of TJL compared with ascorbic acid. Conclusion These results provided reliable scientific basis for further investigation of triterpenoids from J. curcas.

A novel chloroplastic isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase gene from Jatropha curcas: Cloning, characterization and subcellular localization

Background Jatropha curcas is a rich reservoir of pharmaceutically active terpenoids. More than 25 terpenoids have been isolated from this plant, and their activities are anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-cancer, insecticidal, rodenticidal, cytotoxic and molluscicidal. But not much is known about the pathway involved in the biosynthesis of terpenoids. The present investigation describes the cloning, characterization and subcellular localization of isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase (IPI) gene from J. curcas. IPI is one of the rate limiting enzymes in the biosynthesis of terpenoids, catalyzing the crucial interconversion of isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP). Results A full-length JcIPI cDNA consisting of 1355 bp was cloned. It encoded a protein of 305 amino acids. Analysis of deduced amino acid sequence predicted the presence of conserved active sites, metal binding sites and the NUDIX motif, which were consistent with other IPIs. Phylogenetic analysis indicated a significant evolutionary relatedness with Ricinus communis. Southern blot analysis showed the presence of an IPI multigene family in J. curcas. Comparative expression analysis of tissue specific JcIPI demonstrated the highest transcript level in flowers. Abiotic factors could induce the expression of JcIPI. Subcellular distribution showed that JcIPI was localized in chloroplasts. Conclusion This is the first report of cloning and characterization of IPI from J. curcas. Our study will be of significant interest to understanding the regulatory role of IPI in the biosynthesis of terpenoids, although its function still needs further confirmation.

MHC class I loci of the Bar-Headed goose (Anser indicus).

MHC class I proteins mediate functions in anti-pathogen defense. MHC diversity has already been investigated by many studies in model avian species, but here we chose the bar-headed goose, a worldwide migrant bird, as a non-model avian species. Sequences from exons encoding the peptide-binding region (PBR) of MHC class I molecules were isolated from liver genomic DNA, to investigate variation in these genes. These are the first MHC class I partial sequences of the bar-headed goose to be reported. A preliminary analysis suggests the presence of at least four MHC class I genes, which share great similarity with those of the goose and duck. A phylogenetic analysis of bar-headed goose, goose and duck MHC class I sequences using the NJ method supports the idea that they all cluster within the anseriforms clade.

Molecular cloning and expression profiling of a chalcone synthase gene from hairy root cultures of Scutellaria viscidula Bunge

A cDNA encoding chalcone synthase (CHS), the key enzyme in flavonoid biosynthesis, was isolated from hairy root cultures of Scutellaria viscidula Bunge by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The full-length cDNA of S. viscidula CHS, designated as Svchs (GenBank accession no. EU386767), was 1649 bp with a 1170 bp open reading frame (ORF) that corresponded to a deduced protein of 390 amino acid residues, a calculated molecular mass of 42.56 kDa and a theoretical isoelectric point (pI) of 5.79. Multiple sequence alignments showed that SvCHS shared high homology with CHS from other plants. Functional analysis in silico indicated that SvCHS was a hydrophilic protein most likely associated with intermediate metabolism. The active sites of the malonyl-CoA binding motif, coumaroyl pocket and cyclization pocket in CHS of Medicago sativa were also found in SvCHS. Molecular modeling indicated that the secondary structure of SvCHS contained mainly α-helixes and random coils. Phylogenetic analysis showed that SvCHS was most closely related to CHS from Scutellaria baicalensis. In agreement with its function as an elicitor-responsive gene, the expression of Svchs was induced and coordinated by methyl jasmonate. To our knowledge, this is the first report to describe the isolation and expression of a gene from S. viscidula.

MHC class I loci of the Bar-Headed goose (Anser indicus)

MHC class I proteins mediate functions in anti-pathogen defense. MHC diversity has already been investigated by many studies in model avian species, but here we chose the bar-headed goose, a worldwide migrant bird, as a non-model avian species. Sequences from exons encoding the peptide-binding region (PBR) of MHC class I molecules were isolated from liver genomic DNA, to investigate variation in these genes. These are the first MHC class I partial sequences of the bar-headed goose to be reported. A preliminary analysis suggests the presence of at least four MHC class I genes, which share great similarity with those of the goose and duck. A phylogenetic analysis of bar-headed goose, goose and duck MHC class I sequences using the NJ method supports the idea that they all cluster within the anseriforms clade.