Research Progress on the Mechanism of Correlation Between Vitamin D and Thyroid Cancer

Vitamin D is a kind of fat-soluble vitamin,which is mainly involved in the metabolism of calcium and bone in the human body.As a metabolic substance,it also has a certain impact on the cellular microenvironment,and vitamin D also inhibits the proliferation of tumor cells.25(OH)D is considered the best index to evaluate the vitamin D level in the human body because of its relatively stable characteristics in the circulation.Thyroid cancer is a common malignant tumor that develops from malignant thyroid nodules.A large number of studies have found that the lower the serum 25(OH)D level,the higher the risk of thyroid nodules.A large number of studies have found that the lower the serum 25(OH)D level,the higher the risk of thyroid nodules.

Reorganization of 3D genome architecture provides insights into pathogenesis of early fatty liver disease in laying hens

Background Fatty liver disease causes huge economic losses in the poultry industry due to its high occurrence and lethality rate.Three-dimensional(3D)chromatin architecture takes part in disease processing by regulating tran-scriptional reprogramming.The study is carried out to investigate the alterations of hepatic 3D genome and H3K27ac profiling in early fatty liver(FLS)and reveal their effect on hepatic transcriptional reprogramming in laying hens.Results Results show that FLS model is constructed with obvious phenotypes including hepatic visible lipid deposi-tion as well as higher total triglyceride and cholesterol in serum.A/B compartment switching,topologically associat-ing domain(TAD)and chromatin loop changes are identified by high-throughput/resolution chromosome conforma-tion capture(HiC)technology.Targeted genes of these alternations in hepatic 3D genome organization significantly enrich pathways related to lipid metabolism and hepatic damage.H3K27ac differential peaks and differential expres-sion genes(DEGs)identified through RNA-seq analysis are also enriched in these pathways.Notably,certain DEGs are found to correspond with changes in 3D chromatin structure and H3K27ac binding in their promoters.DNA motif analysis reveals that candidate transcription factors are implicated in regulating transcriptional reprogram-ming.Furthermore,disturbed folate metabolism is observed,as evidenced by lower folate levels and altered enzyme expression.Conclusion Our findings establish a link between transcriptional reprogramming changes and 3D chromatin struc-ture variations during early FLS formation,which provides candidate transcription factors and folate as targets for FLS prevention or treatment.

Long noncoding RNA H19 regulates degeneration and regeneration of injured peripheral nerves

Our previous studies have shown that long noncoding RNA(lncRNA)H19 is upregulated in injured rat sciatic nerve during the process of Wallerian degeneration,and that it promotes the migration of Schwann cells and slows down the growth of dorsal root ganglion axons.However,the mechanism by which lncRNA H19 regulates neural repair and regeneration after peripheral nerve injury remains unclear.In this study,we established a Sprague-Dawley rat model of sciatic nerve transection injury.We performed in situ hybridization and found that at 4–7 days after sciatic nerve injury,lncRNA H19 was highly expressed.At 14 days before injury,adeno-associated virus was intrathecally injected into the L4–L5 foramina to disrupt or overexpress lncRNA H19.After overexpression of lncRNA H19,the growth of newly formed axons from the sciatic nerve was inhibited,whereas myelination was enhanced.Then,we performed gait analysis and thermal pain analysis to evaluate rat behavior.We found that lncRNA H19 overexpression delayed the recovery of rat behavior function,whereas interfering with lncRNA H19 expression improved functional recovery.Finally,we examined the expression of lncRNA H19 downstream target SEMA6D,and found that after lncRNA H19 overexpression,the SEMA6D protein level was increased.These findings suggest that lncRNA H19 regulates peripheral nerve degeneration and regeneration through activating SEMA6D in injured nerves.This provides a new clue to understand the role of lncRNA H19 in peripheral nerve degeneration and regeneration.

