Construction of a chloroplast protein interaction network and functional mining of photosynthetic proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana

Chloroplast is a typical plant cell organelle where photosynthesis takes place. In this study, a total of 1 808 chloroplast core proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana were reliably identified by combining the results of previously published studies and our own predictions. We then constructed a chloroplast protein interaction network primarily based on these core protein interactions. The network had 22 925 protein interaction pairs which involved 2 214 proteins. A total of 160 previously uncharacterized proteins were annotated in this network. The subunits of the photosynthetic complexes were modularized, and the functional relationships among photosystem Ⅰ （PSI）, photosystem Ⅱ （PSII）, light harvesting complex of photosystem Ⅰ （LHC Ⅰ） and light harvesting complex of photosystem Ⅰ （LHC Ⅱ） could be deduced from the predicted protein interactions in this network. We further confirmed an interaction between an unknown protein AT1G52220 and a photosynthetic subunit PSI-D2 by yeast two-hybrid analysis. Our chloroplast protein interaction network should be useful for functional mining of photosynthetic proteins and investigation of chloroplast-related functions at the systems biology level in Arabidopsis.

Role of phytochemicals in colorectal cancer prevention

Although the incidence of colorectal cancer(CRC) has been declining in recent decades,it remains a major public health issue as a leading cause of cancer mortality and morbidity worldwide. Prevention is one milestone for this disease. Extensive study has demonstrated that a diet containing fruits,vegetables,and spices has the potential to prevent CRC. The specific constituents in the dietary foods which are responsible for preventing CRC and the possible mechanisms have also been investigated extensively. Various phytochemicals have been identified in fruits,vegetables,and spices which exhibit chemopreventive potential. In this review article,chemopreventive effects of phytochemicals including curcumin,polysaccharides(apple polysaccharides and mushroom glucans),saponins(Paris saponins,ginsenosides and soy saponins),resveratrol,and quercetin on CRC and the mechanisms are discussed. This review proposes the need for more clinical evidence for the effects of phytochemicals against CRC in large trials. The conclusion of the review is that these phytochemicals might be therapeutic candidates in the campaign against CRC.

Survey on Pre-pregnancy Health Knowledge and Service Demands among Un-pregnant Married Women

Objective To understand the pre-pregnancy health knowledge and service needs among un-pregnant married women in Shanghai. Methods A total of 968 newly-married un-pregnant women in Changqiao, Lingyun sub-districts and Huajing town of Xuhui district, Shanghai, were recruited and interviewed by structured questionnaire to collect the information on pre-pregnancy health knowledge and service demands. Results 1） Newly-married women thought the contraceptive methods suitable for them was male condom（84.4%）, followed by oral contraceptives（54%）, emergent contraceptive（52.5%） and contraceptive suppository （48.3%）. 2） The score of pre-pregnancy health knowledge was 54.7±14.5 among the subjects. The participants with junior college or a bachelor had more knowledge than those with junior or senior high school, and those who were engaged in medicine /education/science field had higher score. 3） They had higher knowing rate on the common knowledge, and the rate was above 80%. But the knowing rate on the knowledge of birth defect was low, and all below 50%. 4）A proportion of 52. 7% of the respondents knew that there was a station for reproductive health service in their communities, but only 45.5% received the service from the station, 87.0% thought they had insufficient or scarce knowledge, 73.6% planned to consult before pregnancy training courses on preparing pregnancy. and 63.6% were willing to attend the Conclusion The participants had certain pre-pregnancy health knowledge, but still need being improved,＂ in addition, they had higher needs on knowledge and service of birth defect prevention, at the same time they can＇t make full use of the existing reproductive health institution.

Study on NDRG3 in Mesenchyma of Prostate

Objective To study expression of NDRG3 in prostatic mesenchyma and effect of exogenous NDRG3 on prostatic stromal cells. Methods Immunohistochemical analysis was used to check expression of NDRG3 in prostate mesnenchyma. The WPMY-1 prostate immortalized mesenchyma cell line was stably-transfected with a NDRG3 gene expression vector. The NDRG3-stable transfected WPMY-1 sublines were studied along with parental and empty vector transfected WPMY-1 cells as controls. RT-PCR technology was applied to identity downstream gene expression under regulation of NDRG3 expression.Results Expression of DNRG3 was observed in prostate cancer mesenchyma, over-expression of NDRG3 in WPMY-1 cell up-regulated expression of chemotatic factors-CXCL3 and CXCL5. Conclusion Expression of stromal NDRG3 in prostate cancer specimens is significantly higher than that in benign prostatic hypertrophy （BPH） sample. There is a remarkable difference between the two groups of samples, NDRG3 may be related to angiogenesis in prostatic mesenchyma.

