Multi-omics analysis reveals the influence of tetracycline on the growth of ryegrass root

Environmental factors, including antibiotics such as tetracycline, can alter biological processes in plants. To ascertain how cell/tissue response to tetracycline, a multi-omic analysis was implemented to explore the molecular mechanism of tetracycline influencing the growth of ryegrass root. Tetracycline induced extensive changes in the root metabolome in plants, particularly impacting metabolites of flavonoid metabolic pathways, which were supported through consistent differences between transcriptome and proteome. Cross-comparison between mRNA and protein contents considered the authentication of congruence with related metabolites and revealed changes of several biological processes under tetracycline stress. Overall, we present an undemanding multi-omic strategy to survey the significant influence on the root under tetracycline stress.

Dorzagliatin in drug-naïve patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial

Improving glucose sensitivity remains an unmet medical need in treating type 2 diabetes (T2D). Dorzagliatin is a dual-acting, orally bioavailable glucokinase activator that enhances glucokinase activity in a glucose-dependent manner, improves glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and demonstrates effects on glycemic control in patients with T2D. We report the findings of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of dorzagliatin in patients with T2D. Eligible drug-naïve patients with T2D (n = 463) were randomly assigned to the dorzagliatin or placebo group at a ratio of 2:1 for 24 weeks of double-blind treatment, followed by 28 weeks of open-label treatment with dorzagliatin for all patients. The primary efficacy endpoint was the change in glycated hemoglobin from baseline to week 24. Safety was assessed throughout the trial. At week 24, the least-squares mean change in glycated hemoglobin from baseline (95% confidence interval) was -1.07% (-1.19%, -0.95%) in the dorzagliatin group and -0.50% (-0.68%, -0.32%) in the placebo group (estimated treatment difference, -0.57%; 95% confidence interval: -0.79%, -0.36%; P < 0.001). The incidence of adverse events was similar between the two groups. There were no severe hypoglycemia events or drug-related serious adverse events in the dorzagliatin group. In summary, dorzagliatin improved glycemic control in drug-naïve patients with T2D and showed a good tolerability and safety profile.

A Ricin B-Like Lectin Protein Physically Interacts with TaPFT and Is Involved in Resistance to Fusarium Head Blight in Wheat

Fusarium head blight (FHB), mainly caused by Fusarium graminearum, has become one of the most serious diseases that damage wheat. The TaPFT (pore-forming toxin-like) and TaHRC (histidine-rich calcium-binding protein) genes at the quantitative trait locus Fhb1 were identified to confer resistance to FHB in the wheat cultivar Sumai 3. In this study, a wheat ricin B-like lectin gene (designated TaRBL) that interacted with TaPFT was isolated by a yeast two-hybrid screen of a wheat cDNA library. A yeast two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation study further verified that TaRBL interacted with TaPFT but not with TaHRC. Gene expression studies showed that upon F. graminearum infection, TaRBL expression was upregulated in resistant cultivars but downregulated in susceptible cultivars. Furthermore, knockdown of TaRBL expression by barley stripe mosaic virus-induced gene silencing significantly reduced the resistance of wheat to FHB in both the resistant cultivar Sumai 3 and the susceptible cultivar Jimai 22. Thus, we conclude that TaRBL encodes a ricin B-like lectin protein that interacts with TaPFT and is involved in resistance to FHB in wheat.

A rapid, simple, and highly efficient method for VIGS and in vitro-inoculation of plant virus by INABS applied to crops that develop axillary buds and can survive from cuttings

BACKGROUND

Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) is one of the most convenient and powerful methods of reverse genetics. In vitro-inoculation of plant virus is an important method for studying the interactions between viruses and plants. Agrobacterium-based infiltration has been widely adopted as a tool for VIGS and in vitro-inoculation of plant virus. Most agrobacterium-based infiltration methods applied to VIGS and virus inoculation have the characteristics of low transformation efficiencies, long plant growth time, large amounts of plant tissue, large test spaces, and complex preparation procedures. Therefore, a rapid, simple, economical, and highly efficient VIGS and virus inoculation method is in need. Previous studies have shown that the selection of suitable plant tissues and inoculation sites is the key to successful infection.

