Engineering disease-resistant plants with alternative translation efficiency by switching uORF types through CRISPR

Engineering disease-resistant plants can be a powerful solution to the issue of food security. However, it requires addressing two fundamental questions: what genes to express and how to control their expressions. To find a solution, we screen CRISPR-edited upstream open reading frame (uORF) variants in rice, aiming to optimize translational control of disease-related genes. By switching uORF types of the 5'-leader from Arabidopsis TBF1, we modulate the ribosome accessibility to the downstream firefly luciferase. We assume that by switching uORF types using CRISPR, we could generate uORF variants with alternative translation efficiency (CRISPR-aTrE-uORF). These variants, capable of boosting translation for resistance-associated genes and dampening it for susceptible ones, can help pinpoint previously unidentified genes with optimal expression levels. To test the assumption, we screened edited uORF variants and found that enhanced translational suppression of the plastic glutamine synthetase 2 can provide broad-spectrum disease resistance in rice with minimal fitness costs. This strategy, which involves modifying uORFs from none to some, or from some to none or different ones, demonstrates how translational agriculture can speed up the development of disease-resistant crops. This is vital for tackling the food security challenges we face due to growing populations and changing climates.

RNAirport: a deep neural network-based database characterizing representative gene models in plants

A 5'-leader, known initially as the 5'-untranslated region, contains multiple isoforms due to alternative splicings (aS) and transcription start sites (aTSS). Therefore, a representative 5'-leader is demanded to examine the embedded RNA regulatory elements in controlling translation efficiency. Here, we develop a ranking algorithm and a deep-learning model to annotate representative 5'-leaders for five plant species. We rank the intra- and inter-sample frequency of aS-mediated transcript isoforms using the Kruskal-Wallis test-based algorithm and identify the representative aS-5'-leader. To further assign a representative 5'-end, we train the deep-learning model 5'leaderP to learn aTSS-mediated 5'-end distribution patterns from cap-analysis gene expression (CAGE) data. The model accurately predicts the 5'-end, confirmed experimentally in Arabidopsis and rice. The representative 5'-leader-contained gene models and 5'leaderP can be accessed at RNAirport (http://www.rnairport.com/leader5P/). This stage 1 5'-leader annotation records 5'-leader diversity and will pave the way to Ribo-Seq ORF annotation, identical to the project recently initiated by human GENCODE.

[Clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes in pediatric progressive restrictive strabismus]

Objective: To investigate the clinical features, imaging manifestations, histopathological characteristics, and surgical outcomes in pediatric progressive restrictive strabismus. Methods: A retrospective case series study was conducted, including data from 9 cases (9 eyes) of pediatric progressive restrictive strabismus treated at Tianjin Eye Hospital from June 2017 to October 2022. The study compared the degree of globe protrusion in both eyes, changes in eyelid fissure height during internal and external rotation in the primary gaze, summarized clinical characteristics, and analyzed intraoperative conditions, surgical outcomes and postoperative histopathological results of strabismus correction surgery. Statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Friedman two-way analysis of variance. Results: All 9 cases involved unilateral onset, with 4 males and 5 females. Three cases affected the right eye, and six affected the left eye. Onset age ranged from 2 to 40 months. The degree of globe protrusion in the affected eyes was 13.00 (12.00, 13.00) mm for the right eye and 12.00 (12.00, 13.50) mm for the left eye, with no statistically significant difference (Z=-1.00, P=0.317). There were no significant changes in eyelid fissure height during internal rotation [8.00 (7.25, 8.00) mm], primary gaze [7.50 (7.00, 8.00) mm], and external rotation [8.00 (7.75, 8.00) mm] in the affected eyes (χ²=1.00, P=0.607). No apparent abnormalities were observed in head CT or MRI scans, serum, or immunological tests. However, orbital CT or MRI scans indicated thickening of different extraocular muscle bellies. Six out of nine cases underwent strabismus correction surgery, and postoperative examination revealed restriction in eye movement despite achieving orthophoria in the primary gaze. Tissue pathology of three cases showed increased collagen fiber proliferation in one, scattered bundles of smooth muscle fibers amid diffuse collagen fiber proliferation in another, and abnormal proliferation of striated muscle fibers with varying diameters, increased paired box (PAX)7-positive satellite cells expressing slow muscle myosin in the third case. Conclusions: Pediatric progressive restrictive strabismus presents with restrictive changes, without significant alterations in globe protrusion and eyelid fissure height. Imaging examinations reveal thickening of the extraocular muscle bellies in the affected eye. Although strabismus correction surgery improves eye position, postoperative eye movement remains restricted. Histopathological findings in some cases show abnormal proliferation of skeletal muscle fibers or collagen fibers.

