Hepatopancreatic transcriptome analysis and humoral immune factor assays in red claw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) provide insight into innate immunomodulation under Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection.

Red claw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) is an economically and nutritionally important specie. We aimed to assess the immunostimulatory response to C. quadricarinatus infection with Vibrio parahaemolyticus. After determining the LD50, we infected C. quadricarinatus and examined the differential expression profiles of hepatopancreas transcriptional genes, and observed the temporal changes of hepatopancreas pathological sections and serum immunoenzymatic activities at different time points to reveal the infection mechanism of V. parahaemolyticus and the immune detoxification mechanism of the organism. The results showed that V. parahaemolyticus infection with C. quadricarinatus caused hepatopancreas injury and the immune enzyme activity of the organism changed with time delay. Transcriptome analysis of 47,338 single genes obtained by RNA sequencing and de nove transcriptome assembly identified a total of 3678 differentially expressed genes (P < 0.05) in the expression profiles of susceptible and normal animals for comparative analysis, and 2516 differentially expressed genes (P < 0.05) in the expression profiles of asymptomatic (infection-resistant) and normal animals. GO and KEGG and analyses revealed immune-related pathways under V. parahaemolyticus infection, including Vibrio cholerae infection, phagosome, lysozyme, oxidative phosphorylation, antigen processing and presentation, apoptosis, and Toll-like receptor signaling, as well as significant differences in the expression patterns of related immune genes at different times (P < 0.05). These new experimental results reveal the molecular response of the hepatopancreas to V. parahaemolyticus infection and the corresponding adaptive mechanisms, thus further revealing the pathogenesis due to bacterial infection in the aquatic environment, and providing a reference for further understanding of microbial-host interactions in aquatic systems.

A new insight to characterize immunomodulation based on hepatopancreatic transcriptome and humoral immune factor analysis of the Cherax quadricarinatus infected with Aeromonas veronii.

Cherax quadricarinatus is a type of large freshwater crayfish that is characterized by rapid growth and formidable adaptability. It has also been widely cultured and studied as a model organism. Aeromonas veronii is the dominant pathogen in aquatic environments and the primary threat to aquaculture's economic stability. To better understand the interactions between C. quadricarinatus and A. veronii, high-throughput RNA sequencing of the C. quadricarinatus hepatopancreas was carried out on a control group, susceptible group (6 h after infection), and resistant group (48 h after infection). A total of 65,850,929 genes were obtained. Compared with the control group, 2616 genes were up-regulated and 1551 genes were down-regulated in the susceptible group; while 1488 genes were up-regulated and 1712 genes were down-regulated in the resistant group. GO and KEGG analysis showed that these differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were associated with multiple immune pathways, including Toll-like receptors (TLRs), antigen processing and presentation, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, phagosome, lysosome, JAK-STAT signaling pathway. qRT-PCR showed that infection by A. veronii changed the expression pattern of the serine proteinase inhibitor (SPI), crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH), anti-lipopolysaccharide factor (ALF), and extracellular copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1), all of which were significantly higher than in the control group up to 48 h after infection. In addition, detection of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), lysozyme (LZM), and phenoloxidase (PO) activity, as well as ceruloplasmin (CP) concentration at different times after infection showed diverse trends. Furthermore, pathological sections obtained 24 h after infection show lesions on the hepatopancreas and intestinal tissues caused by A. veronii. The results of this study provide a foundation for analyzing the immune mechanism of C. quadricarinatus infected with A. veronii at the transcriptional level and a theoretical basis for screening disease-resistant individuals to ensure healthy economic development of the aquatic industry.

Transcriptome analysis of the Macrobrachium nipponense hepatopancreas provides insights into immunoregulation under Aeromonas veronii infection.

The oriental river prawn Macrobrachium nipponense is a commercially important freshwater shrimp that is widely farmed in China. Aeromonas veronii is a conditional pathogen of farmed shrimp, which has caused huge economic losses to the industry. Therefore, there is urgency to study the host-pathogen interactions between M. nipponense and A. veronii to screen individuals with antimicrobial resistance. In this study, we examined the hepatopancreas of moribund M. nipponense infected with A. veronii and healthy individuals at both the histopathological and transcriptomic levels. We showed that A. veronii infection resulted in tubular necrosis of the M. nipponense hepatopancreas. Such changes likely affect assimilation, storage, and excretion by the hepatopancreas, which could ultimately affect the survival and growth of infected individuals. Among the 61,345 unigenes obtained through RNA sequencing and de novo transcriptome assembly, 232 were differentially expressed between the two groups. KEGG and GO analyses revealed that these differentially expressed genes were implicated in pathways, including PPAR, PI3K/AKT, and AMPK signaling. The results of this study will contribute to an analysis of the immune response of M. nipponense to A. veronii infection at the transcriptomic level. Furthermore, the RNA-seq data generated here provide an important genomic resource for research on M. nipponense in the absence of a reference genome.

