Epigenetic changes in the regulation of carotenoid metabolism during honeysuckle flower development

Flower development is one of the most vital pathways in plant development, during which the epigenetic regulation of gene expression is essential. DNA methylation, the most conserved epigenetic modification, participates in gene expression regulation and transposable element silencing. Honeysuckle(Lonicera japonica) is an important medicinal plant renowned for its colorful and fragrant flowers. Honeysuckle flowers change color from white to gold as a result of carotenoid accumulation during development. However, the role of DNA methylation in flower color changes is not well understood in L. japonica. Here, we performed whole-genome bisulfite sequencing and transcriptome sequencing during flowering development in honeysuckle. The results showed that a decrease in the levels of genome-wide average DNA methylation during flower development and changes in DNA methylation were associated with the expression of demethylase genes. Moreover, many genes involved in carotenoid biosynthesis and degradation, such as Lj PSY1, LjPDS1, LjLCYE, and LjCCD4, have altered expression levels because of hypomethylation, indicating that DNA methylation plays an important role in flower color changes in honeysuckle. Taken together, our data provide epigenetic insights into flower development and color change in honeysuckles.

Treadmill exercise improves hippocampal neural plasticity and relieves cognitive deficits in a mouse model of epilepsy

Epilepsy frequently leads to cognitive dysfunction and approaches to treatment remain limited.Although regular exercise effectively improves learning and memory functions across multiple neurological diseases,its application in patients with epilepsy remains controversial.Here,we adopted a 14-day treadmill-exercise paradigm in a pilocarpine injection-induced mouse model of epilepsy.Cognitive assays confirmed the improvement of object and spatial memory after endurance training,and electrophysiological studies revealed the maintenance of hippocampal plasticity as a result of physical exercise.Investigations of the mechanisms underlying this effect revealed that exercise protected parvalbumin interneurons,probably via the suppression of neuroinflammation and improved integrity of blood-brain barrier.In summary,this work identified a previously unknown mechanism through which exercise improves cognitive rehabilitation in epilepsy.

Artificial Bear Bile:A Novel Approach to Balancing Medical Requirements and Animal Welfare

Bear bile has been a valuable and effective medicinal material in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)for over 13 centuries.However,the current practice of obtaining it through bear farming is under scrutiny for its adverse impact on bear welfare.Here,we present a new approach for creating artificial bear bile(ABB)as a high-quality and sustainable alternative to natural bear bile.This study addresses the scientific challenges of creating bear bile alternatives through interdisciplinary collaborations across various fields,including resources,chemistry,biology,medicine,pharmacology,and TCM.A comprehensive efficacy assessment system that bridges the gap between TCM and modern medical terminology has been established,allowing for the systematic screening of therapeutic constituents.Through the utilization of chemical synthesis and enzyme engineering technologies,our research has achieved the environmentally friendly,large-scale production of bear bile therapeutic compounds,as well as the optimization and recomposition of ABB formulations.The resulting ABB not only closely resembles natural bear bile in its composition but also offers advantages such as consistent product quality,availability of raw materials,and independence from threatened or wild resources.Comprehensive preclinical efficacy evaluations have demonstrated the equivalence of the therapeutic effects from ABB and those from commercially available drained bear bile(DBB).Furthermore,preclinical toxicological assessment and phase I clinical trials show that the safety of ABB is on par with that of the currently used DBB.This innovative strategy can serve as a new research paradigm for developing alternatives for other endangered TCMs,thereby strengthening the integrity and sustainability of TCM.

A 48-bp deletion upstream of LIGULELESS 1 alters rice panicle architecture

Panicle architecture is an agronomic determinant of crop yield and a target for cereal crop improvement.To investigate its molecular mechanisms in rice,we performed map-based cloning and characterization of OPEN PANICLE 1(OP1),a gain-of-function allele of LIGULELESS 1(LG1),controlling the spread-panicle phenotype.This allele results from a 48-bp deletion in the LG1 upstream region and promotes pulvinus development at the base of the primary branch.Increased OP1 expression and altered panicle phenotype in chimeric transgenic plants and upstream-region knockout mutants indicated that the deletion regulates spread-panicle architecture in the mutant spread panicle 1(sp1).Knocking out BRASSINOSTEROID UPREGULATED1(BU1)gene in the background of OP1 complementary plants resulted in compact panicles,suggesting OP1 may regulate inflorescence architecture via the brassinosteroid signaling pathway.We regard that manipulating the upstream regulatory region of OP1 or genes involved in BR signal pathway could be an efficient way to improve rice inflorescence architecture.

