Effects of a school-based karate intervention on academic achievement,psychosocial functioning,and physical fitness:A multi-country cluster randomized controlled trial

Purpose:To examine the effects of a school-based karate intervention on academic achievement,psychosocial functioning,and physical fitness in children aged 7-8 years.Methods:Twenty schools in 5 different European countries(2 second-grade classrooms per school)participated in a cluster randomized controlled trial(Sport at School trial).Participants were assigned to either a control group,which continued with their habitual physical education lessons,or to an intervention group,which replaced these lessons with a 1-year karate intervention(Karate Mind and Movement program).A total of 721 children(344 girls and 377 boys,7.4±0.5 years old,mean±SD)completed the study,of which 333 and 388 were assigned to the control group and intervention group,respectively.Outcomes included academic performance(average grade),psychosocial functioning(Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire for parents),and different markers of physical fitness(cardiorespiratory fitness,balance,and flexibility).Results:The intervention provided small but significant benefits compared to the control group for academic achievement(d=0.16;p=0.003),conduct problems(d=-0.28;p=0.003),cardiorespiratory fitness(d=0.36;p<0.001),and balance(d=0.24;p=0.015).There was a trend towards significant benefits for flexibility(d=0.24;p=0.056).No significant benefits were observed for other variables,including psychosocial difficulties,emotional symptoms,hyperactivity/inattention,peer problems,or prosocial behaviour(all p>0.05).Conclusion:A 1-year school-based karate intervention was effective in improving academic achievement,conduct problems,and physical fitness in primary school children.The results support the inclusion of karate during physical education lessons.

Dose-response effect of pre-exercise carbohydrates under muscle glycogen unavailability:Insights from McArdle disease

Background:This study aimed to determine the effect of different carbohydrate(CHO)doses on exercise capacity in patients with McArdle disease—the paradigm of“exercise intolerance”,characterized by complete muscle glycogen unavailability—and to determine whether higher exogenous glucose levels affect metabolic responses at the McArdle muscle cell(in vitro)level.Methods:Patients with McArdle disease(n=8)and healthy controls(n=9)underwent a 12-min submaximal cycling constant-load bout followed by a maximal ramp test 15 min after ingesting a non-caloric placebo.In a randomized,double-blinded,cross-over design,patients repeated the tests after consuming either 75 g or 150 g of CHO(glucose:fructose=2:1).Cardiorespiratory,biochemical,perceptual,and electromyographic(EMG)variables were assessed.Additionally,glucose uptake and lactate appearance were studied in vitro in wild-type and McArdle mouse myotubes cultured with increasing glucose concentrations(0.35,1.00,4.50,and 10.00 g/L).Results:Compared with controls,patients showed the“classical”second-wind phenomenon(after prior disproportionate tachycardia,myalgia,and excess electromyographic activity during submaximal exercise,all p<0.05)and an impaired endurance exercise capacity(-51%ventilatory threshold and55%peak power output,both p<0.001).Regardless of the CHO dose(p<0.05 for both doses compared with the placebo),CHO intake increased blood glucose and lactate levels,decreased fat oxidation rates,and attenuated the second wind in the patients.However,only the higher dose increased ventilatory threshold(+27%,p=0.010)and peak power output(+18%,p=0.007).In vitro analyses revealed no differences in lactate levels across glucose concentrations in wild-type myotubes,whereas a doseresponse effect was observed in McArdle myotubes.Conclusion:CHO intake exerts beneficial effects on exercise capacity in McArdle disease,a condition associated with total muscle glycogen unavailability.Some of these benefits are dose dependent.

Exercise and quality of life in cancer

Historically,patients with cancer were told to avoid physical exertion.This dogma has changed over the last 2 decades,with an exponential growth in the number of studies showing not only the safety,but also the benefits of regular physical activity/exercise in the cancer continuum,notably for attenuating treatment-related toxicities and side effects.