Association of thyroid hormones with metabolic syndrome and its components in postmenopausal Chinese women.

To evaluate the association between thyroid hormones (TH) and metabolic syndrome (MS) in postmenopausal women (PmW), a cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 1000 participants of PmW (40-65 years). Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (fT4) were evaluated. The MS was defined using the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) ethnicity-specific definitions for Asian. Participants were classified into three groups according to the TSH reference range: high-TSH (≥4.2 mU/L), low-TSH (<0.1mU/L), and normal-TSH (0.1-4.2 mU/L) group. Serum triglycerides (TG) levels were higher in low-TSH group and high-TSH group compared with normal-TSH group (p < .05). The whole sample was stratified into <60 and ≥60 years subgroups. In the ≥60 years group, fT4 was negatively correlated with waist circumference (WC) (p = .028) and positively correlated with fasting blood glucose (FBG) (p = .043), meanwhile TSH was positively correlated with WC only in the control subjects (p = .014). No difference was found between TH and the number of MS components. It was demonstrated that serum fT4 levels were associated with FBG and WC, while TSH was associated with WC in elderly PmW without MS.

Amphiplicatus metriothermophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a thermotolerant alphaproteobacterium isolated from a hot spring.

A thermotolerant, Gram-strain-negative, non-spore-forming and strictly aerobic bacterium, designated GU51(T), was isolated from Guhai hot spring in Jimsar county, Xinjiang province, north-west China. Each cell of strain GU51(T) consisted of an oval body and two symmetrical long (3-6 µm) prosthecae. The strain moved by polar flagellum. Oxidase and catalase were produced. Strain GU51(T) grew within the ranges of 37-65 °C (optimum 48-50 °C), 0.5-7.5% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 2-3%) and pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum pH 7.5). The major respiratory quinone detected was ubiquinone 10 (U-10) and the genomic DNA G+C content was 66.7±0.4 mol%. Major fatty acids (>5%) were C(16 : 0), C(18 : 1)ω7c and 11-methyl C(18 : 1)ω7c. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, five glycolipids, phosphatidylglycerol and an unknown phospholipid. Phylogenetic analysis showed the closest relatives of strain GU51(T) were members of the genus Parvularcula with 92.3% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. On the basis of this polyphasic taxonomic characterization, it is suggested that strain GU51(T) represents a novel species of a new genus in the family 'Parvularculaceae', for which the name Amphiplicatus metriothermophilus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is GU51(T) ( = CGMCC 1.12710(T) = JCM 19779(T)).

Spatio-temporal distribution and evolution of the Tujia traditional settlements in China.

The rapid modernization in China has aggravated the reduction of the traditional settlements and aroused concern about the protection and research. This study aims to examine the spatial-temporal variations Tujia traditional settlements in China and to delineate the driving mechanism of the settlement distribution. Previous studies have focused on the characteristics of settlements in provincial or smaller areas, providing lacked information regarding spatial distribution heterogeneity of Tujia traditional settlements in China. In this study, the spatial heterogeneity and influence factors of the distribution of traditional Tujia settlements were examined using the GIS platform and statistical methods. The results reveal that the spatial distribution of settlements exhibits clustering with the pattern of "scattered distribution in a large region, while concentrated in small areas". The settlements were generally built in low hills, gentle slopes, sunny slopes and low-relief terrain areas, with elevation, relief degree of land surface (RDLS), slope and aspect were the key factors affecting the distribution. In Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, settlements showed significant clustering all through, though the location and number of clustering center kept changing. In this process, the history of the Tujia chieftain and the transportation and marketing lines of Sichuan salt had a profound influence on the historical evolution of the settlement.

Cognitive behavior, art, and music therapies intervention for treating the depression of children: A randomized control trial.