ECT9 condensates with ECT1 and regulates plant immunity

Mounting an efficient defense against pathogens requires RNA binding proteins (RBPs) to regulate immune mRNAs transcription, splicing, export, translation, storage, and degradation. RBPs often have multiple family members, raising the question of how they coordinate to carry out diverse cellular functions. In this study, we demonstrate that EVOLUTIONARILY CONSERVED C-TERMINAL REGION 9 (ECT9), a member of the YTH protein family in Arabidopsis, can condensate with its homolog ECT1 to control immune responses. Among the 13 YTH family members screened, only ECT9 can form condensates that decrease after salicylic acid (SA) treatment. While ECT1 alone cannot form condensates, it can be recruited to ECT9 condensates in vivo and in vitro. Notably, the ect1/9 double mutant, but not the single mutant, exhibits heightened immune responses to the avirulent pathogen. Our findings suggest that co-condensation is a mechanism by which RBP family members confer redundant functions.

Plant HEM1 specifies a condensation domain to control immune gene translation

Translational reprogramming is a fundamental layer of immune regulation, but how such a global regulatory mechanism operates remains largely unknown. Here we perform a genetic screen and identify Arabidopsis HEM1 as a global translational regulator of plant immunity. The loss of HEM1 causes exaggerated cell death to restrict bacterial growth during effector-triggered immunity (ETI). By improving ribosome footprinting, we reveal that the hem1 mutant increases the translation efficiency of pro-death immune genes. We show that HEM1 contains a plant-specific low-complexity domain (LCD) absent from animal homologues. This LCD endows HEM1 with the capability of phase separation in vitro and in vivo. During ETI, HEM1 interacts and condensates with the translation machinery; this activity is promoted by the LCD. CRISPR removal of this LCD causes more ETI cell death. Our results suggest that HEM1 condensation constitutes a brake mechanism of immune activation by controlling the tissue health and disease resistance trade-off during ETI.

[Longitudinal correlation between cell phone use and sleep quality in college students]

Objective: To investigate the current situation of cell phone use and sleep quality among college students, establish a sleep quality trajectory model and explore the influence of cell phone use on the sleep quality trajectory. Methods: Based on data from the College Student Behavior and Health Cohort Study 2019-2020, a latent class growth modeling was used to establish a sleep quality trajectory model among college students. The baseline influencing factors of sleep quality trajectories among college students were analyzed by χ² test, and the effects of cell phone use on sleep quality trajectories were analyzed by binary logistic regression. Results: A total of 1 092 college students were included in the analysis. The detection rates of cell phone use and poor sleep quality were 24.5% and 13.3%. Latent class growth model identified two groups of sleep quality trend trajactories: an improved sleep quality group (86.0%) and a decreased sleep quality group (14.0%). The result of binary logistic regression showed that the cell phone use was a risk factor of sleep quality trajectories. Conclusion: The cell phone use during college period could increase the risk of poor sleep quality. Targeted intervention measures about cell phone use should be adopted to improve the sleep quality among college students.

The soybean TGA transcription factor GmTGA13 plays important roles in the response to salinity stress

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is an important oil, food and economic crop in the world. High salinity severely affects the growth and yield of soybean. Overexpressing a specific anti-retroviral transcription factor by biotechnology is an effective way to cultivate new stress-tolerant varieties of soybean. TGA transcription factor is a subfamily of bZIP and plays an important role in abiotic stress responses. A TGA subfamily gene GmTGA13 was cloned and the gene expression, subcellular localization and transcriptional activity were measured. Through the Ag. tumefaciens mediated flower dip method and the Ag. rhizogenes mediated transformation of soybean hairy roots, the transgenic Arabidopsis and the 'combination' soybean plants of overexpressing GmTGA13 were obtained. The two types of transgenic plants were treated with salt stress respectively, and the related physiological indexes were determined. Furthermore, the expression levels of five abiotic stress responsive genes were analyzed in GmTGA13 overexpression hairy roots. GmTGA13 gene was highly expressed in roots and significantly induced by saline stress in soybean. GmTGA13 encoded a nuclear localization protein and had transcriptional activation activity. Overexpression of GmTGA13 enhanced the saline stress tolerance of transgenic Arabidopsis and the 'combination' soybean plants. Furthermore, overexpression of GmTGA13 enhanced the expression of the stress responsive genes in transgenic soybean hairy roots. In conclusion, overexpression of GmTGA13 is beneficial to the absorption of K+ and Ca2+ by the cell, thereby regulating the ion homeostasis in the cell balance. GmTGA13 enhanced salt resistance of plants by regulating the expression of many stress-responsive genes.

