Computational analysis of genetic loci required for amphid structure and functions and their possibly corresponding microRNAs in C. elegans

Objective To examine the important roles of microRNAs （miRNAs） in regulating amphid structure and function, we performed a computational analysis for the genetic loci required for the sensory perception and their possibly corresponding miRNAs in C. elegans. Methods Total 55 genetic loci required for the amphid structure and function were selected. Sequence alignment was combined with E value evaluation to investigate and identify the possible corresponding miRNAs. Results Total 30 genes among the 55 genetic loci selected have their possible corresponding regulatory miRNA（s）, and identified genes participate in the regulation of almost all aspects of amphid structure and function. In addition, our data suggest that both the amphid structure and the amphid functions might be regulated by a series of network signaling pathways. Moreover, the distribution of miRNAs along the 3＇ untranslated region （UTR） of these 30 genes exhibits different patterns. Conclusion We present the possible miRNA-mediated signaling pathways involved in the regulation of chemosensation and thermosensation by controlling the corresponding sensory neuron and interneuron functions. Our work will be useful for better understanding of the miRNA-mediated control of the chemotaxis and thermotaxis in C. elegans.

Screening for genetic loci affecting the active zone formation in C. elegans

Objective To screen and identify genetic loci affecting the active zone formation in C. elegans. Methods A SYD-2：：GFP reporter was constructed and used as an active zone marker for forward genetic screen to identify genetic loci affecting the active zone formation. Results Eight isolated mutant alleles were characterized from 15,000 haploid genomes. The SYD-2：：GFP phenotypes of these mutants are mainly reflected as the changes of number, morphology, distribution of puncta and the gaps appearance. Some mutants also exhibit visible behavioral or physical phenotypes, and aldicarb resistant or sensitive phenotypes. Conclusion These mutants provide the opportunity for further systematic research on the active zone formation and the neurotransmission.

Computational analysis of genetic loci required for synapse structure and function and their corresponding microRNAs in C. elegans

Objective To elucidate the important functions of microRNAs （miRNAs） in regulating synaptic assembly and function, we performed a computational analysis for the genetic loci required for the synaptic structure and function and their corresponding miRNAs in C. elegans. Methods Total 198 genetic loci required for the synaptic structure and function were selected. Sequence alignment was combined with E value evaluation to investigate and identify the possible corresponding miRNAs. Results Total 163 genes among the 198 genetic loci selected have their possibly corresponding regulatory miRNA （s）, which covered most of the important genetic loci required for the synaptic structure and function. Moreover, only 22 genes among the analyzed 38 genetic loci encoding synaptic proteins have more possibility to under the control of non-coding RNA genes. In addition, the distribution of miRNAs along the 3＇ untranslated region （UTR） of these 22 genes exhibits different patterns. Condusion Here we provide the computational screen and analysis results for the genetic loci required for synaptic structure and function and their possible corresponding miRNAs. These data will be useful for the further attempt to systematically determine the roles of miRNAs in synaptic assembly and function regulation in worms.

C. elegans fat-1基因对SGC7901细胞的促凋亡作用

目的通过在人胃癌SGC7901细胞系上转入外源C.elegans fat-1基因观其对细胞增殖或对调亡的影响。方法构建携带有能够编码n-3多聚饱和脂肪酸脱氢酶的小秀丽隐杆线虫fat-1基因的重组质粒,转染人胃癌细胞SGC7901,检测n-6/n-3脂肪酸的比例,观察胃癌细胞的增殖和凋亡情况。结果转染成功后携带有fat-1基因的胃癌细胞,显示了对于n-3脂肪酸饱和酶的高表达。脂类分析表明,n-6PUFAs的比例大幅度降低,n-3PUFAs水平明显提高,n-6/n-3脂肪酸比例,从10.45下降到了0.79,尤其是花生四烯酸和二十碳戊烯酸的比率。相应地,在表达有fat-1基因的胃癌细胞中,来源于n-6PUFAs的类花生酸含量有显著减少。同时,fat-1基因的转移导致大量胃癌细胞的凋亡,抑制胃癌细胞的增殖。结论n-3脂肪酸去饱和酶的基因转移,能够有效调整人肿瘤细胞n-6/n-3脂肪酸的比例,起到抗癌作用,证明在癌症的预防和治疗中,n-6与n-3脂肪酸的比例扮演着一个重要的角色。

