Inhibitory interaction of flavonoids with organic anion transporter 3 and their structure-activity relationships for predicting nephroprotective effects

The organic anion transporter 3 (OAT3), an important renal uptake transporter, is associated with drug-induced acute kidney injury (AKI). Screening and identifying potent OAT3 inhibitors with little toxicity in natural products, especially flavonoids, in reducing OAT3-mediated AKI is of great value. The five strongest OAT3 inhibitors from the 97 flavonoids markedly decreased aristolochic acid I-induced cytotoxicity and alleviated methotrexate-induced nephrotoxicity. The pharmacophore model clarified hydrogen bond acceptors and hydrophobic groups are the critical pharmacophores. These findings would provide valuable information in predicting the potential risks of flavonoid-containing food/herb-drug interactions and optimizing flavonoid structure to alleviate OAT3-related AKI.

[Chemical constituents from Paris rugosa rhizomes and their antimicrobial activities]

Paris rugosa(Melanthiaceae) only grows in Yunnan province of China at present, and its chemical constituents have not been systematically studied. In this study, nine compounds, including one new compound pariposide G(1) and eight known compounds of cerin(2), stigmast-4-en-3-one(3), β-ecdysone(4), ophiopogonin C'(5), methyl protogracillin(6), gracillin(7), parissaponin H(8), and parisyunnanoside G(9), were isolated and identified from the ethanol extract of P. rugosa rhizomes by column chromatography methods and semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). Compounds 1-9 were isolated from this plant for the first time. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of all the compounds were evaluated. The results showed that ophiopogonin C' had strong inhibitory effects on Candida albicans [MIC_(90)=(4.68±0.01) μmol·L~(-1)] and the fluconazole-resistant strain of C. albicans [MIC_(90)=(4.66±0.02) μmol·L~(-1)].

Heterodimers with a cucurbitane-type triterpenoid skeleton from the branches of Elaeocarpus dubius

Four undescribed and two known cucurbitane-type triterpenoids, including two heterodimers, elaeocarpudubins A and B, were isolated from the branches of Elaeocarpus dubius (Elaeocarpaceae). The chemical structures of these undescribed isolates were determined by analyses of 1D and 2D NMR and MS data, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations, and chemical transformation. Biogenetically, elaeocarpudubins A and B might be derived from cucurbitacin F through Michael addition with vitamin C and (-)-catechin, respectively. These six isolates were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against human leukemia HL-60, human lung adenocarcinoma A549, human hepatoma SMMC-7721, human breast cancer MCF-7, human colon cancer SW480, and paclitaxel-resistant A549 (A549/Taxol) cell lines, for their antioxidant properties using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, and for their differentiation effects on nerve growth factor (NGF)-mediated neurite outgrowth in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells. Cucurbitacins F (IC₅₀ of 4.98-38.11 μM) and D (IC₅₀ of 0.03-4.40 μM) showed growth-inhibitory activities against these six cancer cell lines. Elaeocarpudubin B (IC₅₀ of 61.04 μM) and elaeocarpudoside B (IC₅₀ of 6.93 μM) showed antioxidant activities. Elaeocarpudubin B and elaeocarpudoside B also showed neurite outgrowth-promoting activities in PC12 cells at a concentration of 10 μM.

A Prospective Study of Using Chaihu Shugan Powder Combined with Zu San Li Acupoint Stimulation to Improve the Prognosis of Liver Stagnation and Qi Stagnation Syndrome in Acute Pancreatitis

Background

This study aimed to explore the clinical efficacy of Chaihu Shugan powder combined with Zu San Li acupoint stimulation on the acute pancreatitis of liver and qi stagnation syndromes, the protection of intestinal barrier function, the prevention of severe tendency, and safety evaluation.

Method

Data were collected from October 2019-June 2021 at Xinhua Hospital, which is affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Emergency Department. Eighty patients with acute pancreatitis were randomly divided into a control treatment group (40 people) and a combined traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment group (40 people). Detailed records of hospitalised patients were obtained, including the general situation of patients' clinical diagnosis and clinical examination before and after treatment. The changes in inflammatory and immune indexes before and after treatment were recorded.

Result

Compared with the standard treatment group, the relief time of abdominal pain in the TCM treatment group was significantly shortened with statistically significant differences. Compared with the standard treatment group, the levels of WBC, ALT, CA, hemodiastase, lipase, TG, and other factors in the TCM treatment group decreased, whereas the levels of DB, SCR, cholesterol, K⁺, and other factors increased. The differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Chaihu Shugan powder combined with Zu San Li acupoint stimulation can reduce the clinical manifestations of liver and qi stagnation syndromes of acute pancreatitis, protect the intestinal barrier function, prevent the tendency of severe illness and improve the prognosis.