Uncoupling protein 2 deficiency of non-cancerous tissues inhibits the progression of pancreatic cancer in mice

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC) is a disease of the elderly mostly because its development from preneoplastic lesions depends on the accumulation of gene mutations and epigenetic alterations over time. How aging of non-cancerous tissues of the host affects tumor progression, however, remains largely unknown. Methods: We took advantage of a model of accelerated aging, uncoupling protein 2-deficient( Ucp2 knockout, Ucp2 KO) mice, to investigate the growth of orthotopically transplanted Ucp2 wild-type(WT) PDAC cells(cell lines Panc02 and 6606PDA) in vivo and to study strain-dependent differences of the PDAC microenvironment. Results: Measurements of tumor weights and quantification of proliferating cells indicated a significant growth advantage of Panc02 and 6606PDA cells in WT mice compared to Ucp2 KO mice. In tumors in the knockout strain, higher levels of interferon-γ m RNA despite similar numbers of tumor-infiltrating T cells were observed. 6606PDA cells triggered a stronger stromal reaction in Ucp2 KO mice than in WT animals. Accordingly, pancreatic stellate cells from Ucp2 KO mice proliferated at a higher rate than cells of the WT strain when they were incubated with conditioned media from PDAC cells. Conclusions: Ucp2 modulates PDAC microenvironment in a way that favors tumor progression and implicates an altered stromal response as one of the underlying mechanisms.

Overexpression of miR-196b and HOXA10 characterize a poor-prognosis gastric cancer subtype

AIM:To identify molecular biologic differences between two gastric adenocarcinoma subgroups presenting different prognoses through the analysis of microRNA and protein expression.METHODS:Array technologies were used to generate1146 microRNAs and 124 proteins expression profiles of samples from 60 patients with gastric cancer.For the integrative analysis,we used established mRNA expression data published in our previous study.Whole mRNA expression levels were acquired from microarray data for 60 identical gastric cancer patients.Two gastric adenocarcinoma subgroups with distinct mRNA expression profiles presented distinctly different prognoses.MicroRNA and protein expression patterns were compared between gastric cancer tissue and normal gastric tissue and between two different prognostic groups.Aberrantly expressed microRNA,associated mRNA,and protein in patients with poor-prognosis gastric cancer were validated by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunochemistry in independent patients.RESULTS:We obtained the expression data of 1146microRNAs and 124 cancer-related proteins.Four microRNAs were aberrantly expressed in the two prognostic groups and in cancer vs non-cancer tissues(P<0.05).In the poor-prognosis group,miR-196b,miR-135b,and miR-93 were up-regulated and miR-29c*was down-regulated.miR-196b expression positively correlated with Homeobox A10(HOXA10)expression(r=0.726,P<0.001),which was significantly increased in poor-prognosis patients(P<0.001).Comparing gastric cancer with non-cancer tissues,46/124 proteins showed differential expression(P<0.05);COX2(P<0.001)and cyclin B1(P=0.017)were clearly overexpressed in the poor-prognosis group.CONCLUSION:Co-activation of miR-196b and HOXA10characterized a poor-prognosis subgroup of patients with gastric cancer.Elucidation of the biologic function of miR-196b and HOXA10 is warranted.

Current understanding of multi-species biofilms

Direct observation of a wide range of natural microorganisms has revealed the fact that the majority of microbes persist as surface-attached communities surrounded by matrix materials, called biofilms. Biofilms can be formed by a single bacterial strain. However, most natural biofilms are actually formed by multiple bacterial species. Conventional methods for bacterial cleaning, such as applications of antibiotics and/or disinfectants are often ineffective for biofilm populations due to their special physiology and physical matrix barrier. It has been estimated that billions of dollars are spent every year worldwide to deal with damage to equipment, contamina- tions of products, energy losses, and infections in human beings resulted from microbial biofilms. Microorganisms compete, cooperate, and communicate with each other in multi-species biofilms. Understanding the mechanisms of multi-species hiofilm formation will facilitate the development of methods for combating bacterial hiofilms in clinical, environmental, industrial, and agricultural areas. The most recent advances in the understanding of multi-species biofilms are summarized and discussed in the review.