This study compared the effect of interactive media-based cognitive behaviour, art, and music therapies in reducing depression in children who survived abduction in Nigeria. A randomized control trial was conducted using three randomly selected secondary schools in Northern Nigeria. The study sample comprised 450 children randomly divided into a control group of (n = 225) and an experimental group of (n = 225). The treatment group was further divided into three groups; cognitive behavior (n = 75), art (n = 75), and music (n = 75) therapy, respectively. According to the findings of this study, cognitive behaviour, art, and music therapies via interactive media are a successful intervention technique for treating the depression of schoolchildren who survived abduction in Nigeria. However, compared to art and music therapy, cognitive behaviour therapy is more effective at treating depression. To lessen the depression of children who survived kidnapped in Nigeria, we recommend adopting cognitive behavioural therapy.

A global transcriptional activator involved in the iron homeostasis in cyanobacteria.

Cyanobacteria use a series of adaptation strategies and a complicated regulatory network to maintain intracellular iron (Fe) homeostasis. Here, a global activator named IutR has been identified through three-dimensional chromosome organization and transcriptome analysis in a model cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Inactivation of all three homologous IutR-encoding genes resulted in an impaired tolerance of Synechocystis to Fe deficiency and loss of the responses of Fe uptake-related genes to Fe-deplete conditions. Protein-promoter interaction assays confirmed the direct binding of IutR with the promoters of genes related to Fe uptake, and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing analysis further revealed that in addition to Fe uptake, IutR could regulate many other physiological processes involved in intracellular Fe homeostasis. These results proved that IutR is an important transcriptional activator, which is essential for cyanobacteria to induce Fe-deficiency response genes. This study provides in-depth insights into the complicated Fe-deficient signaling network and the molecular mechanism of cyanobacteria adaptation to Fe-deficient environments.

Nearwork-induced transient myopia and parental refractive error.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between parental refractive error and the nearwork-induced transient myopia (NITM) characteristics of their children. METHODS: Three hundred sixty children (173 boys and 187 girls) aged 6 to 17 years were tested. Initial NITM and its decay time (DT) were assessed objectively (WAM-5500, Grand-Seiko) immediately after binocularly viewing and performing a sustained near task (5 diopters [D]) for 5 minutes, incorporating a cognitive demand with full distance refractive correction in place. The NITM was classified into three categories: low (< 0.15 D), moderate (0.15 to 0.30 D), or high (≥0.30 D), whereas its decay was classified into two categories, namely, complete or incomplete. In addition, the children were divided into three groups based on the number of myopic parents (none, one, or two) and into four groups based on the level of parental myopia (no, low, moderate, or high). RESULTS: Neither paternal nor maternal refractive error was associated with either their children's initial NITM magnitude or its DT in the myopic, emmetropic, or hyperopic groups or the combined group. No significant differences (p > 0.05) in the NITM magnitude, DT, or decay time constant were found as related to the number of myopic parents or level of parental myopia. Multiple odds ratio for incomplete decay of NITM did not change significantly (p > 0.05) with either an increase in number of myopic parents or level of parental myopia. CONCLUSIONS: There was no association between parental refractive error and their children's NITM characteristics. This suggests a primary environmental basis for the NITM characteristics in the children.

Nearwork-induced transient myopia (NITM) in anisometropia.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the magnitude of nearwork-induced transient myopia (NITM) under binocular viewing conditions separately in each eye of individuals with mild to moderate anisometropia to determine the relationship between NITM and their interocular refractive error. METHODS: Forty-three children and young adults with anisometropia [cycloplegic spherical equivalent (SE) difference >1.00 D] were tested (ages 9-28 years). NITM was measured with binocular viewing separately in each eye after binocularly performing a sustained near task (5 D) for 5 min incorporating a cognitive demand using an open-field, infrared autorefractor (Grand-Seiko, WAM-5500). Data were averaged over 10 s bins for 3 min in each eye. Initial NITM, its decay time (DT), and its decay area (DA) were determined. A-scan ultrasound ocular biometry was also performed to determine the axial length of each eye. RESULTS: The more myopic eye exhibited increased initial NITM, DT, and DA as compared to the less myopic eye (0.21 ± 0.16 D vs 0.15 ± 0.13 D, p = 0.026; 108.4 ± 64.3 secs vs 87.0 ± 65.2 secs, p = 0.04; and 17.6 ± 18.7 D*secs vs 12.3 ± 15.7 D*secs, p = 0.064), respectively. The difference in DA and the difference in SE between the more versus less myopic eye were significantly correlated (r = 0.31, p = 0.044). Furthermore, 63% (27/43), 56% (24/43), and 70% (30/43) of the more myopic eyes exhibited increased initial NITM, longer DT, and larger DA, respectively, than found in the less myopic eye. CONCLUSIONS: In approximately two-thirds of the anisometropic individuals, the initial NITM and its decay area were significantly increased in the more myopic eye as compared to the less myopic eye. NITM may play an important role in the development of interocular differences in myopia, although a causal relationship is yet to be established. Furthermore, the findings have potentially important implications regarding accommodative control and interocular accommodative responsitivity in anisometropia, in particular for anisomyopia.

