Molecular cloning, tissue expression pattern, responses to different fatty acids and potential functions of lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 1 (LPCAT1) in large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea)

In farmed fish, diets rich in palm oil have been observed to promote abnormal lipid build-up in the liver, subsequently leading to physiological harm and disease onset. Emerging research suggests that integrating phospholipids into the feed could serve as a potent countermeasure against hepatic impairments induced by vegetable oil consumption. Phosphatidylcholine is the most abundant type among phospholipids. In the metabolic processes of mammal, lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 1 (LPCAT1), crucial for phosphatidylcholine remodeling, demonstrates a marked affinity towards palmitic acid (PA). Nonetheless, aspects concerning the cloning, tissue-specific distribution, and affinity of the LPCAT1 gene to diverse oil sources have yet to be elucidated in the large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea). Within the scope of this study, we successfully isolated and cloned the cDNA of the LPCAT1 gene from the large yellow croaker. Subsequent analysis revealed distinct gene expression patterns of LPCAT1 across ten different tissues of the species. The fully sequenced coding DNA sequence (CDS) of LPCAT1 spans 1503 bp and encodes a sequence of 500 amino acids. Comparative sequence alignment indicates that LPCAT1 shares a 69.75 % amino acid similarity with its counterparts in other species. Although LPCAT1 manifests across various tissues of the large yellow croaker, its predominance is markedly evident in the liver and gills. Furthermore, post exposure of the large yellow croaker's hepatocytes to varied fatty acids, PA has a strong response to LPCAT1. Upon the addition of appropriate lysolecithin to palm oil feed, the mRNA expression of LPCAT1 in the liver cells of the large yellow croaker showed significant variations compared to other subtypes. Concurrently, the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory genes il-1β, il-6, il-8, tnf-α and ifn-γ in the liver tissue of the large yellow croaker decreased. Interestingly, they exhibit the same trend of change. In conclusion, we have cloned the LPCAT1 gene on fish successfully and find the augmented gene response of LPCAT1 in hepatocytes under PA treatment first. The results of this study suggest that LPCAT1 may be associated with liver inflammation in fish and offer new insights into mitigating liver diseases in fish caused by palm oil feed.

Glycerol monolaurate improved intestinal barrier, antioxidant capacity, inflammatory response and microbiota dysbiosis in large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) fed with high soybean oil diets

Glycerol monolaurate (GML) is a potential candidate for regulating metabolic syndrome and inflammatory response. However, the role of GML in modulating intestinal health in fish has not been well determined. In this study, a 70-d feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of GML on intestinal barrier, antioxidant capacity, inflammatory response and microbiota community of large yellow croaker (13.05 ± 0.09 g) fed with high level soybean oil (SO) diets. Two basic diets with fish oil (FO) or SO were formulated. Based on the SO group diet, three different levels of GML 0.02% (SO0.02), 0.04% (SO0.04) and 0.08% (SO0.08) were supplemented respectively. Results showed that intestinal villus height and perimeter ratio were increased in SO0.04 treatment compared with the SO group. The mRNA expressions of intestinal physical barrier-related gene odc and claudin-11 were significantly up-regulated in different addition of GML treatments compared with the SO group. Fish fed SO diet with 0.04% GML addition showed higher activities of acid phosphatase and lysozyme compared with the SO group. The content of malonaldehyde was significantly decreased and activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase were significantly increased in 0.02% and 0.04% GML groups compared with those in the SO group. The mRNA transcriptional levels of inflammatory response-related genes (il-1β, il-6, tnf-α and cox-2) in 0.04% GML treatment were notably lower than those in the SO group. Meanwhile, sequencing analysis of bacterial 16S rRNA V4-V5 region showed that GML addition changed gut microbiota structure and increased alpha diversity of large yellow croaker fed diets with a high level of SO. The correlation analysis results indicated that the change of intestinal microbiota relative abundance strongly correlated with intestinal health indexes. In conclusion, these results demonstrated that 0.02%-0.04% GML addition could improve intestinal morphology, physical barrier, antioxidant capacity, inflammatory response and microbiota dysbiosis of large yellow croaker fed diets with a high percentage of SO.