[Evaluation of the effect of comprehensive prevention and management of diabetes mellitus of two cross-sectional surveys based on community population]

To investigate the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) among residents in Chongchuan district, Nantong city in 2012 and 2018, and evaluate the effectiveness of community comprehensive management of DM. Based on the data of 17 780 and 13 382 residents in the cross-sectional surveys of the " National Demonstration Area for Comprehensive Prevention and Control of Chronic Diseases " project in Chongchuan District of Nantong City, Jiangsu Province in 2012 and 2018, 4 583 and 3 996 DM-related information were obtained. The population of Jiangsu Province in 2012 and 2018 was used as the reference for standardization. The rates of prevalence and management (including awareness, treatment, treatment of patients who knew their diabetic situation, control and control of patients under treatment) of DM in the two surveys were compared using chi-square test. The results showed that in 2012 and 2018, the prevalence rates of DM were 12.0% and 15.7% (χ²=24.25, P<0.05), and the standardized rates were 10.1% and 10.8% (χ²=1.05, P=0.306). The incidence rates were 5.7% and 2.3%, respectively (χ²=55.60, P<0.05). The standardized prevalence rates in the two surveys were 9.7% and 11.6% for males (χ²=3.66, P=0.056) and 10.5% and 9.9% for females (χ²=0.50, P=0.481), 7.2% and 6.5% (χ²=0.85, P=0.357) for people aged 18-59 years old and 20.6% and 21.9% (χ²=0.91, P=0.339) for people aged 60 years and over, respectively. The standardized rates of awareness, treatment, treatment of patients who knew their diabetic situation, control, and control of patients under treatment in 2018 were 84.4%, 80.3%, 95.2%, 58.4%, and 70.2%, respectively, higher than 47.2%, 23.4%, 44.8%, 30.4% and 59.4% in 2012 (χ²=183.33, χ²=380.65, χ²=282.99, χ²=93.24, χ²=6.22, all P<0.05). Among men, the standardized rates of awareness, treatment, treatment of patients who knew their diabetic situation, and control in 2018 were 85.8%, 78.8%, 91.8% and 62.7%, higher than 50.5%, 37.5%, 72.3% and 32.6% in 2012 (χ²=78.40, χ²=96.17, χ²=27.55, χ²=48.96, all P<0.05). Similarly, the standardized management rates in 2018 were 83.0%, 81.7%, 98.5%, 54.1% and 65.1%, higher than 44.0%, 10.0%, 18.3%, 28.2% and 48.8% in 2012 among women (χ²=105.52, χ²=326.36, χ²=317.22, χ²=43.34, χ²=3.87, all P<0.05). The standardized rates of awareness, treatment, treatment of patients who knew their diabetic situation, and control of people aged 18-59 and 60 years and over were 82.9%, 79.7%, 96.1%, 55.0% and 88.0%, 81.8%, 93.0% and 67.2%, higher than 42.6%, 19.8%, 42.2%, 27.5% and 63.9%, 36.8%, 53.9%, 40.8% in 2012 (χ²=44.51, χ²=102.17, χ²=57.78, χ²=21.65, all P<0.05; χ²=71.18, χ²=181.55, χ²=146.26, χ²=59.23, all P<0.05). The comprehensive prevention and control system of chronic diseases, which comprehensively covered the life of community residents, had good management effect on DM, and effectively promoted health education and health promotion.

[Role and mechanism of miRNA-181a in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease]

Objective: To investigate the role and probable mechanism of miRNA-181a in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Methods: HepG2 cells were treated with palmitic acid to construct a nonalcoholic fatty liver disease cell model, and the expression of miR-181a and lipidosis in the cells were measured. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) was used to examine the effect of miR-181a expression in HepG2 cells. The miR-181a, lipidosis, reduced glutathione and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were determined by controlling and regulating the miR-183 expression levels after transfection with miR-181 mimics and inhibitors in HepG2 cells. The miR-181a target genes were predicted by bioinformatics analysis, and verified by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR and western blotting. The independent sample t-test was used for the comparison between the two independent samples, and the comparison between multiple groups were accorded with the normal distribution, homogeneity of variance, and one-way analysis of variance. Results: Lipidosis was significantly increased after palmitic acid treatment in HepG2 cells, and the expression level of miR-181a was significantly increased than control group. After HepG2 cells were transfected with miR-181a inhibitors, the expression of miR-181a, triglycerides and reactive oxygen species were down-regulated, and reduced glutathione, predicting the mRNA and protein expression of target gene silencing information regulator 2 related enzyme 1 were up-regulated. However, the results were contrary to the above changes after transfection with miR-181a mimics. Conclusion: miR-181a participates in lipidosis and promotes lipid peroxidation in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. miR-181a may affect the pathogenesis and progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by inhibiting the expression of silencing information regulator 2 related enzyme 1.