Interface effects of Schottky devices built from MoS2and high work function metals

Schottky junctions, formed by high work function metals and semiconductors, are important devices in electronics and optoelectronics. The metal deposition in traditional Schottky interfaces usually damages the semiconductor surface and causes defect states, which reduces the Schottky barrier height and device performance. This can be avoided in the atomically smooth interface formed by two-dimensional (2D) metals and semiconductors. For better interface tailoring engineering, it is particularly important to understand various interface effects in such 2D Schottky devices under critical or boundary conditions. Here we report the fabrication and testing of three types of MoS₂devices, i.e., using PtTe₂, Cr and Au as contact materials. While the Cr/MoS₂contact is an ohmic contact, the other two are Schottky contacts. The van-der-Waals interface of PtTe₂-MoS₂results in a well-defined OFF state and a significant rectification ratio of 10⁴. This parameter, together with an ideality factor 2.1, outperforms the device based on evaporated Au. Moreover, a device in the intermediate condition is also presented. An abrupt increase in the reverse current is observed and understood based on the enhanced tunneling current. Our work manifests the essential role of doping concentration and provides another example for 2D Schottky interface design.

uORFlight: a vehicle toward uORF-mediated translational regulation mechanisms in eukaryotes

Upstream open reading frames (uORFs) are prevalent in eukaryotic mRNAs. They act as a translational control element for precisely tuning the expression of the downstream major open reading frame (mORF). uORF variation has been clearly associated with several human diseases. In contrast, natural uORF variants in plants have not ever been identified or linked with any phenotypic changes. The paucity of such evidence encouraged us to generate this database-uORFlight (http://uorflight.whu.edu.cn). It facilitates the exploration of uORF variation among different splicing models of Arabidopsis and rice genes. Most importantly, users can evaluate uORF frequency among different accessions at the population scale and find out the causal single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) or insertion/deletion (INDEL), which can be associated with phenotypic variation through database mining or simple experiments. Such information will help to make hypothesis of uORF function in plant development or adaption to changing environments on the basis of the cognate mORF function. This database also curates plant uORF relevant literature into distinct groups. To be broadly interesting, our database expands uORF annotation into more species of fungus (Botrytis cinerea and Saccharomyces cerevisiae), plant (Brassica napus, Glycine max, Gossypium raimondii, Medicago truncatula, Solanum lycopersicum, Solanum tuberosum, Triticum aestivum and Zea mays), metazoan (Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster) and vertebrate (Homo sapiens, Mus musculus and Danio rerio). Therefore, uORFlight will light up the runway toward how uORF genetic variation determines phenotypic diversity and advance our understanding of translational control mechanisms in eukaryotes.

Paternal exposure to arsenic resulted in oxidative stress, autophagy, and mitochondrial impairments in the HPG axis of pubertal male offspring

Despite the knowledge of AS-induced reprotoxicity, the literature concerning arsenic trioxide (As₂O₃)-induced oxidative stress and consequent intracellular events, like autophagy process, in the hypothalamic-pituitary- gonadal (HPG) axis of F1- pubertal male mice is sparse to date. Hence, we made an attempt to study the reproductive toxicities and the underlying mechanisms induced by As₂O₃ in the HPG axis of pubertal F1- male mice in correlation with oxidative stress-induced autophagy. Parental mice were challenged with As₂O₃ (0, 0.2, 2, and 20 ppm) from five weeks before mating, and continued till puberty age for the male pups. It was recorded that higher As₂O₃ doses (2 and 20 ppm) were a potent inducer of oxidative stress and autophagy in the HPG axis. Concomitant with a decrease on mean body weight, total antioxidant capacity, and stereology indices, an increase in the number of MDC-labeled autophagic vacuoles, and MDA/GSH ratio in HPG axis of pubertal F1- male mice which were exposed to higher As₂O₃ doses was observed. Meanwhile, concomitant with a dose-dependent increment in the gene expression of ATG3, ATG5, Beclin, as well as protein expression of P62, ATG12, and Beclin in HPG axis tissues; a dose-dependent decrease in PI3K and mTOR gene expression was recorded in the HPG tissues of pubertal F₁-males. Altogether, our observations suggest that higher doses of As₂O₃ have detrimental effects on the functionality of HPG axis in pubertal male mice offspring by increasing MDA/GSH ratio and autophagic cell death-related genes and proteins, as well as by reducing total antioxidant capacity.

Cortical thinning in epilepsy patients with postictal generalized electroencephalography suppression

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The aim was to investigate the brain microstructural abnormalities in epilepsy patients with postictal generalized electroencephalographic suppression (PGES) using a cortical surface-based analysis.