RESULTS

In this study, Tobacco rattle virus (TRV) mediated VIGS and Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) for virus inoculation were developed in tomato plants based on the agrobacterium tumefaciens-based infiltration by injection of the no-apical-bud stem section (INABS). The no-apical-bud stem section had a "Y- type" asymmetric structure and contained an axillary bud that was about 1-3 cm in length. This protocol provides high transformation (56.7%) and inoculation efficiency (68.3%), which generates VIGS transformants or diseased plants in a very short period (8 dpi). Moreover, it greatly reduces the required experimental space. This method will facilitate functional genomic studies and large-scale disease resistance screening.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, a rapid, simple, and highly efficient method for VIGS and virus inoculation by INABS was developed in tomato. It was reasonable to believe that it can be used as a reference for the other virus inoculation methods and for the application of VIGS to other crops (such as sweet potato, potato, cassava and tobacco) that develop axillary buds and can survive from cuttings.

Non-parathyroid hypercalcemia during lactation: a case report

Hypercalcemia is a clinical emergency which can cause hypercalcemic crisis and even endanger patients' lives. The increase of serum calcium concentration is caused by the redistribution of calcium in bone and the inhibition of parathyroid secretion, which is known as non-parathyroid hypercalcemia. In this report, we presented a rare case of non-parathyroid hypercalcemia during lactation in order to optimize the diagnosis and treatment of this condition. A 27-year-old female patient was admitted to Wuxi People's Hospital on July 11, 2019 due to "fatigue, anorexia, and pain in both knees for half a month". The patient had fatigue and discomfort, accompanied by pain in both knees without obvious inducement. At the same time, the patient had decreased food intake. In the past 3 days, the symptoms worsened, accompanied by limb numbness. The serum calcium level was increased and the parathyroid hormone (PTH) level was decreased. The patient was diagnosed with hypercalcemia, and was treated with calcitonin and lactation termination. The knee pain disappeared and serum calcium returned to normal during a 2-week follow-up. To conclude, the correlation between hypercalcemia and lactation needs to be considered for non-parathyroid hypercalcemia during lactation. After excluding other possible causes, lactation termination therapy may be an effective therapeutic strategy for non-parathyroid hypercalcemia caused by excessive lactation.

Clay nanosheet-mediated delivery of recombinant plasmids expressing artificial miRNAs via leaf spray to prevent infection by plant DNA viruses

Whitefly-transmitted begomoviruses are economically important plant pathogens that cause severe problems in many crop plants, such as tomato, papaya, cotton, and tobacco. Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) is a typical monopartite begomovirus that has been extensively studied, but methods that can efficiently control begomoviruses are still scarce. In this study, we combined artificial microRNA (amiRNA)-mediated silencing technology and clay nanosheet-mediated delivery by spraying and developed a method for efficiently preventing TYLCV infection in tomato plants. We designed three amiRNAs that target different regions of TYLCV to silence virus-produced transcripts. Three plant expression vectors expressing pre-amiRNAs were constructed, and recombinant plasmid DNAs (pDNAs) were loaded onto nontoxic and degradable layered double hydroxide (LDH) clay nanosheets. LDH nanosheets containing multiple pDNAs were sprayed onto plant leaves. We found that the designed amiRNAs were significantly accumulated in leaves 7 days after spraying, while the pDNAs were sustainably detected for 35 days after the spray, suggesting that the LDH nanosheets released pDNAs in a sustained manner, protected pDNAs from degradation and efficiently delivered pDNAs into plant cells. Importantly, when the LDH nanosheets coated with pDNAs were sprayed onto plants infected by TYLCV, both the disease severity and TYLCV viral concentration in sprayed plants were significantly decreased during the 35 days, while the levels of H₂O₂ were significantly increased in those plants. Taken together, these results indicate that LDH nanosheets loaded with pDNAs expressing amiRNAs can be a sustainable and promising tool for begomovirus control.