Identification of Novel and Differentially Expressed MicroRNAs in the Ovaries of Laying and Non-Laying Ducks

MicroRNAs （miRNAs）, which post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression by binding to the 3′untranslated region of mRNAs to either inhibit or enhance translation, are involved in diverse biological processes. The use of high-throughput Solexa sequencing plays important roles in the discovery of miRNAs. In this study, we used high-throughput Solexa sequencing to identify novel duck miRNAs and compare the miRNA expression profiles in laying and non-laying duck ovaries. Using a bioinformatic analysis, we discovered 86 potential duck miRNAs similar to known chicken miRNAs and 43 unique sequences that matched known miRNAs of other species. We also found that miRNA variations and isoforms were widespread in our two RNA libraries, with most of the variations occurring in the 3′region of the miRNAs. Furthermore, we detected 55 miRNAs that exhibited significant expression differences between laying and non-laying ducks. Gene ontology （GO） and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes （KEGG） enrichment analyses of the potential targets of the differentially expressed miRNAs indicated these miRNAs may play key roles in the egg laying process. Finally, we confirmed the differential expression of 5 miRNAs in the laying and non-laying samples by qRT-PCR. Cumulatively, our work provides the first look at the miRNA expression profile of the duck ovary and provides novel insight into the roles of miRNAs in egg laying and reproduction.

Efficacy of MK615 for the treatment of patients with liver disorders

AIM:To investigate the hepatoprotective effect of MK615,a Japanese apricot extract,in an animal model,and its clinical therapeutic effect.METHODS:Wistar rats were administered physiological saline(4 mL/kg) or MK615 solution(4 mL/kg) for 7 d.On the sixth d,acute hepatic injury was induced by administering a single intraperitoneal injection(ip) of D-galactosamine hydrochloride(D-GalN)(600 mg/kg).Plasma levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase(AST) were determined,and liver tissues were used for histopathological analysis.Fifty-eight patients with liver disorders [hepatitis C(n = 40),non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(n = 15),and autoimmune liver disease(n = 3)] were orally administered commercially available Misatol ME-containing MK615(13 g/d) daily for 12 wk.Blood and urine were sampled immediately before and 6 wk,12 wk,and 16 wk after the start of intake to measure various biochemical parameters.The percentage change in ALT and AST levels after 12 wk from the pre-intake baseline served as a primary endpoint.RESULTS:D-GalN effectively induced acute hepatic injury in the rats.At 48 h after the ip injection of D-GalN,the plasma levels of ALT(475.6 ± 191.5 IU/L vs 225.3 ± 194.2 IU/L,P < 0.05) and AST(1253.9 ± 223.4 IU/L vs 621.9 ± 478.2 IU/L,P < 0.05) in the MK615 group were significantly lower than the control group.Scattered single cell necrosis,loss of hepatocytes,and extensive inflammatory cell infiltration were observed in hepatic tissue samples collected from the control group.However,these findings were less pronounced in the group receiving MK615.At the end of the clinical study,serum ALT and AST levels were significantly decreased compared with pre-intake baseline levels from 103.5 ± 58.8 IU/L to 71.8 ± 39.3 IU/L(P < 0.05) and from 93.5 ± 55.6 IU/L to 65.5 ± 34.8 IU/L(P < 0.05),respectively.A reduction of ≥ 30% from the pre-study baseline ALT level was observed in 26(45%) of the 58 patients,while 25(43%) patients exhibited similar AST level reductions.The chronic hepatitis C group exhibited significant ALT and AST level reductions from 93.4 ± 51.1 IU/L to 64.6 ± 35.1 IU/L(P < 0.05) and from 94.2 ± 55.5 IU/L to 67.2 ± 35.6 IU/L(P < 0.05),respectively.A reduction of ≥ 30% from the pre-study baseline ALT level was observed in 20(50%) of the 40 patients.ALT levels in both the combined ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA) treatment and the UDCA uncombined groups were significantly lower after Misatol ME administration.MK615 protected hepatocytes from D-GalN-induced cytotoxicity in rats.Misatol ME decreased elevated ALT and AST levels in patients with liver disorders.CONCLUSION:These results suggest that MK615 and Misatol ME are promising hepatoprotective agents for patients with liver disorders.