METHODS

According to the video-electroencephalography records of epilepsy patients with generalized convulsive seizures, 30 patients with PGES (PGES+) and 21 patients without PGES (PGES-) were recruited. High-resolution T1-weighted images were acquired from each patient and 30 matched healthy control subjects. Cortical thickness was compared amongst the three groups using FreeSurfer software.

RESULTS

Patients with PGES showed reduced cortical thickness in the right paracentral lobule, inferior parietal lobule, supramarginal gyrus and middle temporal lobe compared with patients without PGES. In relation to healthy control subjects, the PGES+ group presented reduced cortical thickness in the right superior parietal lobule and supramarginal gyrus, whilst the PGES- group presented reduced cortical thickness in the left precuneus, precentral gyrus, lateral occipital gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus, superior parietal lobule and right caudal middle frontal gyrus.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with PGES exhibited characteristic brain microstructural abnormalities, corroborating the PGES mechanisms at the brain level. The right-sided predominance of the detected PGES-related cortical thinning was the same as that of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) cases and patients at high risk for SUDEP, implying that PGES and SUDEP may share a common abnormal brain substrate that is involved in the pathophysiology of these conditions.

[Screening on serum biomarkers in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients by proteomics technology]

Objective: Applying the proteomics technology to identify proteins differentially in serums of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients and normal population. Methods: The study included serum samples from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis group and normal controlled group with 30 cases of each, from the Second Hospital of Shandong University, between October 2014 and October 2015. Proteins differentially expressed in serums were quantified by the isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantization coupled with two-dimensional liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry technology. The proteins were analyzed in terms of molecular function, cell location and biological processes for showing the key protein molecules which were related to the development of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Results: A total of 490 kinds of proteins (with confidence coefficient above 95%) were identified by mass spectrometry and 25 kinds of differentially expressed proteins were found. Compared with the control group, we found 4 types of up-regulated proteins and 21 down-regulated ones in the serum of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients. Data from the Gene ontology analysis showed that most differentially expressed proteins were in the extracellular region (92%) while pathway enrichment analysis showed that most proteins were involved in the complement and coagulation cascade pathway. Conclusion: Proteins related to the complement system coagulation cascade pathway, and the proteins function need to be further studied.

Perilesional and contralateral white matter evolution and integrity in patients with periventricular nodular heterotopia and epilepsy: a longitudinal diffusion tensor imaging study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

This study aimed to assess the evolution of perinodular and contralateral white matter abnormalities in patients with periventricular nodular heterotopia (PNH) and epilepsy.

METHODS

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) (64 directions) and 3 T structural magnetic resonance imaging were performed in 29 PNH patients (mean age 27.3 years), and 16 patients underwent a second scan (average time between the two scans 1.1 years). Fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity were measured within the perilesional and contralateral white matter.

RESULTS

Longitudinal analysis showed that white matter located 10 mm from the focal nodule displayed characteristics intermediate to tissue 5 mm away, and normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) also established evolution profiles of perinodular white matter in different cortical lobes. Compared to 29 age- and sex-matched healthy controls, significant decreased fractional anisotropy and elevated mean diffusivity values were observed in regions 5 and 10 mm from nodules (P < 0.01), whilst DTI metrics of the remaining NAWM did not differ significantly from controls. Additionally, normal DTI metrics were shown in the contralateral region in patients with unilateral PNH.

CONCLUSIONS

Periventricular nodular heterotopia is associated with microstructural abnormalities within the perilesional white matter and the extent decreases with increasing distance from the nodule. In the homologous contralateral region, white matter diffusion metrics were unchanged in unilateral PNH. These findings have clinical implications with respect to the medical and surgical interventions of PNH-related epilepsy.

Maternal fluoride exposure during gestation and lactation decreased learning and memory ability, and glutamate receptor mRNA expressions of mouse pups

Previous investigations demonstrated that high fluoride (F) exposure may adversely affect the neurodevelopment and learning and memory ability. However, whether maternal F exposure during gestation and lactation can influence the learning, memory ability, and glutamate receptor expressions of offspring has not yet been elucidated. Hence, in the present study, maternal mice were exposed to F (25, 50, or 100 mg/L sodium fluoride (NaF) in drinking water) during gestation and lactation. Results showed that exposure to 100 mg/L NaF significantly enhanced the number of total arm entries and working memory errors of offspring in the radial arm maze test compared to the control group. However, no difference was observed in open-field behaviors. For the subtypes of glutamate receptors in hippocampus, expression of GluR2 mRNA was significantly reduced by 25, 50, and 100 mg/L NaF. Besides, F exposure also suppressed the expression of NR2A, NR2B, and mGluR2 mRNA levels in a dose-dependent manner, where NR2A was significantly suppressed by 50 mg/L NaF and NR2B and mGluR2 by 100 mg/L NaF. However, no significant changes were observed in GluR1 and mGluR5 mRNA expression levels. Collectively, these findings suggested that F can pass through the cord blood and breast milk and may have deleterious impact on learning and memory of the mouse pups, which was mediated by reduced mRNA expression of glutamate receptor subunits.