The UDP-glycosyltransferase OsUGT706D2 positively regulates cold and submergence stress tolerance in rice

In a genome-wide association study,we identified a rice UDP-glycosyltransferase gene,OsUGT706D2,whose transcription was activated in response to cold and submergence stress and to exogenous abscisic acid(ABA).OsUGT706D2 positively regulated the biosynthesis of tricin-4’-O-(syringyl alcohol)ether-7-O-glucoside at both the transcriptional and metabolic levels.OsUGT706D2 mediated cold and submergence tolerance by modulating the expression of stress-responsive genes as well as the abscisic acid(ABA)signaling pathway.Gain of function of OsUGT706D2 increased cold and submergence tolerance and loss of function of OsUGT706D2 reduced cold tolerance.ABA positively regulated OsUGT706D2-mediated cold tolerance but reduced submergence tolerance.These findings suggest the potential use of OsUGT706D2 for improving abiotic stress tolerance in rice.

Unveiling the rolling texture variations ofα-Mg phases in a dual-phase Mg-Li alloy

LZ91 Mg-Li alloy plates with three types of initial texture were rolled by 70%reduction at both room temperature and 200℃to explore the rolling texture formation ofα-Mg phase.The results showed that the rolling texture is largely affected by the initial texture.All the samples exhibited two main texture components as RD-split double peaks texture and TD-split double peaks texture after large strain rolling.The intensity of the two texture components was strongly influenced by the initial orientation and rolling temperature.Extension twinning altered the large-split non-basal orientation to a near basal one at low rolling strain.The basal orientation induced by twinning is unstable,which finally transmitted to the RD-split texture.The strong TD-split texture formed due to slip-induced orientation transition from its initial orientation.The competition between prismatic and basal slip determined the intensity and tilt angle of the TD-split texture.By increasing the rolling temperature,the TD-split texture component was enhanced in all three samples.Limitation of extension twinning behavior and the promotion of prismatic slip at elevated temperature are the main reasons for the difference in hot and cold rolling texture.

Development of a novel staging classification for Siewert Ⅱ adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction after neoadjuvant chemotherapy

BACKGROUND Stage classification for Siewert Ⅱ adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction(AEG)treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC)has not been established.AIM To investigate the optimal stage classification for Siewert Ⅱ AEG with NAC.METHODS A nomogram was established based on Cox regression model that analyzed variables associated with overall survival(OS)and disease-specific survival(DSS).The nomogram performance in terms of discrimination and calibration ability was evaluated using the likelihood-ratio test,Akaike information criterion,Harrell concordance index,time-receiver operating characteristic curve,and decision curve analysis.RESULTS Data from 725 patients with Siewert type Ⅱ AEG who underwent neoadjuvant therapy and gastrectomy were obtained from the Surveillance,Epidemiology,and End Results database.Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that sex,marital status,race,ypT stage,and ypN stage were independent prognostic factors of OS,whereas sex,race,ypT stage,and ypN stage were independent prognostic factors for DSS.These factors were incorporated into the OS and DSS nomograms.Our novel nomogram model performed better in terms of OS and DSS prediction compared to the 8th American Joint Committee of Cancer pathological staging system for esophageal and gastric cancer.Finally,a user-friendly web application was developed for clinical use.CONCLUSION The nomogram established specifically for patients with Siewert type Ⅱ AEG receiving NAC demonstrated good prognostic performance.Validation using external data is warranted before its widespread clinical application.