Systems perspectives on mRNA processing

到信使 rna 处理的学习的 genomic 技术的申请逐渐地在后生动物的有机体被进行以便理解发生在期间并且在抄写以后的复杂事件。mRNA 蛋白质相互作用和 mRNAdynamics 的大规模系统分析在信使 rna 抄写揭示了特性，拼接，运输，翻译，和周转，并且开始做了在信使 rna 处理的不同的层之间的连接。这里，我们考察 post-transcriptional 过程的全球研究并且讨论在后生动物的有机体面对我们信使 rna 规定的理解的挑战。在平行，我们检验扩展了我们 RNA 有约束力的蛋白质的知识和他们调整的 mRNAsthat 的网络的 genome-scaleinvestigations。

Atomic force microscopy reveals new mechanisms of increased aortic stiffness in hypertension

Hypertension is an important global health problem that continues increase in incidence.Increased vascularstiffness has been identified as an important component of the pathogenesis of hypertension(HT).Based on theresults of recent Framingham studies,it appears that aortic increased stiffness may precede hypertension suggest-ing that controlling arterial stiffness may

From Proteomics to Structural Studies of Cytosolic/MitochondriaI-Type Thioredoxin Systems in Barley Seeds

Thioredoxins （Trx） are ubiquitous proteins that participate in thiol disulfide reactions via two active site cysteine residues, allowing Trx to reduce disulfide bonds in target proteins. Recent progress in proteome analysis has resulted in identification of a wide range of potential target proteins for Trx, indicating that Trx plays a key role in several aspects of cell metabolism. In contrast to other organisms, plants contain multiple forms of Trx that are classified based on their primary structures and sub-cellular localization. The reduction of cytosolic and mitochondrial types of Trx is dependent on NADPH and catalyzed by NADPH-dependent thioredoxin reductase （NTR）. In barley, two isoforms each of Trx and NTR have been identified and investigated using proteomics, gene expression, and structural studies. This review outlines the diverse roles suggested for cytosolic/mitochondrial-type Trx systems in cereal seeds and summarizes the current knowledge of the barley system including recent data on function, regulation, interactions, and structure. Directions for future research are discussed.

Insights into erlotinib action in pancreatic cancer cells using a combined experimental and mathematical approach

AIM:To gain insights into the molecular action of erlotinib in pancreatic cancer (PC) cells. METHODS:Two PC cell lines, BxPC-3 and Capan-1, were treated with various concentrations of erlotinib, the specific mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor U0126, and protein kinase B (AKT) inhibitor XIV. DNA synthesis was measured by 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) assays. Expression and phosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and downstream signaling molecules were quantified by Western blot analysis. The data were processed to calibrate a mathematical model, based on ordinary differential equations, describing the EGFRmediated signal transduction. RESULTS:Erlotinib significantly inhibited BrdU incorporation in BxPC-3 cells at a concentration of 1 mol/L, whereas Capan-1 cells were much more resistant. In both cell lines, MEK inhibitor U0126 and erlotinib attenuated DNA synthesis in a cumulative manner, whereas the AKT pathway-specific inhibitor did not enhance the effects of erlotinib. While basal phosphorylation of EGFR and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) did not differ much between the two cell lines, BxPC-3 cells displayed a more than five-times higher basal phospho-AKT level than Capan-1 cells. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) at 10 ng/mL induced the phosphorylation of EGFR, AKT and ERK in both cell lines with similar kinetics. In BxPC-3 cells, higher levels of phospho-AKT and phospho-ERK (normalized to the total protein levels) were observed. Independent of the cell line, erlotinib efficiently inhibited phosphorylation of EGFR, AKT and ERK. The mathematical model successfully simulated the experimental findings and provided predictions regarding phosphoprotein levels that could be verified experimentally. CONCLUSION:Our data suggest basal AKT phosphorylation and the degree of EGF-induced activation of AKT and ERK as molecular determinants of erlotinib efficiency in PC cells.