Association of CLOCK gene variants with semen quality in idiopathic infertile Han-Chinese males.

Recent experimental animal studies suggested that the circadian locomotor output cycles kaput protein gene (CLOCK) may play an important role in male reproduction. So far, such data for humans are not available. This study used single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) to examine the association between CLOCK and semen quality in a human population with idiopathic infertility. Three-variant genotyping of CLOCK and semen analysis were performed in 478 men with idiopathic infertility by SNP genotyping assays and computer-aided sperm analysis. Subjects carrying a C allele at rs3749474 (CC and TC) presented significantly lower semen volume (P=<0.001 and 0.001, respectively) compared with the TT genotype. Subjects carrying the rs3749474 CC genotype had significantly lower sperm number per ejaculate (P=0.026) and sperm motility (P=0.021) than TT genotype carriers. rs1801260 TC genotype carriers had significantly lower sperm motility compared with the TT genotype (P=0.028). For the rs3817444 genotypes, CA and AA genotype carriers presented significantly lower semen volume compared with the CC genotype (P=0.022 and 0.001, respectively). The findings suggest, as far as is known for the first time, an association between CLOCK genetic variants and altered semen quality in a human population with idiopathic infertility. The gene encoding the circadian locomotor output cycles kaput protein (CLOCK) functions as an important positive enhancer of the circadian system. The observations reported in recent experimental animal studies suggested that CLOCK may play an important role in male reproduction. So far, such data for humans are not available. In this study, single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were used to examine the association between CLOCK and semen quality in human population with idiopathic infertility. Three-variant genotyping of CLOCK and semen analysis were performed in 478 males with idiopathic infertility by SNP genotyping assays and computer-assisted semen analysis. The results showed that the subjects carrying a C allele at rs3749474 (CC and TC) presented significantly lower semen volume compared with the TT genotype. For subjects carrying the CC genotype, sperm number per ejaculate and sperm motility were significantly lower compared with TT genotype carriers. The rs1801260 TC genotype carriers also had significantly lower sperm motility compared with the TT genotype. For the rs3817444 genotypes, the CA and AA genotype carriers presented significantly lower semen volume compared with the CC genotype. The findings suggested, as far as is known for the first time, an association between CLOCK genetic variants and altered semen quality in a human population with idiopathic infertility.

Reproducibility of nearwork-induced transient myopia measurements using the WAM-5500 autorefractor in its dynamic mode.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the reproducibility of nearwork-induced transient myopia (NITM) measurements obtained objectively using an open-field autorefractor (WAM-5500) in its dynamic mode. METHODS: NITM was assessed in 22, visually-normal, teen-aged and young-adult subjects using an infrared autorefractor (WAM-5500) in the dynamic mode. Measurements were obtained from the right eye in two test sessions separated by either 30 minutes or 2 days. Initial NITM and its decay were assessed monocularly by the same experimenter immediately after binocularly viewing and performing a detailed near task (5D) for 5 minutes incorporating a cognitive demand, with habitual distance refractive correction in place. Data were averaged over 10-second bins for 3 minutes (180 seconds; 18 bins) for the decay analysis. The NITM post- minus pre-task difference and its limits of agreement (LOA), as well as intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), were calculated to evaluate reproducibility over the two test sessions for the initial NITM magnitude and its decay. RESULTS: The group mean (±SE) initial NITM and its decay duration were 0.33 ± 0.09 D and 0.28 ± 0.08 D, and 118.6 ± 14.3 seconds and 132.3 ± 12.2 seconds respectively, for each test session, which were not significantly different (p > 0.05). The difference (range), LOA, and ICC (95% confidence interval [CI]) were 0.06D (-0.15, 0.64), -0.29 to 0.40D, and 0.90D (0.77, 0.96) for the initial NITM; they were -13.6 (-150.0, 140.0) seconds, -174.5 to 147.3 seconds, and 0.14 (0.00, 0.52) for decay duration, respectively, for each test session. The ICC range for the first 50 secs of the NITM response/decay was 0.90 to 0.96. CONCLUSIONS: The initial NITM was highly repeatable. The initial decay phase was moderately repeatable, with the later decay phase being more variable, yet still yielding acceptable reproducibility in many cases. Both of these key parameters, namely initial NITM and its early decay, can be assessed reliably and with good reproducibility. This is important in future longitudinal studies of NITM, and its possible relation to refractive development.