补肺活血颗粒治疗慢性阻塞性肺疾病稳定期患者的疗效及对肺功能、基质金属蛋白酶-9、基质金属蛋白酶抑制剂-1表达的影响

目的 观察补肺活血颗粒治疗慢性阻塞性肺疾病(Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD)稳定期的临床疗效并探讨其作用机制。方法 选取2019年1月—2021年10月期间在上海市宝山区中西医结合医院门诊及住院部的76例COPD稳定期患者为研究对象,按随机、对照、双盲的研究方法分为对照组和治疗组,每组各38例。对照组予以沙美特罗替卡松+安慰剂治疗,治疗组予以沙美特罗替卡松+补肺活血颗粒治疗。治疗8周后,观察比较两组患者临床疗效、不良反应,治疗前后第1秒用力呼气容积(Forced Expiratory Volume in the first second, FEV1)、用力肺活量(Forced Vital Capacity, FVC)、FEV1/FVC比值、中医证候积分、慢性阻塞性肺疾病评估测试(COPD assessment test, CAT)评分、基质金属蛋白酶-9(Matrix Metalloproteinase-9,MMP-9)、基质金属蛋白酶抑制剂-1(Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1,TIMP-1)、MMP-9/TIMP-1比值水平。结果 治疗后治疗组总有效率84.2%(32/38)高于对照组总有效率60.5%(23/38),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗后两组患者中医证候积分及CAT评分均较治疗前降低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。且治疗组低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗后治疗组FVC、FEV1、FEV1/FVC均较治疗前升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);且治疗组FVC、FEV1、FEV1/FVC均较对照组同期升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗后两组患者MMP-9、TIMP-1、MMP-9/TIMP-1水平较治疗前降低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);且治疗组低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。两组患者治疗期间均未发生严重不良反应。结论 补肺活血颗粒可减轻COPD稳定期患者临床症状,改善肺功能,调节基质金属蛋白酶平衡,抑制气道重塑,临床疗效显著,且安全可靠。

Gut microbiota-based pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic study and molecular mechanism of specnuezhenide in the treatment of colorectal cancer targeting carboxylesterase

Specnuezhenide(SNZ)is among the main components of Fructus Ligustri Lucidi,which has antiinflammation,anti-oxidation,and anti-tumor effect.The low bioavailability makes it difficult to explain the mechanism of pharmacological effect of SNZ.In this study,the role of the gut microbiota in the metabolism and pharmacokinetics characteristics of SNZ as well as the pharmacological meaning were explored.SNZ can be rapidly metabolized by the gut microbiome,and two intestinal bacterial metabolites of SNZ,salidroside and tyrosol,were discovered.In addition,carboxylesterase may be the main intestinal bacterial enzyme that mediates its metabolism.At the same time,no metabolism was found in the incubation system of SNZ with liver microsomes or liver homogenate,indicating that the gut microbiota is the main part involved in the metabolism of SNZ.In addition,pharmacokinetic studies showed that salidroside and tyrosol can be detected in plasma in the presence of gut microbiota.Interestingly,tumor development was inhibited in a colorectal tumor mice model administered orally with SNZ,which indicated that SNZ exhibited potential to inhibit tumor growth,and tissue distribution studies showed that salidroside and tyrosol could be distributed in tumor tissues.At the same time,SNZ modulated the structure of gut microbiota and fungal group,which may be the mechanism governing the antitumoral activity of SNZ.Furthermore,SNZ stimulates the secretion of short-chain fatty acids by intestinal flora in vitro and in vivo.In the future,targeting gut microbes and the interaction between natural products and gut microbes could lead to the discovery and development of new drugs.