New insights into tumor dormancy:Targeting DNA repair pathways

Over the past few decades, major strides have advanced the techniques for early detection and treatment of cancer. However, metastatic tumor growth still accounts for the majority of cancer-related deaths worldwide. In fact, breast cancers are notorious for relapsing years or decades after the initial clinical treatment, and this relapse can vary according to the type of breast cancer. In estrogen receptor-positive breast cancers, late tumor relapses frequently occur whereas relapses in estrogen receptor-negative cancers or triple negative tumors arise early resulting in a higher mortality risk. One of the main causes of metastasis is tumor dormancy in which cancer cells remain concealed, asymptomatic, and untraceable over a prolonged period of time. Under certain conditions, dormant cells can re-enter into the cell cycle and resume proliferation leading to recurrence. However, the molecular and cellular regulators underlying this transition remain poorly understood. To date, three mechanisms have been identified to trigger tumor dormancy including cellular, angiogenic, and immunologic dormancies. In addition, recent studies have suggested that DNA repair mechanisms may contribute to the survival of dormant cancer cells. In this article, we summarize the recent experimental and clinical evidence governing cancer dormancy. In addition, we will discuss the role of DNA repair mechanisms in promoting the survival of dormant cells. This information provides mechanistic insight to explain why recurrence occurs, and strategies that may enhance therapeutic approaches to prevent disease recurrence.

DNA damage and breast cancer

Cancer is intimately related to the accumulation of DNA damage,and repair failures(including mutation prone repair and hyperactive repair systems).This article relates current clinical categories for breast cancer and their common DNA damage repair defects.Information is included on the potential for accumulation of DNA damage in the breast tissue of a woman during her lifetime and the role of DNA damage in breast cancer development.We then cover endogenous and exogenous sources of DNA damage,types of DNA damage repair and basic signal transduction pathways for three gene products involved in the DNA damage response system;namely BRCA1,BRIT1 and PARP-1.These genes are often considered tumor suppressors because of their roles in DNA damage response and some are under clinical investigation as likely sources for effective new drugs to treat breast cancers.Finally we discuss some of the problems of DNA damage repair systems in cancer and the conundrum of hyper-active repair systems which can introduce mutations and confer a survival advantage to certain types of cancer cells.

Exploiting the homologous recombination DNA repair network for targeted cancer therapy

Genomic instability is a characteristic of cancer cells.In order to maintain genomic integrity,cells have evolved a complex DNA repair system to detect,signal and repair a diversity of DNA lesions.Homologous recombination(HR)-mediated DNA repair represents an error-free repair mechanism to maintain genomic integrity and ensure high-fidelity transmission of genetic information.Deficiencies in HR repair are of tremendous importance in the etiology of human cancers and at the same time offer great opportunities for designing targeted therapeutic strategies.The increase in the number of proteins identified as being involved in HR repair has dramatically shifted our concept of the proteins involved in this process:traditionally viewed as existing in a linear and simple pathway,today they are viewed as existing in a dynamic and interconnected network.Moreover,exploration of the targets within this network that can be modulated by small molecule drugs has led to the discovery of many effective kinase inhibitors,such as ATM,ATR,DNA-PK,CHK1,and CHK2 inhibitors.In preclinical studies,these inhibitors have been shown to sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapy and radiation therapy.The most exciting discovery in the field of HR repair is the identification of the synthetic lethality relationship between poly(ADPribose)polymerase(PARP)inhibitors and HR deficiency.The promises of clinical applications of PARP inhibitors and the concept of synthetic lethality also bring challenges into focus.Future research directions in the area of HR repair include determining how to identify the patients most likely to benefit from PARP inhibitors and developing strategies to overcome resistance to PARP inhibitors.