Protective effects of fraction 4a of polysaccharides isolated from Lycium barbarum against KBrO3-induced renal damage in rats

LBP-4a exhibits protective effects on KBrO₃-induced renal damage, and the mechanism correlates with the increase of oxidation resistance in renal cells.

Synthesis and Surface/Interfacial Properties of Novel Dialkyl Disulfonate Gemini Surfactants Derived from 1,3,5-triazine

A series of novel dialkyl disulfonate Gemini surfactants (Cn-GSBS, n = 8, 12, 14, 16, n is the carbon number of the hydrophobic chain) was synthesized from cyanuric chloride, aliphatic amine, ethylenediamine, N,N'-dimethyl-1,3-propyldiamine and sodium 2-chloroethanesulfonate. The chemical structures of the prepared compounds were confirmed by FT-IR and 1H NMR. The critical micelle concentrations (CMC) in aqueous solutions at 25°C were determined by surface tension method. The CMC value decreased with increasing length of the carbon chain. The CMC reached a minimum as low as 5 × 10−5 mol · L−1 for C16-GSBS. The interfacial tensions (IFT) between Daqing crude oil and Cn-GSBS surfactant solutions were also measured. The effects of the concentration of Na2CO3, the concentration and carbon chain length of Cn-GSBS on the IFT of crude oil-water were investigated in detail. The results show that, for the aqueous surfactant system containing the weak base Na2CO3, oil-water interfacial tension can be reduced to 10−2 mN m−1 orders of magnitude. The results also indicate that with the increase of surfactant concentration and the chain length, the oil-water interfacial tension decreased markedly, which indicates that Cn-GSBS surfactants have a good interface activity. These surfactants are good candidates for weak base-surfactant-polymer EOR process.

Up-regulation of Anxa2 gene promotes proliferation and invasion of breast cancer MCF-7 cells

OBJECTIVE

The metastatic ability of breast cancer cells with chemoresistant properties is higher when compared to that of their parental wild-type cells. Expression of AnnexinA2 (Anxa2), a 36-kDa calcium-dependent phospholipid binding protein, is increased in metastatic tumours and has been found to be associated with the phenotype of drug resistance and metastasis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS AND RESULTS

In the present study, we found that up-regulation of Anxa2 correlates with enhanced migration and invasion ability of MCF-7 breast cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. Western blot analysis revealed that exposure to chemotherapeutic drugs may induce elevated expression of Anxa2. In addition, our data have shown that Anxa2 might influence proliferation, migration and invasion of MCF-7 cells by increasing expression of c-myc and cyclin D1 via activation of Erk1/2 signalling pathways.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that up-regulation of Anxa2 may play an important role in modulating proliferation and invasion of breast cancer MCF-7 cells through regulation of many relevant downstream target genes.

Adjuvant lipiodol I-131 after curative resection/ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM

A total of 329 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma have been treated at our unit since 1990. Following the randomized controlled trial in Hong Kong by Lau et al. in 1999, patients have been offered adjuvant lipiodol I-131. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of adjuvant lipiodol I-131, following potentially curative surgery with resection and/or ablation, on overall and disease-free survival rates.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The prospectively updated hepatocellular carcinoma database was analysed retrospectively. A total of 34 patients were identified to have received adjuvant lipiodol I-131 post-curative treatment with surgical resection and/or ablation. Patient demographics, clinical, surgical, pathology, and survival data were collected and analysed.

RESULTS

Three patients received ablation alone, 24 resection, and 7 resection and ablation. Of the 34 patients treated, there were 2 possible cases of treatment-related fatality (pneumonitis and liver failure). Potential prognostic factors studied for effect on survival included age, gender, serum AFP concentration, Child-Pugh score, cirrhosis, tumor size, portal vein tumor thrombus, tumor rupture, and vascular and margin involvement. The median follow-up duration was 23.3 months. The overall median survival was 40.1 months, while the overall survival rates at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years were 87.1%, 71.7%, 60.7%, and 49.6%, respectively. Median duration to recurrence was 22.3 months.