Phosphodiesterase 10A inhibitor PF-2545920 as a prospective agent for the clinical promotion of sperm motility

Phosphodiesterase(PDE)inhibitors can improve sperm motility in patients with asthenozoospermia.However,the most commonly reported nonselective PDE inhibitor pentoxifylline and PDE5 inhibitor sildenafil have the disadvantages of requiring a high concentration and destroying sperm integrity.We examined the PDE10A inhibitor PF-2545920 to compare its ability to promote sperm motility with that of pentoxifylline and sildenafil.After seminal plasma was discarded,several semen samples were subjected to four treatments(control,PF-2545920,pentoxifylline,and sildenafil)to evaluate their ability to affect motility,viability,and spontaneous acrosome reactions.Intracellular calcium and adenosine triphosphate(ATP),mitochondrial membrane potential,and penetration through viscous medium were assessed by flow cytometry,luciferase,and hyaluronic acid after treatment with PF-2545920.Statistical analyses were performed using the analysis of variance statistical test.PF-2545920 elevated the percentage of motile spermatozoa compared to the control,pentoxifylline,and sildenafil groups at 10μmol l^(-1)(P<0.01).It is less toxic to GC-2spd mouse spermatocytes cells and spermatozoa and causes fewer spontaneous acrosomal reactions(P<0.05).PF-2545920 also increased mitochondrial membrane potential(P<0.001)and altered intracellular calcium(P<0.05)in a dose-dependent manner,including increasing sperm hyaluronic acid penetrating ability(P<0.05).Therefore,PF-2545920 might be an excellent choiceforstimulatingthe spermmotility.

Effects of the ABCB1 genetic polymorphism on vancomycin blood concentration in critically ill patients of Chinese

To investigate the clinical application of vancomycin blood concentration monitoring in critically ill patients and the influence of the ABCB1 gene polymorphism on vancomycin dnug concentrations to guide clinically rational usage of vancomycin.The vancomycin blood concentration monitoring data on 141 critically ill patients in our hospital from November 2016 to March 2017 were analyzed and 68 patients who received the same dosages of vancomycin were subjected to ABCB1 genotyping.The results showed that among the 141 critically ill patients,68(48.22%)showed sub-target concentrations of vancomycin,averaging 5.58±2.54μg/mL;29 patients(20.56%)had higher than target concentrations,with an average value of 33.01±9.38μg/mL;and 44 cases(31.21%)were in the normal concentration range,with an average of 14.72±2.75μg/mL.The vancomycin concentrations in 1236TT-genotype patients were significantly higher than those of the 1236CC and 1236CT-genotype patients.The concentrations in the 2677AA-genotype patients were significantly higher than those in the 2677AT,2677GA,2677GG and 2677GT patients.Vancomycin concentrations in 3435CT patients were significantly higher than those in 3435CC,but slightly lower than those in 3435TT patients.The ABCB11236C>T,2677G>T/A and 3435C>T gene mutations may affect vancomycin blood concentrations.At the same time,other factors such as gender,age,co-morbidities and other transporters possiblely play the roles in influencing the concentration of vancomycin in patients.All these factors finally cause individual differences.

Microstructure and mechanical property of Mg-10Gd-2Y-1.5Zn-0.5Zr alloy processed by eight-pass equal-channel angular pressing

In this work,a high-strength Mg-10Gd-2Y-1.5Zn-0.5Zr(wt%)alloy was prepared via eight passes of equal-channel angular pressing(ECAP).The microstructures and mechanical properties of as-cast and ECAP alloys were systematically investigated by X-ray diffraction(XRD),optical microscopy(OM),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),transmission electron microscopy(TEM)and electronic universal testing machine.The obtained results indicate that the microstructure of as-cast alloy consists ofα-Mg dendrite,network Mg3(Gd,Y,Zn)phase and lamellar 14H long-period stacking ordered(LPSO)phase which is precipitated near the boundary of Mg3(Gd,Y,Zn)networks.After eight-pass ECAP,the network Mg3(Gd,Y,Zn)phase is deformed and broken.However,the refined Mg_3(Gd,Y,Zn)particles are not distributed uniformly in the matrix,but still aggregated at the interdendritic area.Moreover,the content of 14H lamellas increases obviously,and they become bent and kinked during severe deformation.DRX is activated in the region between Mg3(Gd,Y,Zn)particles and 14H clusters.Compression test at room temperature indicates that the ECAP alloy exhibits excellent mechanical property with compressive strength of 518 MPa and fracture strain of 21.6%.The comprehensive high strength and toughness could be ascribed to the refined Mg_3(Gd,Y,Zn)particles,DRX grains and kinked 14H LPSO phase.