Genome-Wide Analysis of the F3′5′H Gene Family in Blueberry(Vaccinium corymbosum L.)Provides Insights into the Regulation of Anthocyanin Biosynthesis

The F3′5′H gene family plays an important role in regulating anthocyanin biosynthesis,abiotic stress,and hormone signaling.In this study,14 F3′5′H genes were identified from the blueberry genome.The chromosomal distribution,physicochemical properties,F3′5′H domain,conserved motifs,cis-acting elements,and intron/exon compositions were analyzed.The functional prediction analysis of these VcF3′5′Hs indicated that their biological functions included light response and other secondary metabolites.The results of qRT-PCR showed that VcF3′5′Hs(especially VcF3′5′H4)were highly expressed at the ripening stage.Subcellular localization revealed that VcF3′5′H4 may be located in the endoplasmic reticulum.Co-expression analysis showed that the VcF3′5′H gene family was related to anthocyanin.This research provides an overview of the blueberry F3′5′H family and helps verify the role of these genes in regulating anthocyanin biosynthesis.

^(1)H and ^(13)C NMR spectral assignments for low-concentration bile acids in biological samples

Bile acids are the main body of enterohepatic circulation in vivo.They have essential functions such as emulsifying fat,bacteriostasis and regulating multiple metabolic pathways as signal molecules.However,the assignments of NMR signals for some lowconcentration bile acids are still needed.This study combined 1D nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR)and 2D NMR techniques including 1He1H correlation spectroscopy(COSY),1He1H total correlation spectroscopy(TOCSY),1H J-resolved spectroscopy(J-Res),1He13C heteronuclear single quantum coherence spectroscopy(HSQC),and 1He13C heteronuclear multiple bond correlation spectroscopy(HMBC)to assign the 1H and 13C signals of six bile acids in aqueous solution at physiological pH(~7.4)and nine bile acids in methanol.These data are of importance to the NMR-based studies on lipid digestion,absorption,and metabolism.

Sequence Analysis of Type III Effector tccP and tccP2 Genes in Escherichia coli O157:H7 from Chinese Water-chestnut

[Objective] This study aimed to analyze the type III effector tccP and tccP2 genes in Escherichia coli O157：H7 from Chinese water-chestnut. [Method] Gene-specific and locus-specific primers were utilized to amplify tccP/tccP2 and their flanking regions for sequence analysis. [Result] E. coli O157：H7 CWN11 harbored intact tccP and tccP2 genes, however, the number of proline-rich repeats in tccP gene was only one that probably resulted in biological incapability, whereas, the tccP2 gene consisted of five and half proline-rich repeats and could encode functional protein. [Conclusion] Here, we reported the first sequence of tccP gene that consisted of only one proline-rich repeat and tccP2 was assumed to play a crucial role in colonization and subsequent signaling cascades.

Prevalence of shiga toxins(stx_1,stx_2),eaeA and hly genes of Escherichia coli O157:H7 strains among children with acute gastroenteritis in southern of Iran

Objective:To survey the prevalence severe diarrhea arising from these bacteria in children under 5 years old in Marvdasht.Methods:In this study faecal sample from 615 children aged <5years old who were hospitalized lor gastroenteritis in Fars hospitals in Iran were collected and then enriched in Escherichia coli(E.coli) broth and modified tryplone soy broth with novobiocin media,fermentation of sorbitol,lactose and β— glucoronidase activity of isolated strains was examined by CT—SMAC,VRBA and chromogenic media respectively.Then isolation of E.coli O157:H7 have been confirmed with the use of specific antisera and with multiplex PCR method presence of virulence genes including:xtx_1.stx_2,eae.A.hly has been analyzed.Results:E.coli O157:H7 was detected in 7(1.14%) stool specimens.A significanl difference was seen between detection rale of isolated bacteria from age groups 18-23 months and other age groups(P=0.004).Out of considered virulence genes.only 1 of the isolated strains(0.16%)he stx,and eaeA genes were seen and also all isolated hacleria had resistance to penicillin,ampicillin and erythromycin antibiotics.Conclusions:We found thai children < 2 years of age were at highest risk of infection with E.coli O157:H7.Regarding severity of E.coli O157:H7 pathogenesis,low infectious dose and lack of routine assay for detection ol these bacleria in clinical laboratory,further and completed studies on diagnosis and genolyping of this E.coli O157:H7 strain has been recommended.