P. fluorescens and B. megaterium Effect on the Lifespan of Mutant-Type dpy-11 and Wild-Type of C. elegans

The research question being studied in this paper is how do different types of bacteria as food (Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus megaterium) affect the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans in dpy-11 mutant-type and wild-type? P. fluorescens and B. megaterium will be the two pathogens that will be tested on two different types of C. elegans: mutant-type dpy-11 and wild-type. From the analysis of primary articles studying these pathogens, it can be concluded that P. fluorescens and B. megaterium are decent contenders for allowing C. elegans to grow and possibly extend the lifespan of it. P. fluorescens will allow the lifespan of the two types of nematodes to be longer. Additionally, the mu-tant-type dpy-11 of C. elegans will have a much longer lifespan, even double, compared to that of the wild-type. The results showed P. fluorescens had a longer lifespan than B. megaterium but not as long as C. elegans’ main food source, E. coli. C. elegans mutant dpy-11 had a longer lifespan than the wild-type. Furthermore, there were no C. elegans present in the B. megaterium wild-type plates.

Computational Geometric Analysis for <i>C. elegans</i>Trajectories on Thermal and Salinity Gradient

Elegans are one of the best model organisms in neural researches, and tropism movement is a typical learning and memorizing activity. Based on one imaging technique called Fast Track-Capturing Microscope (FTCM), we investigated the movement regulation. Two movement patterns are extracted from various trajectories through analysis on turning angle. Then we applied this classification on trajectory regulation on the compound gradient field, and theoretical results corresponded with experiments well, which can initially verify the conclusion. Our breakthrough is performed computational geometric analysis on trajectories. Several independent features were combined to describe movement properties by principal composition analysis (PCA) and support vector machine (SVM). After normalizing all data sets, no-supervising machine learning was processed along with some training under certain supervision. The final classification results performed perfectly, which indicates the further application of such computational analysis in biology researches combining with machine learning.

Particle selectivity of filtering by C. elegans

A nematode Caenorhabditis elegans(C. elegans) is a filter feeder, which draws a suspension of bacteria and separates bacteria from the solvent by using pharyngeal pumping motions and specific mouth parts. This mechanism has not been fully understood. We investigated the mechanism of filtering of bacteria in the pharynx of C. elegans by visualization by fluorescent particles and dyed E. coli. We succeeded in quantifying the selectivity of bacteria-sized particles by C. elegans. The most accumulated particles were those of 0.5 μm in diameter. The quantity of accumulated particles of 0.2 μm or 1.0 μm in diameter was about one third of that of particles of 0.5μm in diameter. The least accumulated particles were those of 0.05 μm in diameter. These results suggest that the pharyngeal structures of C. elegans would be suitable for eating bacteria because the size of bacteria ingested by C. elegans worms is about 0.5 μm in diameter. We also succeeded in visualizing pharyngeal structures and pumping motions and flow in the pharynx. We found that there were phase differences in the motions among procorpus, metacorpus and isthmus. This result suggests filtering would occur at the two tips of procorpus and isthmus by the phase differences. We found that bacteria-sized particles and bacteria were flowed and trapped in the channels, which existed along the central lumen from tip of procorpus to isthmus. From our results, we proposed the novel mechanism of filtering of bacteria through the channels for flowing and trapping. In future, this selective filtering mechanism of C. elegans would be applied to development of microfluidic filtration devices for medical and biological equipment.