Effects of dietary lysolecithin on growth performance, serum biochemical indexes, antioxidant capacity, lipid metabolism and inflammation-related genes expression of juvenile large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea)

A 70-day feeding trial was conducted to investigate effects of dietary lysolecithin on growth performance, serum biochemical indexes, antioxidant capacity, lipid metabolism and inflammation-related genes expression of juvenile large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) with initial weight of 6.04 ± 0.08 g. A formulated diet containing approximately 42% crude protein and 12.5% crude lipid was used as the control diet (CON). The other three experimental diets were formulated with supplementation of 0.2%, 0.4% and 0.6% lysolecithin based on the control diet, respectively. Results showed that weight gain rate (WGR) and specific growth rate (SGR) significantly increased in fish fed diets with lysolecithin compared with those in the control diet (P < 0.05). Fish fed diets with 0.4% and 0.6% lysolecithin had notably higher lipid content in muscle than that in the control diet (P < 0.05). When fish were fed diets with lysolecithin, serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) content was notably higher than that in the control diet (P < 0.05), while fish fed the diet with 0.6% lysolecithin had a significant lower serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) content than that in the control diet (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, serum aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) activities in fish fed diets with lysolecithin were remarkably lower than those in the control diet (P < 0.05). With the increase of dietary lysolecithin from 0.2% to 0.6%, mRNA expression of stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase 1 (scd1), diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 (dgat2) and sterol-regulatory element binding protein 1 (srebp1) showed decreasing trends. Furthermore, mRNA expression of carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1 (cpt1) and lipoprotein lipase (lpl) among each dietary lysolecithin treatment were significantly higher than those in the control diet (P < 0.05). In terms of inflammation, mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor α (tnf-α) and interleukin-1 β (il-1β) were significantly down-regulated in fish fed diets with lysolecithin compared with those in the control diet (P < 0.05), while the mRNA expression of interleukin-10 (il-10) was significantly higher than that in the control diet (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary lysolecithin could promote the growth performance, improve hepatic lipid metabolism and regulate inflammation response in juvenile large yellow croaker, and the optimal supplement level of lysolecithin was approximately 0.4% in this study.

The Function and Regulatory Network of Pax9 Gene in Palate Development

Cleft palate, a common congenital deformity, can arise from disruptions in any stage of palatogenesis, including palatal shelf growth, elevation, adhesion, and fusion. Paired box gene 9 (Pax9) is recognized as a vital regulator of palatogenesis with great relevance to cleft palate in humans and mice. Pax9-deficient murine palatal shelves displayed deficient elongation, postponed elevation, failed contact, and fusion. Pax9 is expressed in epithelium and mesenchyme, exhibiting a dynamic expression pattern that changes according to the proceeding of palatogenesis. Recent studies highlighted the Pax9-related genetic interactions and their critical roles during palatogenesis. During palate growth, PAX9 interacts with numerous molecules and members of pathways (e.g., OSR2, FGF10, SHOS2, MSX1, BARX1, TGFβ3, LDB1, BMP, WNT β-catenin dependent, and EDA) in the mesenchyme and functions as a key mediator in epithelial-mesenchymal communications with FGF8, TBX1, and the SHH pathway. During palate elevation, PAX9 is hypothesized to mediate the time point of the elevation event in the anterior and posterior parts of the palatal shelves. The delayed elevation of Pax9 mutant palatal shelves probably results from abnormal expressions of a series of genes ( Osr2 and Bmpr1a) leading to deficient palate growth, abnormal tongue morphology, and altered hyaluronic acid distribution. The interactions between PAX9 and genes encoding the OSR2, TGFβ3, and WNT β-catenin-dependent pathways provide evidence that PAX9 might participate in the regulation of palate fusion. This review summarizes the current understanding of PAX9’s functions and emphasizes the interactions between PAX9 and vital genes during palatogenesis. We hope to provide some clues for further exploration of the function and mechanism of PAX9, especially during palate elevation and fusion events.

Single-line-extracted pure rotational Raman lidar to measure atmospheric temperature and aerosol profiles

We have built a pure rotational Raman (PRR) lidar system that effectively detects two isolated N₂ molecule PRR line signals and elastic backscatter signals. This system enables all-day temperature profiles to be accurately obtained without calibration, according to the simple two-parameter functional relationship between the temperature and ratio of the two PRR line signals. Based on the derived temperature profiles, the aerosol backscatter and extinction profiles can be further determined strictly from one measured PRR line signal and elastic backscatter signal without additional assumptions. The two aerosol parameters and resultant lidar ratio provide strict standards for the lidar measurements of aerosol.