Construction of Recombinant Pseudorabies Virus Expressing Canine Distemper Virus H Gene and Analysis on Its Biological Characters

[Objective] The aim was to construct a recombinant pseudorabies virus expressing canine distemper virus H gene and investigate its biological characters.[Method] H gene of canine distemper virus（CDV）strain Onderstepoort was produced by RT-PCR,inserted into pcDNA3.1（＋）vector to construct a expression cassette,which was then subcloned into transfer vector p8AA,prior to the insertion of LacZ expression cassette.The resulting new transfer vector was named as p8AAZH.Subsequently,p8AAZH was co-transfected with the genome of pseudorabies virus（PRV）Bartha-K61 into BHK-21 cells to enable gene recombination and virus package,and the virus solution was collected as cytopathic effect occurring.A series of procedures including blue plaque purification,PCR identification,observation under electron microscope and Western blot were carried out to screen the recombinant pseudorabies virus and identify the protein expression of target gene.Meanwhile,growth curve of the recombinant virus was determined in BHK-21 cells.[Result] The H gene had been inserted into the genome of Bartha-K61 strain,and RPRV-H was the same as Bartha-K61 in the one-step growth curve and cytopathic effect in BHK-21 cells.[Conclusion] The recombinant pseudorabies virus was constructed,and the insertion of H gene did not influence proliferation of recombinant virus,which laid a foundation for development of recombinant canine distemper virus vaccine.

Construction and Identification of a Goat Pox Virus Transfer Vector to Express Peste des Petits Ruminants H gene

[Objective] This study was to develop a live vector vaccine of goat pox virus of Peste des petits ruminants(PPR). [Method] Using PCR amplification technique, PPR H gene was obtained, then ligated into pGEM-T easy vector; the recombinants were digested by Nhe Ⅰ and Hind Ⅲ, and ligated into pEGFP-N1-P7.5, yielding the recombinant vector pEGFP-N1-P7.5-H; next the expression cassette EGFP-N1-P7.5-H was first released from recombinant vector pEGFP-N1-P7.5-H by double digestion of Hind Ⅲ and Nhe Ⅰ and ligated into pUC119-TK that was digested by Kpn Ⅰ, yielding the transfer vector pUC119-TK-EGFP-P7.5-H. [Result] Identification and double enzyme digestion showed that the transfer vector pUC119-TK-EGFP-P7.5-H was correctly constructed. From the transfer vector transfected BHK-21 cells which infected GTPV AV41, specific fluorescence was observed at 48th h of transfection. [Conclusion] The construction of goat poxvirus live vector laid a foundation for the live vector vaccine of PPR vaccine.

Host markers and correlated mutations in the overlapping genes of influenza viruses: M1, M2;NS1, NS2;and PB1, PB1-F2

The influenza A viruses have three gene segments, M, NS, and PB1, which code for more than one protein. The overlapping genes from the same segment entail their interdependence, which could be reflected in the evolutionary constraints, host distinction, and co-mutations of influenza. Most previous studies of overlapping genes focused on their unique evolutionary constraints, and very little was achieved to assess the potential impact of the overlap on other biological aspects of influenza. In this study, our aim was to explore the mutual dependence in host differentiation and co-mutations in M, NS, and PB1 of avian, human, 2009 H1N1, and swine viruses, with Random Forests, information entropy, and mutual information. The host markers and highly co-mutated individual sites and site pairs (P values < 0.035) in the three gene segments were identified with their relative significance between the overlapping genes calculated. Further, Random Forests predicted that among the three stop codons in the current PB1-F2 gene of 2009 H1N1, the significance of a mutation at these sites for host differentiation was, in order from most to least, that at 12, 58, and 88, i.e., the closer to the start of the gene the more important the mutation was. Finally, our sequence analysis surprisingly revealed that the full-length PB1-F2, if the three stop codons were all mutated, would function more as a swine protein than a human protein, although the PB1 of 2009 H1N1 was derived from human H3N2.