A High-Strength and Biodegradable Zn–Mg Alloy with Refined Ternary Eutectic Structure Processed by ECAP

In this study, the microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion behaviors of a Zn–1.6 Mg(wt%) alloy during multipass rotary die equal channel angle pressing(RD-ECAP) processing at 150 °C were systematically investigated. The results indicated that a Zn + Mg2 Zn11 + MgZn2 ternary eutectic structure was formed in as-cast Zn–Mg alloy. After ECAP, the primary Zn matrix turned to fine dynamic recrystallization(DRX) grains, and the network-shaped eutectic structure was crushed into fine particles and blended with DRX grains. Owing to the refined microstructure, dispersed eutectic structure and dynamically precipitated precipitates, the 8 p-ECAP alloy possessed the optimal mechanical properties with ultimate tensile strength of 474 MPa and elongation of 7%. Moreover, the electrochemical results showed that the ECAP alloys exhibited similar corrosion rates with that of as-cast alloys in simulated body fluid, which suggests that a high-strength Zn–Mg alloy was successfully developed without sacrifice of the corrosion resistance.

Effect of miR-296 on the Apoptosis of Androgen-independent Prostate Cancer Cells

Objective To investigate the miR-296＇s function in prostate carcinoma（PCa） cells. Methods In order to profile the miRNA expression in LNCaP cells, the cultured cells were stimulated with androgen after 48-h starvation, miRNA microarray analysis and Q-RT-PCR assay were performed. To characterize the effects of miR296 on PCa cells, CL-1 and PC-3 cells were transfected with miR-296 and antisense-miR-296, cell growth and apoptosis were then analyzed. Results The miR-296-5p expression was up-regulated by 2.22 folds in the CL-1 cells, which do not express significantly androgen receptor, than in LNCaP cells. Knockdown of miR-296-5p induced apoptosis of CL-1 cells, but not LNCaP cells. However, knockdown of miR-296-5p inhibited the growth rate of LNCaP cells cultured in absence of androgen. Conclusion MiR-296-5p could be important for development of prostate cancer from androgen dependence to androgen independence.

Pubertal exposure to bisphenol A affects the reproduction of male mice and sex ratio of offspring

Objective To study the effects of pubertal exposure to bisphenol A （BPA） on the reproduction of male mice in adulthood and subsequent generation mice. Methods Male mice aged 21 d were exposed to BPA at a dose of 50 mg/kg per day for 7 d by intraperitoneal injection. Sperm count, sperm deformity rate and testis histology were evaluated 35 d after exposure. Male fertility index and newborns were further observed by mating with the normal female mice. Results The epididymal sperm number was decreased by 20.6% in BPA exposure group compared with the control （P〈O. 01）. Sperm deformity rate in BPA group was increased by 9.65% compared with the control （P〈O.05）. Testis seminiferous tubules were abnormal with sloughing of germ cells; BPA exposure had no significant effects on the fertility of male mice in adulthood; sex ratio of male to female offspring was increased. Conclusion Pubertal exposure to BPA disrupted spermatogenesis in adult mice, and the proportion of male offspring was increased compared with the control.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway inhibitors:inhibitors for diseases?

Mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)signaling pathway,one of the most important signaling pathways in eukaryotic organism,is involved in multiple cellular events such as cell growth,differentiation,and apoptosis.MAPK is of great importance to the normal function of organisms,while its dysfunction results in various diseases.So far,inhibitors specifically against each subfamilies of MAP kinase have been developed,while more endeavors are needed to discover the compounds selectively targeting a particular subfamily member.Most of the kinase inhibitors exert their functions in an ATP-competitive way or a non-ATP-competitive way.Further studies on the effective mechanism of the MAPK inhibitors and their therapeutic roles in the treatment of diseases are helpful for the illumination of MAP kinase function,the development of novel inhibitors,and the therapy of diseases caused by the dysfunction of the MAPK pathway.

Pan-Specific Antibodies as Novel Tools to Detect Valyllysine

Objective:Amino acyl modification of lysine residues is an essential mechanism of nutrient sensing that regulates various biological functions including reproduction.At present,the lack of pan-specific antibodies for a recently identified lysine valylation hinders the characterization and detection of this modification.The objective of this study is to raise pan-specific antibodies that may facilitate the identification of novel expression patterns of lysine valylation.Methods:Chicken ovalbumin was valylated as an immunogen to raise polyclonal antibodies(PcAbs)in rabbits.The population of the pan-specific antibodies recognizing valylated lysine was purified using the chemically synthesized valylated peptides consisting of random amino acids.The specificity of the antibodies was evaluated using ELISA,dot blots,Western blots,and immunohistochemistry(IHC)staining in human epididymis as well.Results:A preliminary and simple strategy to make an anti-valylated lysine PcAb was developed.The recognition of the antibodies to valyllysine was evaluated as pan specific.This was useful for the detection of the newly identified valyl modification using ELISA,dot blots,and Western blots.The antibodies were also successfully utilized in IHC assays,which revealed novel valyllysine modification patterns in epididymis tissues of human.Conclusions:A new antibody tool was provided for the study of lysine valylation.The novel expression patterns of valyllysine in the epididymis suggest that this modification may be involved in sperm maturation.