NHS Mediated CdTe Quantum Dots/Albumin Conjugates andLabeling C. Elegans

Luminescent quantum dots（QDs） are a promising alternative to organic dyes for biomedical assays and imaging. A new conjugation method, NHS mediated conjugating, for QDs and BSA was introduced. The QDs-BSA conjugates were confirmed, and their stability has been proved. Caenorhabditis elegans（ C, elegans） were used as animal models, and the imaging of QDs in the organism was studied.

Characterizing the Effect of Static Magnetic Fields on <i>C. elegans</i>Using Microfluidics

In nature, several organisms possess a magnetic compass to navigate or migrate them to desired locations. It is thought that these organisms may use biogenic magnetic matter or light-sensitive photoreceptors to sense and orient themselves in magnetic fields. To unravel the underlying principles of magnetosensitivity and magnetoreception, previous experiments have been conducted on bacteria, vertebrates, crustaceans, and insects. In this study, the model organism, C. elegans, is used to test their response and sensitivity to static magnetic fields in the range of 5 milli Tesla to 120 milli Tesla. Single wild-type C. elegans are put in microfluidic channels and exposed to permanent magnets for five cycles of thirty-second time intervals. The worm movement is recorded and analyzed with custom software to calculate the average velocity and the percentage of turning and curling. Contrary to some published studies, our results did not show a significant difference compared to control experiments. This suggests that C. elegans may not sense static magnetic fields in the range of field strengths that we tested.

Analysis of Freely Swimming C. elegans Using Laser Diffraction

Soil and aquatic multicellular microorganisms play a critical role in the nutrient-cycling and organismal ecology of soil and aquatic ecosystems. These organisms live and behave in a complex three-dimensional environment. Most studies of microorganismal behavior, in contrast, have been conducted using microscope-based approaches, which limit the movement and behavior to a narrow, nearly two-dimensional focal field. We report on a novel analytical approach that provides real-time analysis of freely swimming C elegans without dependence on microscope-based equipment. This approach consists of tracking the temporal periodicity of diffraction patterns generated by directing laser light onto nematodes in a cuvette. We measured oscillation frequencies for freely swimming nematodes in cuvettes of different sizes to provide different physical constraints on their swimming. We compared these frequencies with those obtained for nematodes swimming within a small droplet of water on a microscope slide, a strategy used by microscope-based locomotion analysis systems. We collected data from diffraction patterns using two methods: video analysis and real time data acquisition using a fast photodiode. Swimming frequencies of nematodes in a droplet of ionic solution on a microscope slide was confirmed to be 2.00 Hz with a variance of 0.05 Hz for the video analysis method and 0.03 Hz for the real time data acquisition using a photodiode;this result agrees with previously published estimates using microscope-based analytical techniques. We find the swimming frequency of unconstrained worms within larger cuvettes to be 2.37 Hz with a variance of 0.02 Hz. As the cuvette size decreased, so did the oscillation frequency, indicating a change in locomotion when physical constraints are introduced.

Live <i>C. elegans</i>Diffraction at a Single Point

Using coherent light, we analyze the temporal diffraction at a single point from real-time living C. elegans locomotion in three-dimensional space. We describe the frequency spectrum of single swimming nematodes in an optical cuvette at a single sampling point in the far-field diffraction pattern. An analytical expression of the double slit is used to model the frequency spectra of nematodes as oscillating segments. The frequency spectrum in the diffraction pattern expands discretely and linearly as a multiple of the fundamental frequency with increasing distance from the central maximum. The frequency spectrum of a worm at a single point in the frequency spectrum contains all the frequencies involved in the locomotion and is used to characterize and compare nematodes. The occurrence of resonant frequencies in the dynamic diffraction pattern increases with the distance from the central maximum. The regular spacing of the resonant frequencies is used to identify characteristic swimming frequencies.