Autologous dermal graft combined with a modified degloving procedure for penile augmentation in young adults: a preliminary study

In order to evaluate the effect of penile enhancement, we retrospectively reviewed the data of the patients operated with autologous dermal graft implantation combined with a modified penile degloving procedure. The patients with the complaints of small penis, asking for penile augmentation, and normal erectile function were psychologically screened and enrolled. Data of follow-up visit including patient demographics, medical history, surgical procedure, patient-reported outcomes were analysed. In all, 30 eligible persons were operated. After degloving of the penis, the suspensory ligament was incised and the tunica albuginea was fixed to the proximal tunica dartos at the penile base. Then, the dermis graft was implanted on the dorsal surface of the tunica albuginea. The file of follow-up visit was available in 17 (57%) patients. The mean age was 23.7 years (19-35 years) and the mean follow-up was 13 months (range, 4-24 months). During the follow-up period, the average gain in the penis length was 2.7 cm in flaccid and 0.8 cm in erection, respectively. And the average gain in the penis circumference was 1.5 cm in flaccid and 1.2 cm in erection, respectively. Also, psychosexual sexual self-esteem and confidence of the patients were significantly improved (p < 0.001). Overall, 13 (76%) patients reported satisfaction with the penile appearance. We believe that the surgery is both safe and effective in the enhancement of the penis, however, further clinical studies with a larger patient population are necessary.

Eosinophils are necessary for pulmonary arterial remodeling in a mouse model of eosinophilic inflammation-induced pulmonary hypertension

There is increasing evidence that inflammation plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of some forms of pulmonary hypertension (PH). We recently demonstrated that deficiency of adiponectin (APN) in a mouse model of PH induced by eosinophilic inflammation increases pulmonary arterial remodeling, pulmonary pressures, and the accumulation of eosinophils in the lung. Based on these data, we hypothesized that APN deficiency exacerbates PH indirectly by increasing eosinophil recruitment. Herein, we examined the role of eosinophils in the development of inflammation-induced PH. Elimination of eosinophils in APN-deficient mice by treatment with anti-interleukin-5 antibody attenuated pulmonary arterial muscularization and PH. In addition, we observed that transgenic mice that are devoid of eosinophils also do not develop pulmonary arterial muscularization in eosinophilic inflammation-induced PH. To investigate the mechanism by which APN deficiency increased eosinophil accumulation in response to an allergic inflammatory stimulus, we measured expression levels of the eosinophil-specific chemokines in alveolar macrophages isolated from the lungs of mice with eosinophilic inflammation-induced PH. In these experiments, the levels of CCL11 and CCL24 were higher in macrophages isolated from APN-deficient mice than in macrophages from wild-type mice. Finally, we demonstrate that the extracts of eosinophil granules promoted the proliferation of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells in vitro. These data suggest that APN deficiency may exacerbate PH, in part, by increasing eosinophil recruitment into the lung and that eosinophils could play an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammation-induced PH. These results may have implications for the pathogenesis and treatment of PH caused by vascular inflammation.

Mechanism of regulating the expression of lambdaN gene by ribosomal protein at translational level

In ribosomal protein S12 mutant or L24 mutant the expression of lambdaN gene was depressed at translational level. To study its mechanism the lambdaN gene region of lambdaN -lacZ gene fusion was trimmed from its 5' end to 3' end with DNA exonuclease III (DNA exoIII) in order to alter the TIR (translational initiation region) and the coding region of lambdaN gene. After DNA sequencing 23 species of different lambdaN-lacZ fused genes were obtained. The beta-galactosidase activities of these deletants in ribosomal protein mutant were compared with that in wild type strain. The result indicated that (i) S12 mutant could affect 305 subunit's binding to the TIR of lambdaN gene messenger and cause the difficulty in forming 30s initiation complex and then decrease the efficiency of translational initiation; (ii) in S12 mutant the coding region of lambdaN gene also affected the expression lambdaN gene; (iii) in L24 mutant the inhibition of lambdaN gene expression was not related to translational initiation and the 5' end of the coding region of lambdaN gene, but related to the 3' end of lambdaN gene.

Mutations in the Bacillus subtilis purine repressor that perturb PRPP effector function in vitro and in vivo

The Bacillus subtilis pur operon repressor (PurR) has a PRPP (5-phosphoribosyl 1-pyrophosphate) binding motif at residues 199-211. Two PurR PRPP binding region mutations (D203A and D204A) were constructed, and the effects on binding of repressor to the pur operon control site in vitro and on regulation of pur operon expression in vivo were investigated. PRPP significantly inhibited the binding of wild-type but not mutant PurR to pur operon control site DNA. In strains with the D203A and D204A mutations, pur operon expression in vivo was super-repressed by addition of adenine to the growth medium. These results support the role of PRPP in modulating the regulatory function of PurR in vivo. YabJ, the product of the distal gene in the bicistronic purR operon, is also required for PurR function in vivo.