CONCLUSION

Administration of adjuvant lipiodol I-131 is associated with good overall survival.

Expression and localization of nm23-H1 in the human placenta

The involvement of the nm23 gene, initially documented as a putative metastasis-suppressor gene, in normal development and differentiation has been supported by several investigations. To date, however, localization and expression pattern of nm23 in the human placenta has not been determined. In the present study, the expression of nm23-H1 was examined by Northern blot and immunohistochemical analyses in human placentas from various stages of gestation. In first trimester placenta, the villous cytotrophoblast and the extravillous trophoblast exhibited strong cytoplasmic staining for nm23-H1. In second trimester and term placentas, the few cytotrophoblasts present showed less intense staining than those in first trimester placenta. Northern blot analysis demonstrated a progressive decrease in nm23-H1 gene expression with advancing gestational age, which is consistent with the results obtained by immunohistochemistry. These findings suggest that nm23-H1 is involved in the differentiation process of the trophoblast, and high levels of nm23-H1 expression seem to reflect the proliferating, less differentiated state of that reserve.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) beta-core fragment is produced by degradation of hCG or free hCG beta in gestational trophoblastic tumors: a possible marker for early detection of persistent postmolar gestational trophoblastic disease

The present study was undertaken to investigate whether human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) beta-core fragment (hCG beta cf) was directly produced by gestational trophoblastic tumors. Immunoreactivity of hCG beta cf was demonstrated in the extracts as well as in the culture media of hydatidiform mole tissues. It was also present in the extracts of choriocarcinoma tissues, and its molar concentration exceeded that of intact hCG. The presence of hCG beta cf was then confirmed by gel chromatography and Western blot analysis. Immunohistochemistry showed localization of hCG beta cf immunoreactivity to the syncytiotrophoblasts and scattered cells in the stroma of mole tissue, and to syncytiotrophoblastic cells in choriocarcinoma. Immunoreactivity of hCG beta cf was also detected in the sera of the patients with gestational trophoblastic disease, although the hCG beta cf/hCG ratio was less than one hundredth of that in the tissue extracts. Serial measurement of serum hCG beta cf levels after mole evacuation showed that they declined much more rapidly than those of hCG and became undetectable in the patients with subsequent spontaneous resolution, while hCG beta cf remained or became detectable before the rise of hCG was observed in the patients with subsequent persistent trophoblastic disease. Taken together, these results suggest that hCG beta cf is directly produced by gestational trophoblastic tumors, and monitoring of hCG beta cf in the serum after mole evacuation may be useful for early prediction of subsequent development of postmolar persistent trophoblastic disease.

[Treatment of severe hepatitis with artificial liver support system and liver transplantation]

OBJECTIVE

To observe and investigate the efficacy of the hybrid artificial liver support system plus liver transplantation in the treatments of patients with severe viral hepatitis.

METHODS

Eight severe viral hepatitis patients with metaphase and advanced stage liver failure received the artificial liver support using a self-command extracorporeal hybrid artificial liver support system and orthotopic liver transplantation after the artificial support for 3-14 days.

RESULTS

The liver failure of the 8 patients was controlled by the hybrid artificial liver support effectively. All patients were successfully bridged to orthotopic liver transplantation. Four out of the eight patients survived after transplantation. Four patients died of pulmonary infection or hepatorenal syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS

Artificial liver support system combined with liver transplantation can be regarded as an efficient measure for the treatment of metaphase and advanced stage patients of severe viral hepatitis.

[Genetic analysis of 35 microsatellite loci in 5 lineages of xishuangbanna miniature pig inbred line]

The polymorphism of 35 microsatellites in 5 lineages of Xishuangbanna small-ear miniature pig inbred line (XMI) was analysed. Nmuber of alleles of each lineage was counted, and rates of homozygote for 35 microsatellite loci in 5 lineages were calculated. According to gene frequencies of 35 microsatellites polymorphism information content (PIC) and mean heterozygosity were calculated for each lineage, and genetic distances between these lineage were estimated. The dendrograms were obtained based on genetic distances. The results suggest that rates of homozygote in these lineage are all high, and that is the highest in lineage 151. The results also suggest that polymorphism information content and mean heterozygosity in all the lineages are low. Composition of alleles of each lineage was quite different and the genetic relationship between lineages accorded with the process of inbred line. So it is suggested that the inbreeding degree of 5 lineages of XMI are all high, and the richness of genetic diversity is lower than general commercial pig breeds. It also shows each lineage has been different groups with individual genes.