Screening an Na^+/H^+ Antiporter Gene from the Halophiles Colonizing in the Dagong Ancient Brine Well of Zigong City,China

[Objective] This study aimed to screen an Na＋/H＋ antiporter gene from the halophiles colonizing in the Dagong Ancient Brine Well in Zigong City, China, and then analyze the gene structure and properties of the protein encoded by this gene. [Method] Metagenomic DNA libraries of halophiles from the Dagong Ancient Brine Well were used for screening genes with Na＋/H＋ antiporter activity in antiporter-defi- cient E. coil KNabc strain by functional complementation. Then the start codon, stop codon, ORF, -35 region, -10 region and SD sequence of Na~/H＋ antiporter gene, as well as the molecular weight, isoelectric point, hydrophobic region, transmembrane domain, phyletic evolution and salt resistance of protein encoded by the gene were investigated. [Result] A new Na＋/H＋ antiporter gene m-nha was obtained, which ,ren- dered the antiporter-negative mutant E. coil KNabc cells with both the resistance to Na＋ and the ability to grow under alkaline conditions. [Conclusion] The structure and amino acid sequence of M-Nha was different from the previously reported Na＋/H~ antiporters, and the m-nha gene disclosed from the Dagong Ancient Brine Well was identified as a novel Na＋/H＋ antiporter gene. This study was significant not only in helping us understand the salt tolerance of halophiles in ancient brine wells and develop and utilize the genes resource, but also in exploring new salt-tolerant genes.

Integrated analysis of human influenza A(H1N1)virus infectionrelated genes to construct a suitable diagnostic model

The genome characteristics and structural functions of coding proteins correlate with the genetic diversity of the H1N1 virus,which aids in the understanding of its underlying pathogenic mechanism.In this study,analyses of the characteristic of the H1N1 virus infection-related genes,their biological functions,and infection-related reversal drugs were performed.Additionally,we used multi-dimensional bioinformatics analysis to identify the key genes and then used these to construct a diagnostic model for the H1N1 virus infection.There was a total of 169 differently expressed genes in the samples between 21 h before infection and 77 h after infection.They were used during the protein-protein interaction(PPI)analysis,and we obtained a total of 1725 interacting genes.Then,we performed a weighted gene co-expression network analysis(WGCNA)on these genes,and we identified three modules that showed significant potential for the diagnosis of the H1N1 virus infection.These modules contained 60 genes,and they were used to construct this diagnostic model,which showed an effective prediction value.Besides,these 60 genes were involved in the biological functions of this infectious virus,like the cellular response to type I interferon and in the negative regulation of the viral life cycle.However,20 genes showed an upregulated expression as the infection progressed.Other 36 upregulated genes were used to examine the relationship between genes,human influenza A virus,and infection-related reversal drugs.This study revealed numerous important reversal drug molecules on the H1N1 virus.They included rimantadine,interferons,and shikimic acid.Our study provided a novel method to analyze the characteristic of different genes and explore their corresponding biological function during the infection caused by the H1N1 virus.This diagnostic model,which comprises 60 genes,shows that a significant predictive value can be the potential biomarker for the diagnosis of the H1N1 virus infection.

Morphofunctional status and the role of mononuclear phagocyte system lung compartment in the pathogenesis of influenza A (H5N1) in mammals

Influenza and other respiratory viral infections account for 80%-90% of infectious pathologies. Influenza A (H5N1) virus has an apparent pneumotropism, and therefore the lung compartment of mononuclear phagocyte system plays an important role in antiviral immunity. Lung macrophages are active phagocytes expressing variety of antiviral factors. The investigation of morphofunctional status of lung macrophages and evaluation of their role in mammal antiviral response in a mouse model were performed within the study. Methods: Light microscopy using standard hematoxylin-eosin, and Van-Gizon’s picrofuchsin staining. Immunohistochemistry using influenza A antigen marker specific primary antibodies, myeloperoxidase, cathepsin D, lysozyme, NO synthase, pro-inflammatory cytokines, cells of CD68 macrophage lineage, PCNA proliferative activity. Morphometric and statistical analysis. Results: Influenza A virus antigen was detected in lung macrophages starting from day 1 to day 14 of infection which corresponds with the beginning of convalescence and may be suggestive of prolonged persistence of virus. On the one hand, the cytopathic effects of the virus lead to lung macrophages death mainly via apoptosis through activation of caspase cascade, including caspase-3 and caspase-9. On the other hand, the observed activation of PCNA proliferation marker, perhaps, allows to support the pool of lung macrophages not only by their recruitment from bone marrow but also by their proliferation in situ. The increase of mononuclear phagocyte system cells expressing antiviral factors depended on the stage of infection. In the early stage, there was an increase of number of cells expressing lysozyme, myeloperoxidase, cathepsin D, endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) followed by the increase of number of macrophages expressing inducible NO synthase (iNOS), pro-inflammatory cytokines and interleukins.