基于辣椒基因组测序探究辣味在种群中的进化

辣椒(Capsicum annuum)是美洲最古老的驯化作物之一,在全世界被广泛种植。本研究对CM334(墨西哥地方品种)进行了全基因组测序和组装(覆盖度为186.6×),同时还对另外两个栽培种和一个野生种分别进行了重测序和从头(de novo)测序。结果表明辣椒基因组大小约为番茄的4倍,辣椒基因组上存在大量gypsy转座子和花椰菜病毒家族元件的积累。结合转录组综合分析认为,辣椒素合成酶基因表达模式的改变及新功能化是导致辣椒素生物合成的原因,研究还发现辣椒与番茄在乙烯合成及果实成熟调控方面存在明显不同的分子模式。辣椒参考基因组的发布为辣椒营养品质和药用价值的改善提供了重要平台。

Tumor necrosis family receptor superfamily member 9/tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated f

Hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection is an excellent immunological model for understanding the mechanisms developed by non-cytopathic viruses and tumors to evade the adaptative immune response.The antigen-specific cytotoxic T cell response is essential for keeping HCV under control,but during persistent infection,these cells become exhausted or even deleted.The exhaustion process is progressive and depends on the infection duration and level of antigenemia.During high antigenic load and long duration of infection,T cells become extremely exhausted and ultimately disappear due to apoptosis.The development of exhaustion involves the impairment of positive co-stimulation induced by regulatory cytokines,such as transforming growth factor beta 1.This cytokine downregulates tumor necrosis factor receptor(TNFR)-associated factor 1(TRAF1),the signal transducer of the T cell co-stimulatory molecule TNFR superfamily member 9(known as 4-1BB).This impairment correlates with the low reactivity of T cells and an exhaustion phenotype.Treatment with interleukin-7 in vitro restores TRAF1 expression and rescues T cell effector function.The process of TRAF1 loss and its in vitro recovery is hierarchical,and more affected by severe disease progression.In conclusion,TRAF1 dynamics on T cells define a new pathogenic model that describes some aspects of the natural history of HCV,and sheds light on novel immunotherapy strategies for chronic viral infections and cancer.

Association between physical activity and cardiovascular risk factors:Dose and sex matter

Dear Editor,ETadegn TagedPFailure to meet World Health Organization(WHO)-determined minimum physical activity(PA)levels is an established risk factor for cardiovascular disease(CVD),^(1)but evidence is still scarce on its effects on other CVD risk factors.Furthermore,whether or not there are sex-specific effects on the association between PA and CVD risk is a matter of controversy,with some authors observing a protective effect of PA in men but not in women,^(2)and others finding the opposite trend.^(3)

Single-base resolution mapping of 2′-O-methylation sites by an exoribonuclease-enriched chemical method

2′-O-methylation(Nm)is one of the most abundant RNA epigenetic modifications and plays a vital role in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression.Current Nm mapping approaches are normally limited to highly abundant RNAs and have significant technical hurdles in m RNAs or relatively rare non-coding RNAs(nc RNAs).Here,we developed a new method for enriching Nm sites by using RNA exoribonuclease and periodate oxidation reactivity to eliminate 2′-hydroxylated(2′-OH)nucleosides,coupled with sequencing(Nm-REP-seq).We revealed several novel classes of Nm-containing nc RNAs as well as m RNAs in humans,mice,and drosophila.We found that some novel Nm sites are present at fixed positions in different t RNAs and are potential substrates of fibrillarin(FBL)methyltransferase mediated by sno RNAs.Importantly,we discovered,for the first time,that Nm located at the 3′-end of various types of nc RNAs and fragments derived from them.Our approach precisely redefines the genome-wide distribution of Nm and provides new technologies for functional studies of Nm-mediated gene regulation.

Structural basis of INTAC-regulated transcription

DearEditor,Eukaryotic transcription by RNA polymerase I(Pol I)is a strictly regulated process that involves the interplay of numerous factors.Promoter-proximal pausing is a regulatory mechanism that connects transcription initiation and productive elongation in metazoans(Core and Adelman,2019).Pol II forms a paused elongation complex(PEC)through binding of two transcriptional regulation factors DSIF and NELF(Vos et al.,2018).Following the duration of pausing,Pol II either proceeds into productive elongation or undergoes promoter-proximal premature transcription termination(PTT)(Kamieniarz-Gdula and Proudfoot,2019),which plays a decisive role in determining transcriptional outputs.