[Mutation induced by space conditions in Escherichia coli strains]

To study the mutagenesis of microorganism under space conditions, three Escherichia coli strains CSH108, A2 and A3, were flown on board the Chinese recoverable satellite (JB1 - B9611020) in Oct . 1996. Three ways of sample boarding were designed . After recovery, survival and frequency of lacI- mutation and Arg+ reversion were determined in the flight strains. The results showed that: E. coli strains could survive after the flight conditions. The lacI- mutation frequency of A3 strain in the biocabin was sixty - seven times that of the ground control, the Arg+ reversion frequency of CSH108 in the lead chamber, was ten times that of the ground control; and among the revertants the mutation frequency of non-sense suppressor increased remarkably. The results indicate that the space conditions may greatly enhance the mutation frequency of certain genes in the microorganism and may provide an effective method for microorganism breeding.

A novel photosensitizer, 2-butylamino-2-demethoxy-hypocrellin A (2-BA-2-DMHA). 1. Synthesis of 2-BA-2-DMHA and its phototoxicity to MGC803 cells

The reaction of hypocrellin A (HA) with n-butylamine in pyridine under reflux leads to the formation of 2-butylamino-2-demethoxy-hypocrellin A (2-BA-2-DMHA), which is illustrated by ultraviolet-visible absorption spectra, proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, infrared spectra and mass spectra. The product exhibits stronger red-light absorption and has a much higher photopotentiation factor than HA (i.e., more than 200 versus four at a dose of 4 J cm-2 of red light on human gastric adenocarcinoma MGC803 cells). The mechanism of phototoxicity of 2-BA-2-DMHA on MGC803 cells irradiated with red light (lamada = 600-700 nm) has also been studied. An examination of extracted cellular DNA by agarose gel electrophoresis shows that the DNA has degraded into fragments with lengths which are multiples of approximately 180-190 base pairs (i.e., oligonucleosome size), a biochemical marker of apoptosis. Transmission electron microscopy reveals chromatin condensation around the periphery of the nucleus, which is also characteristic of apoptosis. This study suggests that 2-BA-2-DMHA is a potential photosensitizer and that its photoxicity to MGC803 cells proceeds via apoptosis.

The deltoid muscle origin. Histologic characteristics and effects of subacromial decompression

The histologic characteristics of the deltoid muscle attachment to nine cadaveric acromia were studied using light microscopy. The deltoid muscle attaches to the anterior and lateral acromion primarily by direct tendinous attachment. The muscle attaches to the dorsal side of the acromion by periosteal fiber attachment. In the specimens studied, a hypothetical acromioplasty of 4 mm would release, on average, 41% of the direct fiber attachment, and a 6-mm acromioplasty would release 69% for all zones examined histologically. The functional and clinical effects of these findings are not known, but the deltoid muscle would be released by arthroscopic acromioplasty in areas where bone is removed.

[Minor saponins from leaves of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer]

Five compounds were isolated from the leaves of Panax ginseng and characterized as 20(R)-protopanaxatriol, daucosterine, ginsenoside-F2, ginsenoside-F3 and majoroside-F4 on the basis of spectral analysis and chemical evidence. Among them, majoroside-F4 is obtained from plant for the first time.

[Obesity-hypoventilation syndrome]

5 cases with obesity-hypoventilaion syndrome were reported. The clinical manifestations were obesity, palpitation, dyspnea, lethargy, cyanosis, distention of cervical vein, edema, enlargement of liver and hypertension. All of them were initially diagnosed as chronic bronchitis or heart diseases. Pulmonary function test showed restrictive ventilative defect and hypercapnia with hypoxemia. Mouth oclusion pressure at 0.1 second was higher than the normal value. The response to CO2 was decreased. Hypertrophy of right heart was shown in ECG and X-ray film improvement in symptoms and blood gases analyses were found to be associated with body weight decrease in a follow up period of one year.