Construction of Recombinant Expression Plasmids Containing H and F Protein Genes of Canine Distemper Virus Isolated from a Mink and Their Expression in Prokaryotic Cells

[Objective] This study aimed to construct the recombinant expression plasmids containing H and F protein genes of Canine distemper virus isolated from a mink and to express these two genes in prekaryotic cells as well as to study the reactogenieity of the expressed products. [ Method ] RT-PCR amplification was used to obtain H and F protein genes; TA cloning and subclonlng techniques were used to construct the cloning plasmids（pMD-18T-H and pMD-18T-F） and recombinant expression plasmids（pET28a-H and pET28a-F） ; SDS-PAGE and Western-blotting were adopted to verify whether the target proteins were successfully expressed. [ Result] The recombinant expression plasmids pET28a-H and pET28a-F containing H and F protein genes of Canine distemper virus isolated from a mink were successfully constructed, and both the expressed H and F proteins with respectively relative molecular mass of 31 400 and 38 200 produced positive reac- tion with the CDV standard positive serum. [ Conclusion] The H and F proteins expressed in prokaryotic cells were the same with the natural ones in terms of reac- togenicity, which can be utilized for diagnosis of a CDV＇s infection or for an epidemiological investigation. Meanwhile, they also provide a basis for developing ge- netically engineered subunit vaccines.

Sequence Comparison and Analysis of HA Gene of Four H9N2 Avian Influenza Virus Isolates

[ Objective] To determine the HA gene sequences of four H9N2 Avian influenza virus （AIV） strains and carry out comparative analysis so as to understand the difference and variation pattern of each strain from the angle of molecular biology and to know the distribution and epidemic law of H9N2 AIV. [Method] One pair of primers was designed referring to HA gene sequences of H9N2 AIV. The HA genes of A/Chicken/Hebei/WD/98 （H9N2; WD98 for short）, A/Chicken/Hebei/ZD/04 （H9N2; ZD04 for short））, A/Chicken/Beijing/MY/06 （H9N2; MY06 for short） ）, and A/Chicken/Beijing/PG/08 （H9N2; PG08 for short）） were amplified, cloned and sequenced. Then the HA gene sequences of these strains were compared with that of 10 H9N2 AIV stains in GenBank. [Result] The ORF of HA genes of the four strains was 1 683 bp in size, encoding 516 amino acids. The HA gene sequences of the four strains, WD98, MY06, PG08, and ZD04, were 82.6% -95.1%, 83.0% -99.0%, 82.7% -95.5%, and 81.3% -95.7% homologous to that of the 10 H9N2 AIV stains, respectively. And the homology of amino acid was respectively 86.6% -96.3%, 86.6% -97.9%, 87.0% -97.1%, and 86.9% -97.3%. [ Conclusion] The HA gene has greatly high homology among different strains.

Antimicrobial Effects of Plant Compounds against Virulent <i>Escherichia coli</i>O157:H7 Strains Containing Shiga Toxin Genes in Laboratory Media and on Romaine Lettuce and Spinach

Escherichia coli strains produce Shiga-toxins Stx-1 and Stx-2 that contribute to their virulence. The objective was to evaluate antimicrobial activities of plant essential oils (oregano, cinnamon, lemongrass), their active components (carvacrol, cinnamaldehyde, citral) and plant-extracts (green tea polyphenols, apple skin, black tea, decaffeinated black tea, grapeseed and pomace extracts) against E. coli O157:H7 strains containing Stx-1 and Stx-2 genes, as determined by Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction, in vitro and on leafy greens. Antimicrobials at various concentrations in sterile PBS were added to bacterial cultures (~3 - 4 logs CFU/ml), mixed thoroughly, and incubated at 37°C. Surviving bacteria were enumerated at 0, 1, 3, 5 and 24 h. The most effective essential oil (oregano oil;0.5%) and plant extract (green tea;3%) were evaluated against E. coli O157:H7 on romaine lettuce and spinach stored at 4°C for 7 days. Microbial survival was a function of the concentration of antimicrobials and incubation times. All antimicrobials reduced bacterial population to below detection levels in vitro;however, essential oils and active components exhibited greater activity than plant extracts. Oregano oil and green tea reduced E. coli O157:H7 on lettuce and spinach to below detection. Plant-based antimicrobials have the potential to protect foods against E. coli O157:

Construction of HBV-specific ribozyme and its recombinant with HDV and their cleavage activity in vitro

AIM To construct the recombinant of HDVcDNA and HBV-specific ribozyme gene byrecombinant PCR in order to use HDV as atransporting vector carrying HBV-specificribozyme into liver cells for inhibiting thereplication of HBV.METHODS We separately cloned the ribozyme（RZ）gene and recombinant DVRZ（comprisingHDV cDNA and HBV-specific ribozyme gene）intothe downstream of T7 promoter of pTAdv-Tvector and studied the in vitro cleavage activityof their transcripts（rRZ,rDVRZ）on target RNA（rBVCF）from in vitro transcription of HBV Cgene fragment（BVCF）.RESULTS Both the simple（rRZ）and therecombinant ribozyme rDVRZ could efficientlycatalyze the cleavage of target RNA（rBVCF）under different temperatures（37℃,42℃ and55℃）and Mg2+concentrations（10 mmol/L,15 mmol/L and 20 mmol/L）and their catalyticactivity tended to increase as the temperaturewas rising.But the activity of rRZ was evidentlyhigher than that of rDVRZ.CONCLUSION The recombinant of HDV cDNAand ribozyme gene had the potential of beingfurther explored and used in gene therapy of HBVinfection.

Cloning and Sequence of Glycoprotein H Gene of Duck Plague Virus

The glycoprotein H （gH） gene homologue of duck plague virus （DPV） was cloned by degenerate polymerase chain reaction （PCR） and sequenced. It was located immediately downstream from the thymidine kinase gene （TK）. In addition, the 3＇-end of the gene homologue to herpesvirus UL21 was located downstream from the gH gene. DPV gH gene open reading frame （ORF） was 2 505 bp in length and its primary translation product was a polypeptide of 834 amino acids long. It possessed several characteristics of membrane glycoproteins, including an N-terminal hydrophobic signal sequence, an external domain containing eight putative N-linked glycosylation sites, a C-terminal transmembrane domain, and a charged cytoplasmic tail. Comparison with other herpesvirus revealed identities of 20.2, 25.1, 23.0, 23.0, 26.5 and 26.0% with the gH counterparts of the human herpesvirus virus 1 （HSV1）, equine herpesvirus 4 （EHV4）, bovine herpesvirus 1 （BHV1）, pseudorabies virus （PRV）, gallid herpesvirus 2 （GHV2） and gallid herpesvirus 3 （GHV3）, respectively.

Transplantation of Nogo-66 receptor gene-silenced cells in a poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) scaffold for the treatment of spinal cord injury

Inhibition of neurite growth, which is in large part mediated by the Nogo-66 receptor, affects neural regeneration following bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation. The tissue engineering scaffold poly（D,L-lactide-co-glycolic acid） has good histocompatibility and can promote the growth of regenerating nerve fibers. The present study used small interfering RNA to silence Nogo-66 receptor gene expression in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and Schwann cells, which were subsequently transplanted with poly（D,L-lactide-co-glycolic acid） into the spinal cord lesion regions in rats. Simultaneously, rats treated with scaffold only were taken as the control group. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemistry revealed that at 4 weeks after transplantation, rats had good motor function of the hind limb after treatment with Nogo-66 receptor gene-silenced ceils prus the poly（O,L-lactide-co-glycolic acid） scaffold compared with rats treated with scaffold only, and the number of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and neuron-like cells was also increased. At 8 weeks after transplantation, horseradish peroxidase tracing and transmission electron microscopy showed a large number of unmyelinated and myelinated nerve fibers, as well as intact regenerating axonal myelin sheath following spinal cord hemisection injury. These experimental findings indicate that transplantation of Nogo-66 receptor gene-silenced bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and Schwann cells plus a poly（D,L-lactide-co-glycolic acid） scaffold can significantly enhance axonal regeneration of spinal cord neurons and improve motor function of the extremities in rats following spinal cord injury.