An Observation Data Driven Simulation and Analysis Framework for Early Stage <i>C. elegans</i>Embryogenesis

Recent developments in cutting-edge live microscopy and image analysis provide a unique opportunity to systematically investigate individual cell’s dynamics as well as simulation-based hypothesis testing. After a summary of data generation and analysis in the observation and modeling efforts related to C. elegans embryogenesis, we develop a systematic approach to model the basic behaviors of individual cells. Next, we present our ideas to model cell fate, division, and movement using 3D time-lapse images within an agent-based modeling framework. Then, we summarize preliminary result and discuss efforts in cell fate, division, and movement modeling. Finally, we discuss the ongoing efforts and future directions for C. elegans embryo modeling, including an inferred developmental landscape for cell fate, a quasi-equilibrium model for cell division, and multi-agent, deep reinforcement learning for cell movement.

C反应蛋白/白蛋白比值对2型糖尿病合并急性心肌梗死患者远期不良心脑血管事件的预测价值研究

背景急性心肌梗死(AMI)是威胁全球公众健康的主要原因之一。虽然已有相应的再灌注治疗策略,但AMI相关的主要不良心脑血管事件(MACCEs)仍然是全世界人口死亡的原因之一。尤其合并糖尿病的AMI患者,因冠状动脉病变复杂,病变程度严重,尽早发现和判断该部分患者远期预后相对困难,因此寻找相对简便、易获得的实验室指标,有利于为2型糖尿病(T2DM)合并AMI患者经皮冠状动脉介入(PCI)术后MACCEs的预测提供依据。目的探讨血清C反应蛋白(CRP)/白蛋白(Alb)比值(CAR)对T2DM合并AMI患者PCI术后远期MACCEs的预测价值。方法纳入2014—2019年就诊于宁夏医科大学总医院心血管内科1683例T2DM合并AMI患者为研究对象,收集患者的一般临床资料与检查结果。对所有患者进行电话或门诊随访,以全因死亡、非致死性心肌梗死、再发不稳定型心绞痛、非致死性脑卒中、新发心力衰竭或心力衰竭加重再入院、再次血运重建作为MACCEs。根据患者随访期间是否发生MACCEs分为MACCEs组(508例)和非MACCEs组(1175例)。采用单因素及多因素Logistic回归分析探讨T2DM合并AMI患者MACCEs事件的影响因素。采用Kaplan-Meier法绘制患者的生存曲线,生存曲线的比较采用Log-rank检验。采用受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线分析CAR对T2DM合并AMI患者远期发生MACCEs的预测效能,使用净重分类改善指标(NRI)和综合判别指数(IDI)评价CAR对T2DM合并AMI患者预后评估的改善效果。结果1683例患者中508例(30.18%)患者发生MACCEs。多因素Logistic回归分析显示高血压病[OR(95%CI)=1.994(1.142~3.483)]、冠状动脉植入支架长度[OR(95%CI)=1.031(1.002~1.062)]、CRP[OR(95%CI)=0.950(0.915~0.986)]、Alb[OR(95%CI)=0.933(0.880~0.989)]及CAR[OR(95%CI)=5.582(1.705~18.277)]是T2DM合并AMI患者PCI术后发生MACCEs的影响因素(P<0.05)。根据CAR中位表达水平(0.86),将患者分为CAR<0.86组和CAR≥0.86组,Log-rank检验结果显示,CAR≥0.86组MACCEs发生率高于CAR<0.86组(52.68%与22.92%;χ^(2)=65.65,P<0.001)。ROC曲线显示CAR预测T2DM合并AMI患者发生MACCEs的ROC曲线下面积为0.728(95%CI=0.702~0.754),最佳截断值为0.576,灵敏度为0.617,特异度为0.747。在基线模型基础上,与CRP、Alb相比,CAR能明显改善对患者发生MACCEs的预测效果(NRI=0.377,IDI=0.166,C指数=0.690;P<0.05)。结论CAR是T2DM合并AMI患者PCI术后远期MACCEs发生风险的有效预测指标。