穴位注射黄芪注射液治疗肺脾气虚证支气管哮喘慢性持续期疗效及对Th1/Th2平衡的影响

目的 探讨穴位注射黄芪注射液治疗肺脾气虚证支气管哮喘慢性持续期的临床疗效及对Th1/Th2平衡的影响。方法 选择2020年12月-2022年3月上海市宝山区中西医结合医院收治的94例肺脾气虚证支气管哮喘慢性持续期患者,将患者随机分成2组,对照组在常规西医治疗基础上联合生理盐水足三里穴位注射治疗12周,观察组在常规西医治疗基础上联合黄芪注射液足三里穴位注射治疗12周。观察比较2组治疗12周后中医症状积分、哮喘控制测试(ACT)评分、血清总IgE、外周血嗜酸性粒细胞(EOS)计数、EOS比例、肺功能指标[第一秒用力呼气容积(FEV_(1))、呼气流量峰值(PEF)、呼出气一氧化氮(FeNO)]、外周血Th1/Th2细胞因子[白细胞介素-2(IL-2)、肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)-α、干扰素(IFN)-γ、白细胞介素-4(IL-4)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、白细胞介素-10(IL-10)水平及Th1/Th2]及临床疗效、治疗安全性。结果 2组治疗后各项中医症状积分,血清总IgE、外周血EOS计数、EOS比例、FeNO水平及血清IL-4、IL-6、TNF-α、IL-10水平均明显降低(P均<0.05),且观察组治疗后以上各评分和指标水平均明显低于对照组(P均<0.05);2组治疗后ACT评分及血清IL-2、IFN-γ水平均明显升高(P均<0.05),观察组治疗后Th1/Th2水平明显升高(P<0.05),且观察组治疗后明显高于对照组(P均<0.05);2组治疗后FEV_(1)、PEF均明显升高(P均<0.05),但治疗后组间比较差异均无统计学意义(P均>0.05);观察组总有效率为91.3%(42/46),高于对照组的68.2%(30/44),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);2组治疗过程中均未发生明显不良反应。结论 黄芪注射液足三里穴位注射能有效改善肺脾气虚证慢性持续期支气管哮喘患者的临床症状,促进Th1/Th2平衡,有助于调节机体及气道的高敏状态,提高哮喘控制水平,保护肺功能,安全性良好。

光固化丙烯酸阴极电泳涂料的制备及性能研究

以甲基丙烯酸甲酯、丙烯酸丁酯、甲基丙烯酸二甲氨基乙酯、甲基丙烯酸羟乙酯、苯乙烯等作为功能性单体,通过自由基聚合反应合成丙烯酸基体树脂。通过异佛尔酮二异氰酸酯(IPDI)单体合成的异氰酸酯基(NCO)半饱和封闭物,与丙烯酸基体树脂进行接枝反应,在骨架中引入不饱和键,在紫外光和引发剂作用下制备出低温紫外光固化阴极电泳涂料。探讨了接枝比、活性稀释剂、光引发剂、闪蒸工艺、固化时间等对涂膜的影响,得到涂膜制备的最佳工艺条件:NCO半饱和封闭物与丙烯酸基体树脂接枝比例1∶0.7,活性稀释剂的质量分数为树脂总量的10%,光引发剂的质量分数为成膜物质的3%,闪蒸温度70℃,闪蒸时间5 min,紫外光照射60 s。涂膜性能优异,光泽度高,光滑平整,硬度高,抗冲击性能良好,适合工业化生产需要。

Viscous behavior of 1-hexyl-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide/titanium dioxide/polyethylene glycol

Viscous behavior is important for the process design, especially for the non-Newtonian fluid. In this study, the viscous behaviors of slurry, i.e., 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)im ide([Hmim][NTf_(2)])/titanium dioxide(TiO_(2))-polyethylene glycol(PEG200), were determined experimentally and systematically. The pressure drop was estimated when [Hmim][NTf_(2)]/TiO_(2)-PEG200 was used as the solvent in the absorption/desorption towers. The results show that the slurry belongs to the non-Newtonian fluid with shear-thinning behavior. High temperature and low solid content are beneficial to reduce the viscosity of [Hmim][NTf_(2)]/TiO_(2)-PEG200, and the presence of [Hmim][NTf_(2)] can effectively reduce the viscosity of the slurry. In addition, high temperature is preferable for reducing the pressure drop, and the pressure drop of slurry with the solid content value of 8.0%(mass) can reduce by 28.0%when the temperature increases from 313 to 333 K.