Identification of genes and proteins associated with anagen wool growth

Identifying genes of major effect for wool growth would offer strategies for improving the quality and increasing the yield of fine wool. In this study, we employed the Agilent Sheep Gene Expression Microarray and proteomic technology to investigate the gene expression patterns of body side skin (more wool growing) in Aohan fine wool sheep (a Chinese indigenous breed) in comparison with groin skin (no wool growing) at the anagen stage of the wool follicle. A microarray study revealed that 4772 probes were differentially expressed, including 2071 upregulated and 2701 downregulated probes, in the comparisons of body side skin vs. groin skin (S/G). The microarray results were verified by means of quantitative PCR. A total of 1099 probes were assigned to unique genes/transcripts. The number of distinct genes/transcripts (annotated) was 926, of which 352 were upregulated and 574 were downregulated. In S/G, 13 genes were upregulated by more than 10 fold, whereas 60 genes were downregulated by more than 10 fold. Further analysis revealed that the majority of the genes possibly related to the wool growth could be assigned to categories including regulation of cell division, intermediate filament, cytoskeletal part and growth factor activity. Several potential gene families may participate in hair growth regulation, including fibroblast growth factors, transforming growth factor-β, WNTs, insulin-like growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factors and so on. Proteomic analysis also revealed 196 differentially expressed protein points, of which 121 were identified as single protein points.

[Efficacy and safety of alogliptin in treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III clinical trial in mainland China]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of alogliptin in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

METHODS

This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III trial. A total of 491 subjects with T2DM were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive alogliptin (25 mg once daily) or placebo for 16 weeks. Among them, 181 were in the monotherapy group (group A), 186 were in the add-on to metformin group (group B), and 124 were in the add-on to pioglitazone group (group C).

RESULTS

After 16 weeks of therapy, glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels decreased in both alogliptin and placebo groups. The mean changes in HbA1c for alogliptin and placebo were 1.00% and 0.43% (P<0.001), 0.91% and 0.23% (P<0.001), and 0.76% and 0.25% (P<0.001) in group A, B and C, respectively. Compared with placebo, alogliptin treatment led to a greater decrease in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and a higher percentage of subjects who achieved HbA1c targets of ≤ 6.5% and ≤ 7.0%. The percentage of subjects who experienced all adverse events including hypoglycemia with alogliptin were comparable to those with placebo.

CONCLUSIONS

Alogliptin 25 mg once daily reduced HbA1c and FPG, and increased a greater proportion of subjects achieving HbA1c goals of ≤6.5% and ≤7.0% compared with placebo when used as a monotherapy, add-on to metformin, or add-on to pioglitazone. The hypoglycemia rates and safety profiles with alogliptin were similar to those with placebo.

Metformin attenuates palmitic acid-induced insulin resistance in L6 cells through the AMP-activated protein kinase/sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c pathway

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an important effector of metformin action on glucose uptake in skeletal muscle cells. We recently reported that metformin improved insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1)-associated insulin signaling by downregulating sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) expression. In this study, we investigated whether AMPK activation and SREBP-1c inhibition contribute to the beneficial effects of metformin on IRS-1-associated insulin signaling in L6 myotubes. L6 muscle cells were incubated with palmitic acid (PA) to induce insulin resistance and then treated with metformin and/or the AMPK inhibitor, compound C. AMPK, SREBP-1c, IRS-1 and Akt protein expression levels were determined by western blot analysis. The effects of metformin on SREBP-1c gene transcription were determined by a luciferase reporter assay. Glucose uptake was evaluated using the 2-NBDG method. In the PA-treated L6 cells, metformin treatment enhanced AMPK phosphorylation, reduced SREBP-1c expression and increased IRS-1 and Akt protein expression, whereas treatment with compound C blocked the effects of metformin on SREBP-1c expression and the IRS-1 and Akt levels. Moreover, metformin suppressed SREBP-1c promoter activity and promoted glucose uptake through AMPK. The results from this study demonstrate that metformin ameliorates PA-induced insulin resistance through the activation of AMPK and the suppression of SREBP-1c in skeletal muscle cells.

Protamine-containing insulin allergy and renal dysfunction in a patient with type 2 diabetes

An 87-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes noticed a red itchy rash at the insulin injection sites 3 weeks after initiation of premixed insulin therapy. Laboratory data at that time showed marked eosinophilia and progression of renal dysfunction. Insulin treatment was discontinued, and antidiabetic oral drugs were used, as well as intravenous injection of dexamethasone. Her skin lesions disappeared, and both eosinophilia and renal dysfunction gradually improved. The results of skin prick tests and measurement of specific immunoglobulin E antibodies suggested that the insulin allergy was caused by protamine. Although cases of insulin allergy associated with renal dysfunction are rare, we must be aware, especially for elderly patients with poor renal function in the first application of insulin.