血清可溶性CD40配体、腱糖蛋白C、甲壳质酶蛋白-40联合检测对维持性血液透析并发心血管事件的预测作用

目的:探讨血清可溶性CD40配体(sCD40L)、腱糖蛋白C(TN-C)、甲壳质酶蛋白-40(YKL-40)联合检测对维持性血液透析(MHD)并发心血管事件的预测价值。方法:选择170例MHD患者为研究对象,依据不良心血管事件(MACE)发生情况分两组,即MACE组(n=63)和非MACE组(n=107),另选同期健康体检者为对照组(n=152)。比较各组血清sCD40L、TN-C、YKL-40水平,分析以上指标与MHD发生MACE的相关性及MHD并发MACE的危险因素,绘制受试者工作曲线(ROC)分析其预测价值。结果:MHD组血清sCD40L、TN-C、YKL-40水平高于对照组(均P<0.05)。MACE组的年龄、透析龄及血清sCD40L、TN-C、YKL-40水平高于非MACE组(均P<0.05)。MHD并发MACE与年龄、透析龄及血清sCD40L、TN-C、YKL-40水平呈正相关(均P<0.05)。多因素Logistic回归分析显示,MHD并发MACE的独立危险因素包括高水平sCD40L、TN-C、YKL-40以及高年龄和透析龄(均P<0.05)。血清sCD40L、TN-C、YKL-40单独及联合预测MHD并发MACE的AUC分别为0.701、0.679、0.754、0.875,联合预测价值最高,其次为YKL-40、sCD40L、TN-C(均P<0.05)。结论:MHD并发MACE患者血清sCD40L、TN-C、YKL-40水平有升高趋势,三者均为MACE发生独立危险因素,联合检测对MHD发生MACE有一定的预测价值。

血清MC-CP、CCL26、DcR3水平在COPD并发OSAS诊断中的临床价值

目的探究血清肥大细胞羧肽酶(MC-CP)、趋化因子26(CCL26)、诱饵受体3(DcR3)水平在慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)并发阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征(OSAS)诊断中的临床价值。方法选取2021年1月至2023年1月河北北方学院附属第一医院收治的COPD患者90例,其中单纯COPD患者48例即为COPD组,COPD合并OSAS患者42例即为COPD-OSAS组。同期选取在河北北方学院附属第一医院体检健康志愿者48例为对照组。采用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测血清MC-CP、CCL26、DcR3水平。受试者工作特征(ROC)和曲线下面积(AUC)分析血清MC-CP、CCL26、DcR3水平在COPD并发OSAS诊断中的临床价值。多因素Logistic回归分析COPD并发OSAS的影响因素。结果与对照组相比,COPD组和COPD-OSAS组患者吸烟指数、C反应蛋白(CRP)、白细胞计数(WBC)水平依次显著升高,1秒钟用力呼气容积与用力肺活量的比(FEV1/FVC)依次显著降低(P<0.05);与对照组相比,COPD组和COPD-OSAS组患者MC-CP、CCL26、DcR3水平依次显著升高(P<0.05);血清MC-CP、CCL26、DcR33者联合对COPD并发OSAS诊断的AUC比单独诊断的更高(Z=4.066,P<0.001;Z=2.391,P<0.05;Z=2.353,P<0.05)。多因素Logistic回归分析显示,吸烟指数、MC-CP、CCL26、DcR3水平是COPD并发OSAS的影响因素(P<0.05)。结论COPD并发OSAS患者血清中MC-CP、CCL26、DcR3表达水平升高,三者联合可提高对COPD并发OSAS的诊断价值。

Barley Protein LFBEP-C1 from Lactiplantibacillus plantarum dy-1 Fermented Barley Extracts by Inhibiting Lipid Accumulation in a Caenorhabditis elegans Model