CPAL, as a New Mediator of Cardiomyocyte Metabolic Alterations and Pyroptosis, Regulates Myocardial Infarction Injury in Mice

Myocardial infarction (MI), the most serious of the ischemic heart diseases, is accompanied by myocardial metabolic disorders and the loss of cardiomyocytes. Increasing evidence has shown that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in various pathological conditions such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), and are emerging as a novel biomarker for these disorders. This study aims to investigate the regulatory role and mechanisms of lncRNAs in myocardial remodeling in the setting of MI. We find that post-infarcted hearts exhibit a reduction of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and an alteration of the glucose and lipid metabolism genes cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36), hexokinase 1 (HK1), and clucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), accompanied by cardiomyocyte pyroptosis. We then identify a previously unknown conserved lncRNA, AK009126 (cardiomyocyte pyroptosis-associated lncRNA, CPAL), which is remarkably upregulated in the myocardial border zone of MI mice. Importantly, the adeno-associated virus 9 (AAV9)-mediated silencing of endogenous CPAL by its short hairpin RNA (shRNA) partially abrogates myocardial metabolic alterations and cardiomyocyte pyroptosis during MI in mice. Mechanistically, CPAL is shown to bind directly to nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) and to act as an activator of NFκB to induce NFκB phosphorylation in cardiomyocytes. We also find that CPAL upregulates caspase-1 expression at the transcriptional level and consequently promotes the release of interleukin (IL)-18 and IL-1β from cardiomyocytes. Collectively, our findings reveal the conserved lncRNA CPAL as a new regulator of cardiac metabolic abnormalities and cardiomyocyte pyroptosis in the setting of MI and suggest CPAL as a new therapeutic target to protect cardiomyocytes against ischemic injury in infarcted hearts.

海南地区越南抱茎茶扦插技术研究

通过研究插穗、生长调节剂、扦插基质、扦插时期对越南抱茎茶扦插的影响,探究海南地区越南抱茎茶适宜的扦插条件。结果表明:越南抱茎茶扦插适宜时期为12月,纯红壤为基质和生长调节剂6-BA 10 mg·L-1+NAA 1500 mg·L-1条件下扦插生根率最高为84.15%。

血清25羟维生素D在2型糖尿病合并代谢综合征中的临床意义

目的探讨血清25-羟维生素D[25-(OH)D]水平在2型糖尿病(type 2 diabetes mellitus,T2DM)合并代谢综合征(metabolic syndrome,MS)中的价值,为临床诊断提供理论依据。方法收集2021年4月—2022年4月在皖南医学院第二附属医院住院的92例T2DM患者的临床资料,将其分成两组,观察组(n=46)为T2DM合并MS,对照组(n=46)为单纯T2DM。收集并比较两组患者的基线资料、相关生化指标及血清25-(OH)D水平。采用Logistic回归模型评估T2DM合并MS的发生发展的独立影响因素及受试者工作特征曲线(receiver operating characteristic curve,ROC)评估血清25-(OH)D对其预测效能。结果观察组血清25-(OH)D水平低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(t=4.469,P<0.001)。ROC曲线显示25-(OH)D对T2DM合并MS的AUC为0.748,灵敏度为97.8%,有一定的辅助诊断作用。结论血清25-(OH)D对T2DM患者合并MS的发生及发展具有预测价值,可用于辅助T2DM合并MS的诊断。

串联发射弹丸挤进过程数值仿真与分析

为研究串联发射的弹丸在不同起始速度下动态挤进膛线的力学机理与运动特点,以30 mm火炮为对象分析了串联发射方式的内弹道物理过程,建立了弹丸与坡膛的有限元模型,采用LS-DYNA软件进行了挤进过程的有限元仿真。研究结果表明:挤进过程中,弹带变形规律不受挤进起始速度的影响,均是逐步被膛线刻槽并发生塑性变形;起始速度由5 m·s^(-1)增加至400 m·s^(-1),弹带等效应力峰值从611.8 MPa升高至717.5 MPa,弹带塑性应变最大值从0.89降低至0.75,挤进阻力峰值从为20.3 k N提高至22.9 k N,挤进完成后的摩擦阻力从0提高至3.5 k N,挤进起始速度增加导致了弹带材料应变率、塑性流动应力与挤进阻力的改变,影响弹丸挤进后的内弹道过程;3发弹串联发射时,首发弹20个节点轴向速度的标准差为8.3 m·s^(-1),后续弹分别为18.2,26.7 m·s^(-1),后续弹挤进时的振动冲击效应较首发弹显著。