Effects of 1800-MHz radiofrequency fields on circadian rhythm of plasma melatonin and testosterone in male rats.

Radiofrequency fields (RF) at 1800 MHz are known to affect melatonin (MEL) and testosterone in male rats, but it remains to be determined whether RF affected circadian rhythm of these plasma hormones. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to 1800-MHz RF at 208 µw/cm² power density (SAR: 0.5762 W/kg) at different zeitgeber (ZT) periods of the day, including 0 (ZT0), 4 (ZT4), 8 (ZT8), 12 (ZT12), 16 (ZT16), and 20 (ZT20) h. RF exposure was 2 h/d for 32 d. From each rat, the concentrations of plasma MEL and testosterone were determined in plasma after RF exposure and compared with controls. The results confirmed the existence of circadian rhythms in the synthesis of MEL and testosterone, but revealed an inverse relationship in peak phase of these rhythms. These rhythms were disturbed after exposure to RF, with the effect being more pronounced on MEL than testosterone. The most pronounced effect of RF exposure on MEL and testosterone appears to be in rats exposed to RF at ZT 16 and ZT0 h, respectively. Data suggest that regulation of testosterone is controlled by MEL and that MEL is more sensitive to RF exposure.

Baseline characteristics of nearwork-induced transient myopia.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to describe the baseline refractive and nearwork-induced transient myopia (NITM) characteristics of the Beijing Myopia Progression Study, a 3-year cohort study, that has three overall specific aims: to investigate the natural history of NITM in schoolchildren living in the inner city of Beijing aged between 7 and 17 years; to investigate the possible relation between NITM and permanent myopia; and to determine the possible associations with NITM (eg, parental history). METHODS: Three hundred eighty-six students (187 males and 199 females) were enrolled. The mean ages were 8.4 ± 1.1 years and 14.2 ± 1.6 years for the primary school and secondary school students, respectively. Baseline refractive aspects were determined clinically. Initial NITM and its decay were assessed objectively immediately after binocularly viewing and performing a sustained near task (5 minutes; 5 diopters [D]), incorporating a cognitive demand with full distance refractive correction in place. RESULTS: Initial NITM (mean ± SD) / decay time (median, first quartile, and third quartile) was 0.18 ± 0.16 D / 50 (20, 90) seconds, 0.09 ± 0.13 D / 30 (10, 40) seconds, and 0.10 ± 0.19 D / 20 (10, 40) seconds among the myopic, emmetropic, and hyperopic students, respectively, for the combined school levels. Initial NITM and decay time were significantly larger/longer in the myopic versus the other two refractive groups. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings demonstrate that in a large sample of school-aged children with myopia, the initial NITM magnitude was significantly larger and the decay duration was significantly longer than that observed in age-matched children with either emmetropia or hyperopia. Follow-up for the next 3 years will provide insight into the possible role of NITM in the development of permanent myopia.

[Advances in near work-induced transient myopia].

The possible mechanism of myopia remains controversial while gene and environment are two generally acknowledged factors underlie the development of human myopia. Near work which is a primary, environmentally based factor in the development and progression of permanent myopia (PM) may take effect via near work-induced transient myopia (NITM). In this review, the definition, measuring procedure and relative evaluation parameters of NITM as well as its characteristics, methods for reducing NITM and its possible mechanisms reported in the literature will be summarized.

Therapeutic effects of auricular point acupressure on the recovery of patients after pterygium surgery: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: and purpose: Postoperative pain in the pterygium of the eye seriously affects patient recovery. This study was conducted to assess the efficacy of auricular point acupressure treatment on post-operative recovery in patients after pterygium surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a pilot, randomized controlled study. A total of 60 patients (60 eyes) were randomly assigned to two groups. After pterygium surgery, the auricular group was treated using ear acupressure (acupressure points with Cowherb seeds) and the control group was treated using sham auricular therapy (acupressure points without Cowherb seeds). Both groups were treated for one week. Outcome measures included pain score, corneal epithelial score, best-corrected visual acuity, and recurrence rate. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients completed the study. The mean pain scores and corneal epithelial scores were significantly reduced over time in the auricular group compared with those in the control group (p < 0.05). The time-group interaction for both pain scores and corneal epithelial scores was significant between the two groups (p < 0.05). Simple main effect analysis showed the mean pain scores in the auricular group were significantly lower at each time point (the first 2-h, the first day, the third day and the first week, p < 0.05) than the control group. Mean corneal epithelial scores of the auricular group were significantly lower on the first day and third day respectively than the control group (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the best-corrected visual acuity or recurrence rate between the two groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Auricular point acupressure accelerates corneal epithelium reconstruction and suppresses postoperative pain, making it an ideal adjunct treatment for postoperative pterygium recovery. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR2000032490 on http://www.chictr.org.cn/.