Identification of the Bacillus subtilis pur operon repressor

Transcription of the Bacillus subtilis pur operon is repressed in response to a signal of excess adenine. We have purified the repressor protein and have identified, cloned, and overexpressed the purR regulatory gene that controls transcription initiation of the operon. B. subtilis purR encodes a 62-kDa homodimer that binds to the pur operon control region. The PurR binding site which overlaps the promoter encompasses approximately 110 bp. The protein-DNA interaction is inhibited by 5-phosphoribosyl 1-pyrophosphate. A mutation that deletes the repressor binding site or one that disrupts purR abolishes binding activity in vitro and repression of transcription in vivo in response to the excess adenine signal. These results lead to a model in which an excess-adenine signal is transmitted to PurR via the 5-phosphoribosyl 1-pyrophosphate pool. In addition, purR is autoregulated. There is no structural or mechanistic similarity between the B. subtilis and Escherichia coli purine repressors.

Effect of genetic dilution on development of diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance and in vitro glucose oxidation in LA/N-cp × SHR/N-cp F1 hybrid rats

1. To determine the effects of gene dilution on development of IGT, NIDDM and in vitro glucose oxidation, heterozygous lean LA/N-cp female and SHR/N-cp male rats were mated, and F1 offspring studied at periodic intervals to determine the prevalence of obese and diabetic traits. 2. Obesity occurred in 25% of offspring by 5 weeks of age, consistent with inheritance of the autosomal recessive cp trait. 3. IGT occurred in all obese male F1, 67% of obese female F1, and 18% of the lean male F1 rats by 5 months of age, and diabetes occurred in 80% of male obese and 17% of female obese rats from 6 months of age. Glycosuria occurred with glucose intolerance, and was more severe in rats with NIDDM than IGT. 4. Rates of in vitro glucose oxidation were greater in diaphragm and adipose tissue, and were greater in the presence of insulin (100 mu Units/ml) in obese female but not obese male F1 rats. 5. These results indicate that the development of glucose intolerance is more prominent in male than in female F1 rats, that the progression of IGT to NIDDM occurs later in life in the F1 hybrid than in the SHR/N-cp strain from which the diabetic trait was transmitted, and that genetic dilution of the diabetic trait via hybrid breeding results in a delay in the expression of NIDDM which is chronologically more similar to that which occurs in man.

Purification, characterization and comparison of two non-haem bromoperoxidases from Streptomyces aureofaciens ATCC 10762

Two non-haem bromoperoxidases (BPO 1 and BPO 2) were purified from the 7-chlorotetracycline-producing strain Streptomyces aureofaciens ATCC 10762. Both enzymes showed azide-insensitive brominating activity, and bromide-dependent peroxidase activity. BPO 1 was a dimer (Mr 65,000) with subunits of identical size (Mr 31,000). The pI was estimated to be 4.5. The enzyme did not cross-react with antibodies raised against the non-haem bromoperoxidase (Mr 90,000) from S. aureofaciens Tü24, a strain that also produces 7-chlorotetracycline. The Mr of BPO 2 was estimated to be 90,000. The enzyme had three identical subunits (Mr 31,000), and its isoelectric point was 3.5, identical with that of the bromoperoxidase from S. aureofaciens Tü24. Moreover, BPO 2 was immunologically identical with the bromoperoxidase from S. aureofaciens Tü24, although both it and BPO 1 could be distinguished electrophoretically from the latter bromoperoxidase.

Nucleotide sequence of Escherichia coli pyrG encoding CTP synthetase

The amino acid sequence of Escherichia coli CTP synthetase was derived from the nucleotide sequence of pyrG. The derived amino acid sequence, confirmed at the N terminus by protein sequencing, predicts a subunit of 544 amino acids having a calculated Mr of 60,300 after removal of the initiator methionine. A glutamine amide transfer domain was identified which extends from approximately amino acid residue 300 to the C terminus of the molecule. The CTP synthetase glutamine amide transfer domain contains three conserved regions similar to those in GMP synthetase, anthranilate synthase, p-aminobenzoate synthase, and carbamoyl-P synthetase. The CTP synthetase structure supports a model for gene fusion of a trpG-related glutamine amide transfer domain to a primitive NH3-dependent CTP synthetase. The major 5' end of pyrG mRNA was localized to a position approximately 48 base pairs upstream of the translation initiation codon. Translation of the gene eno, encoding enolase, is initiated 89 base pairs downstream of pyrG. The pyrG-eno junction is characterized by multiple mRNA species which are ascribed to monocistronic pyrG and/or eno mRNAs and a pyrG eno polycistronic mRNA.