串联发射弹丸内弹道力学特性测试方法研究

针对小口径高射频串联发射弹丸的内弹道力学特性测试问题,提出了基于弹载存储测试技术的弹底压力、弹前压力同步测试方法。设计了模拟弹和小型聚偏二氟乙烯(polyvinylidene difluoride,PVDF)压电式力传感器,将力传感器作为底螺与头螺部件承受并测量弹底压力与弹前压力,在发射过载条件下进行了传感器力学分析并推导了受力与输出的关系方程;分析了传力块的质量、厚度,PVDF薄膜的厚度、面积对传感器动态特性和温升的影响;进行了力传感器灵敏度理论建模与分析并开展了标定试验。结果表明,PVDF薄膜预紧力越大,传感器灵敏度越小。开展了串联发射试验,测试结果和内弹道数值模拟计算结果吻合较好。

加拿大“暑期阅读俱乐部”奖励计划分析及启示

奖励计划是阅读推广活动项目管理中的一个重要环节,也是馆员激励的有效措施。通过对加拿大"暑期阅读俱乐部"活动奖励计划设立目的与奖励方式、申报条件与要求、评审与公布等环节的介绍,对其成功实施的因素进行分析,并结合我国阅读推广活动中奖励计划的实施情况,提出奖励计划构建与完善的措施。

牛瘤胃植物乳杆菌的分离鉴定与生物学特性分析

牛瘤胃中栖息着复杂多样的微生物,这些微生物种群一般会受饲粮、宿主基因型、健康状况、生活环境以及环境中的共生微生物之间的群体效应等的影响,进而又影响着饲料的利用率和牛群的健康,因此弄清牛瘤胃微生物群是十分必要的。利用厌养分离技术从成年牛瘤胃中分离出一株细菌,命名为Y-A-1。结合细菌形态学、生理生化特性和16Sr RNA序列同源性分析鉴定,结果表明Y-A-1菌株为植物乳杆菌。对该菌的生长特性包括最适生长温度、生长曲线、耐酸能力、耐盐等进行测定,结果表明菌株在30℃,pH 5.5~7.5范围内,盐离子浓度在7.5以下的环境中生长最好,该菌株的分离和生物特性研究对牛瘤胃微生物生存状态有了初步的了解,为进一步了解牛瘤胃微生物群奠定了一定的基础。

急性大血管闭塞性脑卒中静脉溶栓后转诊行血管内治疗预后影响因素分析

目的 探讨急性大血管闭塞性脑卒中(AIS-LVO)患者静脉溶栓后转诊行血管内治疗的安全性和有效性,分析影响预后的因素。方法 回顾性分析2018年1月至2020年12月在卒中防治中心静脉溶栓后转至南京医科大学第一附属医院行机械取栓术的AIS-LVO患者临床资料。根据机械取栓治疗后90 d改良Rankin量表(mRS)评分,将患者分为预后良好组(mRS评分≤2)和预后不良组(m RS评分>2)。单因素和多因素logistic回归分析患者预后相关危险因素。结果 共41例AIS-LVO患者纳入研究,其中预后良好组16例(39.0%)。将单因素分析中变量(P<0.05)纳入多因素logistic回归分析,结果显示术前美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(NIHSS)评分高、Alberta卒中项目早期CT评分(ASPECTS)低、卒中症状发作至卒中防治中心就诊时间(ODT)长以及卒中防治中心就诊至股动脉穿刺时间(DPT)长,均为AIS-LVO患者预后不良的独立危险因素(P<0.05)。结论 AIS-LVO患者静脉溶栓后转诊行血管内治疗安全有效。术前NIHSS评分、ASPECTS、ODT、DPT是患者临床预后的预测因素。