Randomized study of repaglinide alone and in combination with metformin in Chinese subjects with type 2 diabetes naive to oral antidiabetes therapy

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this research is to determine efficacy and safety of repaglinide alone and in combination with metformin in Chinese subjects with type 2 diabetes naive to oral antidiabetes therapy.

METHODS

A 16-week, open-label, randomized, active-controlled, parallel-group trial was carried out. Subjects were randomized (1:1) to repaglinide 1 mg t.i.d. (maximum dose, 4 mg t.i.d.) or repaglinide plus metformin 1 mg/500 mg t.i.d. (maximum dose, 4 mg/500 mg t.i.d.). Eligible subjects (18 - 75 years old) had type 2 diabetes, A1C > 8.5%, BMI ≤ 35 kg/m(2), and were naive to oral antidiabetes agents.

RESULTS

The primary outcome was A1C reduction. Secondary end points included fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-h postprandial glucose (PPG), and 7-point plasma glucose. Baseline characteristics (repaglinide/metformin, n = 218; repaglinide-only, n = 214) were similar between groups. Mean A1C reduction (± SD) was 4.51 ± 1.64% (combination) and 4.05 ± 1.59% (monotherapy). Estimated mean treatment difference for repaglinide/metformin versus repaglinide-only was -0.30% (95% CI -0.49 to -0.11; p < 0.01). Combination treatment demonstrated significant improvements versus monotherapy in FPG, 7-point plasma glucose, and lunchtime and dinnertime 2-h PPG (all p < 0.05). Hypoglycemia rates were 2.04 (combination) versus 1.35 (monotherapy) events/subject-year (p = 0.058). Adverse events were comparable between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Repaglinide plus metformin and repaglinide alone provided significant improvements in glycemic control and were well tolerated in Chinese patients naive to treatment with oral antidiabetes agents. Combination therapy with repaglinide plus metformin showed superiority to repaglinide monotherapy in this population. Limitations of this study are that subjects were newly diagnosed and had high mean baseline A1C, which may affect generalizability of results.

Variable drug metabolism genes in Arab population

Cataloging interethnic differences in the distribution of genotypes of drug metabolic genes provides valuable information for profiling the pharmacogenetics of a population. We used PCR analysis to catalog the frequencies of alleles and genotypes for CYP1A1, NAT2, GSTs, MTHFR, MTR (MS) and NQO*1 in Arabs. The frequencies of alleles and/or genotypes for CYP1A1*2A, GSTT1 null, GSTT1 and GSTM1 double null, and GSTP1 A1578G in Arabs were significantly higher than those reported in Caucasians. However, the distribution of NAT2 acetylator phenotypes in both populations was similar. In contrast, the frequencies of MTHFR 677T allele and the combined (677+1298) genotypes for low activity were lower than those reported in Caucasians. Other alleles in Arabs, including CYP1A1 T3801C and GSTP1 A1578G were present in frequencies similar to Africans. The overall profile of variations in metabolism genes in Arabs is thus unique.

[A herbalogical study on traditional Mongolian medicine "lideri"]

By herbalogical study and investigation, "lideri" used by Mongolia doctors in different areas mainly contains 10 species from 4 genera of 4 families, but the quality materials only contains 3 species, Tinospora sinensis (Lour.) Merr., T. cordifolia Miers and T. capillipes Gagnep.

[Study on the role of human papillomavirus in carcinogenesis of oral papillomas by in situ hybridization]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection on carcinogenesis of oral squamous cell papillomas (SCP).

METHODS

By using digoxin labelled HPV 6/11 and HPV 16/18 probes, through hybridization in situ technique, the HPV DNA sequence in 30 cases of oral SCP were detected.

RESULTS

Among them, 16 cases (53.3%) were positive for HPV 6/11 DNA. None of cases of SCP were positive for HPV 16/18 DNA.

CONCLUSION

Our results show that the frequent finding of HPV 6/11 DNA in oral SCP had close association between oral papillomas and HPV 6/11 infection.