Human chorionic gonadotropin beta-core fragment is directly produced by cancer cells

The present study was undertaken to investigate whether hCG beta-core fragment (hCGbeta cf) was directly produced by cancer cells. Fifteen cell lines, including four choriocarcinoma and five ovarian cancer cell lines, were tested, and immunoreactivity of hCGbeta cf was present in the culture media of five of the cell lines. It was also present in the culture media of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells transfected with hCGbeta gene. In addition to hCGbeta cf, gel chromatography and Western blot analysis of the culture media showed the presence of an hCGbeta cf immunoreactive material with a molecular weight of approximately 40 kDa. In an in vivo study, hCGbeta cf immunoreactivity was detected in the sera of the mice transplanted with NaUCC-3 choriocarcinoma cells, although the ratios of hCGbeta cf/hCG and hCGbeta cf/free hCGbeta were lower than those in the culture medium. Incubation experiments of purified hCGbeta cf in the serum showed no substantial decrease in its values, ruling out the possibility that formation of a macromolecule with serum components may mask hCGbeta cf immunoreactivity in the serum. Taken together, these results indicate that hCGbeta cf immunoreactive materials are directly produced by cancer cells and hCGbeta cf is not a urinary metabolite of hCG or hCGbeta alone. Also, reduced levels of hCGbeta cf in the serum compared with that of intact hCG or free hCGbeta are likely due to its short half-life.

[Experimental study on effect of Shenmai injection in improving contractility of fatigue diaphragm in rats]

OBJECTIVE

To study and compare the effects of Shenmai Injection (SMI) and aminophylline on pathogenesis and developing process of diaphragmatic fatigue.

METHODS

SMI group, aminophylline group, SMI plus aminophylline group and control group of isolated rat's diaphragmatic muscular strip of equal length were set up, and electric stimulation was applied. Changes of related parameters in the fatigue inducing and recovery process were estimated.

RESULTS

During fatigue inducing process, the lowering on maximal rates of relaxation (dR/dtmax) was earlier than that on maximal contraction peak (Pt) and contraction rate (dT/dtmax), and restoring of these parameters were restored later and incompletely. SMI could prolong the time Pt needed for reducing 50%, speed up the restoration of Pt. Although aminophylline could increase Pt, it shortened the fatigue inducing time and postponed the recovery.

CONCLUSION

Disturbance in the function of relaxation plays important role in diaphragm fatigue induction. Through strengthening the capability to relax, SMI could improve the function of fatigue diaphragm. Aminophylline would damage the relaxation function together with the increasing contraction of diaphragm simultaneously, and this side-effect could be antagonised partly by SMI.

[Clinical controlled study of shenmai injection and aminophylline on diaphragm fatigue]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the therapeutic effect of Shenmai injection (SM) and aminophylline (AP) on diaphragm fatigue in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

METHODS

Sixty-four COPD patients with respiratory failure and diaphragm fatigue were randomly divided into 2 groups: (1) SM group (33 patients), treated with oxygen inhalation and anti-infection agents, and SM injection (SM 40 ml + 10% glucose 100 ml), (2) AP injection group (31 patients), treated with AP 0.25 g plus 10% glucose 100 ml, and the same comprehensive treatment. To investigate the initial time of diaphragm fatigue disappearance, the maintaining effect of 24 hours of drug administration, and the arterial blood gas analysis.

RESULTS

The effect in 30 min and maintaining effect in 24 hours in SM group were better than those in the AP group. In both groups, PaO2 increased and PaCO2 decreased.

CONCLUSION

The therapeutic effect of SM on COPD patients with respiratory failure and diaphragm fatigue was better than those of AP.

Quantitative analysis of matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9, and their tissue inhibitors-1 and -2 in human placenta throughout gestation

To elucidate the implication of type IV collagenases(MMP-2 and MMP-9) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2) for placental development, we quantified their levels in the conditioned media of placental organ culture and primary culture of the trophoblast as well as in the tissue extracts of placentas from different stages of gestation using specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. First trimester villous tissue secreted about 10 times more pro-MMP-2 than pro-MMP-9, and pro-MMP-2 levels dramatically decreased in the second trimester. On the other hand, pro-MMP-9 levels were more than 10 times higher than those of pro-MMP-2 in the primary culture of the first trimester trophoblast, indicating the involvement of stromal cells for prominent pro-MMP-2 secretion from first trimester villous tissue described above. Levels of TIMPs, especially those of TIMP-2, remained constant throughout gestation both in the culture media and tissue extracts. Gelatin zymography revealed abundant secretion of the active form of MMP-2 as well as pro-MMP-2 from first trimester villous tissue. Western immunoblot analysis confirmed the presence of both TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in placental tissue. These results suggest that active secretion of MMP-2 from villous tissue in the first trimester and constant production of TIMPs throughout gestation are characteristic of placental development.