Objective This study aimed to investigate the lipid-lowering activity of LFBEP-C1 in high glucose-fed Caenorhabditis elegans(C.elegans).Methods In this study,the fermented barley protein LFBEP-C1 was prepared and tested for its potential anti-obesity effects on C.elegans.The worms were fed Escherichia coli OP50(E.coli OP50),glucose,and different concentrations of LFBEP-C1.Body size,lifespan,movement,triglyceride content,and gene expression were analyzed.The results were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's multiple comparison test.Results Compared with the model group,the head-swing frequency of C.elegans in the group of LFBEP-C1 at 20μg/mL increased by 33.88%,and the body-bending frequency increased by 27.09%.This indicated that LFBEP-C1 improved the locomotive ability of C.elegans.The average lifespan of C.elegans reached 13.55 days,and the body length and width of the C.elegans decreased after LFBEP-C1 intake.Additionally,LFBEP-C1 reduced the content of lipid accumulation and triglyceride levels.The expression levels of sbp-1,daf-2,and mdt-15 significantly decreased,while those of daf-16,tph-1,mod-1,and ser-4 significantly increased after LFBEP-C1 intake.Changes in these genes explain the signaling pathways that regulate lipid metabolism.Conclusion LFBEP-C1 significantly reduced lipid deposition in C.elegans fed a high-glucose diet and alleviated the adverse effects of a high-glucose diet on the development,lifespan,and exercise behavior of C.elegans.In addition,LFBEP-C1 regulated lipid metabolism mainly by mediating the expression of genes in the sterol regulatory element-binding protein,insulin,and 5-hydroxytryptamine signaling pathways.

SR9009联合吲哚丙酸通过核因子κB信号通路减轻C2C12成肌细胞的炎症反应

背景:钟基因Rev-erbα参与调节炎症,但激活Rev-erbα会增加心脑血管疾病风险。为降低相关风险,探索Rev-erbα激动剂SR9009联合其他药物来减轻骨骼肌成肌细胞炎症,奠定治疗炎症相关性骨骼肌萎缩的理论基础。目的:探讨脂多糖刺激C2C12成肌细胞时吲哚丙酸、SR9009与核因子κB信号通路的关系。方法:①1μg/mL脂多糖刺激C2C12成肌细胞,RNA转录组测序结合KEGG通路富集分析信号通路。②CCK-8法检测C2C12成肌细胞活性,筛选吲哚丙酸的最佳给药浓度;然后将细胞分为空白对照组、脂多糖(1μg/mL)组、SR9009(10μmol/L)+脂多糖组、吲哚丙酸(80μmol/L)+脂多糖组、吲哚丙酸+SR9009+脂多糖组,ELISA检测细胞上清液中白细胞介素6水平,RT-qPCR检测白细胞介素6、肿瘤坏死因子α、Toll样受体4、CD14 mRNA表达,Western blot检测NF-κB p65、p-NF-κB p65蛋白表达。③siRNA敲减Rev-erbα,RT-qPCR评估敲减效率,检测白细胞介素6、肿瘤坏死因子αmRNA表达。结果与结论:①与空白对照组比较,脂多糖时间依赖性抑制成肌细胞融合形成肌管,白细胞介素6、肿瘤坏死因子αmRNA表达水平升高,细胞上清液中白细胞介素6水平显著升高;KEGG通路分析支持脂多糖刺激激活核因子κB信号通路。②吲哚丙酸浓度>80μmol/L时抑制C2C12成肌细胞活性;吲哚丙酸和SR9009通过抑制核因子κB信号通路发挥抗炎作用,降低白细胞介素6、肿瘤坏死因子α、Toll样受体4、CD14 mRNA表达水平,p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65蛋白表达比值低于脂多糖组。SR9009联合吲哚丙酸显著降低脂多糖诱导的炎症,Toll样受体4、CD14、白细胞介素6和肿瘤坏死因子αmRNA表达水平进一步下调,p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65蛋白表达比值显著低于吲哚丙酸+脂多糖组和SR9009+脂多糖组。③Rev-erbα随脂多糖刺激时间依赖性升高;siRNA敲减Rev-erbα效率达58%以上,成功敲减Rev-erbα后添加脂多糖,白细胞介素6和肿瘤坏死因子αmRNA表达较脂多糖组显著上调。④结果说明,Rev-erbα可以作为调节炎症反应的靶点,SR9009靶向激活Rev-erbα联合吲哚丙酸能抑制核因子κB信号通路显著减轻C2C12成肌细胞的炎症反应,联合抗炎效果优于单独干预。