Tetraphenylpyrazine-Based Luminescent Metal-Organic Framework for Chemical Sensing of Carcinoids Biomarkers.

A new non-interpenetrated three-dimensional (3D) pillared-layered TPP-based LMOF [Zn3(TPyTPP)0.5(BDC)3]·8DMF (denoted as Zn-MOF 1) was successfully prepared (TPyTPP = tetrakis(4-(pyridin-4-yl)phenyl)pyrazine and H2BDC = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid). Zn-MOF 1 was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, PXRD, IR, N2 adsorption, thermogravimetric analysis, and luminescent spectrum. Impressively, luminescent sensing studies reveal that activated Zn-MOF 1 not only displays excellent luminescence-quenching efficiency with the values of high Ksv and low LODs toward 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA), respectively, but also possesses outstanding sensing characteristics in terms of fast response, high sensitivity, and specific selectivity. Zn-MOF 1 performs as efficient sensing of carcinoid biomarkers to provide a fresh detection platform for the diagnosis of carcinoids. In addition, the sensing mechanism was also explored on the basis of ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption, DFT calculations, and structural analysis.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Sapajus flavius（Blonde Capuchin）.

Sapajus flavius has been listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Sapajus flavius is presented here first, sequenced by next-generation sequencing (NGS). The Sapajus flavius mitogenome is 16,543 bp long, contains 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 rRNA genes (12S rRNA and 16S rRNA), 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and one control region (D-loop). The complete mitochondrial genome sequence provided here could help in the study of ecological and evolutionary research of Sapajus and conservation genetics of S .flavius.

Protective effect of lactobacillus plantarum on alcoholic liver injury and regulating of keap-Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway in zebrafish larvae.

This research investigated the protective effect of lactobacillus plantarum against alcohol-induced liver injury and the regulatory mechanism of Keap-Nrf2-ARE signal pathway in zebrafish. Firstly, a zebrafish alcoholic liver injury model was established using1.0mM of ethanol concentration, then two forms of lactobacillus plantarum treatment were designed to perform repair, including a lactobacillus plantarum thallus suspension (LPS) and a lactobacillus plantarum thallus breaking solution (LPBS). After 24h of alcohol injury, lactobacillus plantarum concentrations of 0, 1.0×105, 1.0×106, 1.0×107 and 1.5×107 cfu/mL were added to protect zebrafish larvae. Then with the treatment of lactobacillus plantarum after 48h, activities of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in zebrafish tissue homogenate were respectively determined. Keap-Nrf2-ARE signal pathway related gene expression conditions were also analyzed, including nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2(Nrf2), Kelch like ECH associated protein 1(Keap1), catalase(CAT), hemooxygenase1(HO1) and Glutathione S-Transferase Kappa 1(gstk1). Results showed that: in comparison with the control group, the LPBS with dosage of 1.0×107 cfu/mL remarkably improved the activities of SOD, CAT, HO1and gstk1 in zebrafish larvae liver (P<0.05), resulting in significant increase of the protein expression level of Nrf2 (225.78%) and suppression of Keap1 gene expression (73.67%)(P<0.01). As confirmed by the results, lactobacillus plantarum activated the Keap-Nrf2-ARE signal pathway from the level of transcription, the up-regulation of the expression quantity of Nrf2 protected the organism from oxidative stress and maximally reduced liver injury.

Research Progress in the Role of Tamoxifen in Nervous System and Cognitive Function / 中国医学科学院学报

Neurological diseases include a variety of neurodegenerative diseases and other brain damage diseases.The treatment schemes for neurological diseases are still in research.The existing clinical and basic studies have confirmed that traditional estrogen therapy has certain protective effect on the nervous system,while it increases the risk of breast or endometrial cancer.The emergence of the selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) can avoid the above mentioned problems.The available studies have confirmed the protective effect of tamoxifen as a SERM on the nervous system.This paper reviews the role and functioning mechanisms of tamoxifen in the nervous system and cognitive function,aiming to provide guidance for the future application of tamoxifen in the treatment of neurological diseases and the improvement of cognitive function.