[Investigation of the application of electrical impedance principle for the diagnosis of diaphragm fatigue]

We designed and performed the chest and abdomen impedance respirograph (IRG), which included the one dimentional IRG and the two dimentional IRG, by applying the principle of bioelectrical impedance. Using IRG, we measured the non-synchronized chest and abdomen respiratory motions occurring in the diaphragmatic fatigue. The results showed that all 203 normal control subjects showed synchronized pattern of chest and abdomen respiratory motions. In 189 COPD patients 117 (61.9%) showed non-synchronized respiratory motions which could be further divided into three types: type I showed complete contradirectional movements of respiration, M > 24% and alpha angle > 120 degrees; type II showed staggered peak of the chest and abdomen motion curves, 13% < M < 24%, 50 degrees < alpha angle < 120 degrees; type III showed double peaks in the one dimentional IRG and 8-shaped double circles in the two dimentional IRG, M < 13%, alpha angle > 40 degrees. When compared with Pdi and diaphragm myoelectricity frequency spectrum the rates of accordance were 81.8% and 90%, respectivity, suggesting that IRG could be reliably used to diagnose diaphragmatic fatigue. This technique is simple, easy, cheap and non-invasive. It is, therefore, worth to be widely recommanded for clinical investigation.

[The effects of hypoxia on nitric oxide synthase activity and mRNA expression of pulmonary artery endothelial cells in pigs]

The aim of the study is to investigate whether hypoxia might affect nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity or mRNA expression of cultured pulmonary artery endothelial cells in pigs by means of NADPH-diaphorase cytochemical stain and DNA-RNA dot blot hybridization respectively. The NOS activity and mRNA expression were highly present in normoxic group as well as 6 and 24 hours serum-free control groups, but significantly lowered in 6 and 24 hours hypoxic groups. The mRNA expression of NOS gene was almost absent in 48 hours hypoxic cells. The results indicate that hypoxia can attenuate the activity and mRNA expression of NOS in cultured pulmonary artery endothelial cells, which may lay an important role in modulating acute hypoxic pulmonary vasocontriction and chronic hypoxic pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Experiment study on the effect of Sheng-Mai injection on the contractivity of diaphragm and its mechanism

In this study the effect of Sheng-Mai Injection i.e. Red Ginseng-Ophiopogon Root Injection (one kind of traditional Chinese medicines) on the contractivity of diaphragm was observed. The results confirmed that Sheng-Mai Injection increased Pdi of the fatigued diaphragm in rabbits and reduced the time needed for the recovery of Pdi of fatigued diaphragm to the normal value. These results suggest that Sheng-Mai Injection can increase the contractive force and promote the recovery of the fatigued diaphragm. The effect of Sheng-Mai Injection on the contractivity of the isolated diaphragmatic bundle of rats was also observed and the results confirmed that Sheng-Mai Injection increased the diaphragmatic contractive force directly. This effect of increasing the contractive force of diaphragm was attenuated by adding calcium channel blocker isoptin and disappeared when there was no calcium in the extracellular fluid. It is deduced, therefore, that the mechanism of the effect of Sheng-mai Injection is related to the increased influx of calcium from extracellular fluid into the cells.

[Separation and purification of the toxic protein of Bacillus sphaericus Ts-1]

Bacillus sphaericus strain Ts-1 is highly insecticidal to larvae of the mosquito. It's insecticidal component is toxic proteins. The toxin was extracted from spore-crystal complexes by disruption in a Sonicator Cell Disruptor Model W-220F followed by treatment with 0.05 mol/L NaOH. Fraction recovered from chromatography of the spore-crystal complexes on column of Sephadex G-200 were assayed against mosquito larvae and the toxic fractions from gel chromatography were subjected to SDS-PAGE. The toxic proteins in B. sphaericus Ts-1 spore-crystal complex migrated in position corresponding to 42kD and 43kD. Bioassay of the two purified proteins prepared by PAGE indicated that they were all toxic to mosquito larvae. Toxic protein was further purified by DEAE-cellulose chromatography. The toxic protein with a molecular weight of 42kD was obtained.

[Action of the drug Herba Epimedii on testosterone of the mouse plasma and its accessory sexual organ before and after processing]

In this report, the traditional idea that sheep fat processed Herba Epimedii warms the kidney and thus invigorate "Yang" has been tested and verified by modern pharmacological methods. Experimental findings indicate that raw Herba Epimedii does not help improve the sexual function, while well processed Herba Epimedii produces apparent effects on the improvement of sexuality.