基于质谱的脂质C=C和脂肪酰基位置鉴定方法及其在食品分析中的应用研究进展

脂质在生命体中发挥着重要作用,结构影响功能,脂质精细结构解析至关重要。但脂质结构的多样性和相似性对脂质分析提出了巨大挑战。质谱是脂质分析的重要技术之一,在脂质C=C和脂肪酰基位置结构解析中有着较好的应用。本文介绍脂质分析的前处理方法,综述基于质谱的C=C位置和脂肪酰基位置鉴定方法,并讨论该方法在食品分析中的应用,最后展望质谱在脂质化合物精确结构解析方面的发展趋势,以期为不饱和脂质C=C位置和脂肪酰基位置鉴定以及异构体识别和定量分析技术发展和应用提供参考。

Involvement of genes required for synaptic function in aging control in C.elegans

Objective To identify new genes required for neurosecretory control of aging in C. elegans. Methods In view of the importance of nervous system in aging regulation, we performed the screen for genes involved in the aging regulation from genetic loci encoding synaptic proteins by lifespan assay and accumulation of lipofuscin autofluorescence. We further investigated the dauer formation phenotypes of their corresponding mutants and whether they were possibly up-regulated by the insulin-like signaling pathway. Results The genetic loci of unc-10, syd-2, hlb-1, dlk-1, mkk-4, scd- 2, snb-1, ric-4, nrx-1, unc-13, sbt-1 and unc-64 might be involved in the aging control. In addition, functions of unc-10, syd-2, hlb-1, dlk-1, mkk-4, scd-2, snb-1, ric-4 and nrx-1 in regulating aging may be opposite to those of unc-13, sbt-1 and unc-64. The intestinal autofluorescence assay further indicated that the identified long-lived and short-lived mutants were actually due to the suppressed or accelerated aging. Among the identified genes, syd-2, hlb-1, mkk-4, scd-2, snb-1, ric-4 and unc-64 were also involved in the control of dauer formation. Moreover, daf-2 mutation positively regulated the expression of syd-2 and hlb-1, and negatively regulated the expression of mkk-4, nrx-1, ric-4, sbt-1, rpm-1, unc-10, dlk- 1 and unc-13. The daf-16 mutation positively regulated the expression of syd-2 and hlb-1, and negatively regulated the expression of mkk-4, nrx-1, sbt-1, rpm-1, unc-10, dlk-1 and unc-13. Conclusion These data suggest the possibly important status of the synaptic transmission to the animal＇ s life-span control machinery, as well as the dauer formation control.

Pharmacokinetics of Gelsemium elegans in female rats

Background:Gelsemium elegans Benth(G.elegans)is a poisonous perennial evergreen vine plant that has been applied in livestock production and veterinary clinical practice.Early studies found that the toxicity of G.elegans showed significant gender differences in rats,but the underlying reasons for this difference are still not well understood.Methods:In order to explore whether the gender differences in the toxicity of G.elegans are related to pharmacokinetic differences,based on the previous pharmacokinetic study of multiple components of G.elegans in male rats,this study used HPLC-MS/MS method established in the laboratory to conduct a pharmacokinetic study of multiple alkaloids in the plasma of female rats after a single gavage administration of G.elegans(dose of 0.1 g/kg).Results:Through detection,17 alkaloid components in the plasma of female rats were identified,and the pharmacokinetic parameters of 11 of these alkaloids were calculated.We find that in female rats.The T_(max)values were generally less than 0.5 h,and the T_(1/2)values exceeded 3 h,with the longest reaching up to 32.80 h half elimination time.Additionally,the C_(max)and AUC results indicated that female rats had generally higher absorption and exposure levels for most alkaloids.Conclusion:These results suggest that the reason for the differences in the toxicology of G.elegans may be related to the absorption and exposure of gelsemidine-type alkaloids in animals.