[A herbalogical study on traditional Mongolian medicine dakesha]

By herbological study and investigation, "Dekesha" used by Mongolia doctors mainly contains 17 species from 3 genus of 3 family, but "Dakesha" in Inner Mongolia Standard of Medicinal Materials only contains 2 species which are Oxytropis myriophylla and O. hirta.

[Quantitative 3D measurements of the skull base by using spiral volumatric CT images]

OBJECTIVE

To study the spatial relationships of mandibular condyle and carotid canal, jugular fossa, foramen ovale, foramen spinosum when mandible in normal physical position.

METHODS

100 native adults were examined by spiral volumatric CT. The data were transferred to workstation, three-dimensional(3d) cranial base images were reconstructed, 3D measurements were performed by using specific 3d CT landmarks. 12 points were defined and 28 distances and angles were measured in the skull base from submandibular viewpoint. The internal pole of condyle and the condylar long axis were regarded as the center point and 0 degree axis in the reference frame.

RESULTS

Submandibular approach provided a clear vision of the internal pole of condyle and condylar long axis. The ECC was located at 12.01 +/- 2.71 mm, 5.14 +/- 1.22 degrees, Jug was located at 15.11 +/- 2.72 mm, -56.27 +/- 14.05 degrees according to the reference frame.

CONCLUSIONS

Quantitative measurements of 3D skull base can be very precise. Mandibular approach is easy to show the mandibular condyle. The reference frame is helpful to located other important structures of skull base in operation.

[Changes in blood coagulation affected by rifampicin administration]

OBJECTIVE

To study the characteristics of influence on coagulation by rifampicin (RFP) administration.

METHODS

Seventy-three patients, ages between 10 and 65 years(mean age 30.3 years), with tuberculosis of neck lymphnode were treated with 2HRZS/10HRE. The prothrombin time, activity, fibrinogen, II: C, V: C, VII: C, IX: C and alanine aminotransferase concentration in each case were observed during the period of RFP administration.

RESULTS

The prolongation of the PT and the reduction of the PA, FIB concentration in 48 cases were observed after 5-30 days following RFP administration. These changes depended on drug dosage and duration, especially the severe influence on coagulation were detected when the RFP were reused after the ALT normalized in seventh to tenth months. The ALT was (18 +/- 12) U/L in the tenth month, but the PT was (19.2 +/- 3.9) s and the FIB was (1.8 +/- 0.5) g/L respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Not only the coagulation factors II, VII, IX, X, but also I V, VI and VIII were affected by RFP. The coagulation test is more sensitive than ALT test in the evaluation of liver injury. RFP should be stopped when FIB less than 1 g/L in spite of ALT in normal range.

Alterations in the level of phosphotyrosine signal transduction constituents in human parotid tumors

Human parotid tumors were evaluated for the activation of the phosphotyrosine signaling pathway by Western blot, enzyme activity assay, and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Warthin's tumor and mucoepidermoid carcinomas had the greatest level of tyrosine phosphorylated proteins identified in plasma membrane fractions. These tumors, along with pleomorphic adenocarcinoma, showed high levels of membrane expression of the tyrosine kinase receptor, c-erbB-2, and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase. Expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor was confined to normal tissue. The level of mRNA for c-erb was elevated only in mucoepidermoid carcinomas. Messenger RNA levels for ras were unchanged from control levels in all tumors, while the level of src mRNA was higher in the tumor samples than the normal parotid tissue. The activities of several signal transduction kinases, including protein kinase A and C were elevated in tumor tissue (7.7- to 18.9- and 0.4- to 3.7-fold higher, respectively), relative to surrounding normal tissue. While the level of glandular amylase was reduced (22%-0% of normal levels) in the tumor tissue, epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGFalpha) content was dramatically higher in the neoplastic tissue (10- to 170-fold and 4.6- to 6.0-fold, respectively). These results suggest that with the presence of elevated levels of EGF, TGFalpha, and the oncoprotein receptor c-erbB-2 in the membrane of parotid tumors, cell proliferation and activation of the phosphotyrosine signal transduction pathway may involve autocrine stimulation through the expression of high levels of growth factor and receptor in the same tissue.