Two new bis-C20-diterpenoid alkaloids with anti-inflammation activity from Aconitum bulleyanum

Two new bis-C₂₀-diterpenoid alkaloids, bulleyanines A and B (1 and 2), were isolated from Aconitum bulleyanum. Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses including UV, IR, MS, 1D and 2D NMR. Biological activity tests indicated that compound 1 exhibited significant inhibitory activity against nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW264.7 macrophages with the inhibition rate of 74.60% (40 μmol/L), while positive control dexamethasone gave 78.70% inhibition at 100 μg/ml.

Analysis of quality nursing of postoperative incision infection in urological patients

To study the effect of quality nursing on postoperative incision infection in urological patients, 200 subjects admitted to our hospital between June 2016 and June 2017 were included in this study and divided into a quality nursing group (group A) and a general nursing group (group B), 100 in each group. Blood loss, blood transfusion, hospital stay, incision healing, incision infection, and self-rating depression scale (SDS) scores in both groups were compared. It was found that the bleeding volume in group A was significantly less than that in group B, and there was significant difference between the two groups (P less than 0.05) while the difference in blood transfusion rate and hospital stay between the two groups was not significant (P> 0.05); the number of patients of level 1 healing in group A was larger than that of group B while the number of patients of level 2 and level 3 healing was smaller than that of group B, with significant differences (P less than 0.05); the number of infection cases in group A was significantly lower than that in group B, and the difference was significant (P less than 0.05); the SDS score of group A was lower than that of group B, with significant differences (P less than 0.05). Therefore, quality nursing had a certain effect on the infection of postoperative incision of urological patients, which had positive significance for incision healing. Reducing the effect of bacterial infections in operated patients is important for rapid healing and patient health. Using a long-lasting antibacterial can protect the patient and reduce the incidence of other infections.

Gly71Arg UGT1A1 polymorphism is associated with breast cancer susceptibility in Han Chinese women

Breast cancer is among the most common causes of cancer-related death in women worldwide. Previous studies have demonstrated an association between prolonged estrogen exposure and increased risk of breast cancer. Uridine 5'-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferase 1-1 (UGT1A1) plays a significant role in the detoxification of estrogens. Two major genetic polymorphisms have been identified in the UGT1A1 locus. UGT1A1*28 has been previously linked to increased risk of breast cancer. The aim of this study was to elucidate the possible correlation between UGT1A1*6, a single nucleotide polymorphism causing a Gly71Arg substitution, and breast cancer susceptibility. Forty-six women diagnosed with breast cancer, 15 patients with gastrointestinal cancer, and 13 healthy women were recruited to this study. The genotype in the polymorphic UGT1A1 locus was determined by DNA sequencing. The frequency of each genotype was compared among the three groups. The frequency of the UGT1A1*6 allele was significantly higher in breast cancer and gastrointestinal cancer patients than that in healthy females (both P < 0.05). No significant associations were observed between the UGT1A1*6 polymorphism and estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, HER-2 expression status, menstrual status, or metastasis (all P > 0.05). Therefore, the UGT1A1*6 polymorphism was deduced to be a risk factor for breast cancer in women of Han Chinese ethnicity. UGT1A1 may serve as a therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of breast cancer and other estrogen-related diseases.

High-saturate-fat diet delays initiation of diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the association between a high-fat diet (HFD) and HCC is not fully understood. In this study, we investigated whether a high-saturate-fat diet affects hepatocarcinogenesis induced by administration of diethylnitrosamine (DEN).

Methods

Adult SD rats were randomized into the following groups: normal chow diet (NCD), HFD, NCD + DEN, and HFD + DEN. The HFD contains 2% cholesterol and 10% lard oil. In mice with DEN treatment, the carcinogen was given via gavage. Mice were sacrificed at the end of 10, 12, and 14 weeks, respectively. The effects of HFD on hepatic carcinogenesis were assessed by HCC incidence, tumor differentiation, and the number and size of tumor nodules. Western blot and immunohistochemistry for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for caspase-3, and real-time PCR for TNF-α and IL-6 further uncovered the proliferative and apoptotic properties of liver.

Results

In contrast to the NCD group, DEN treatment (NCD + DEN group) led to hepatitis, cirrhosis, hepatic tumor, and decreased body weight. Interestingly, HFD, which induced hyperlipidemia and hepatic steatosis, attenuated DEN-related malnutrition and fibrosis progression in HFD + DEN group during 10–14 weeks. Moreover, the HFD + DEN group exhibited that the proportion of well differentiated HCC was much higher than that of NCD + DEN group. The number and average volume of HCC node were also significantly lowered in HFD + DEN group (P < 0.01-0.05). When compared to that of NCD + DEN group, there was an inhibited expression of PCNA, TNF-α, and IL-6, and activation of caspase-3 in the liver of HFD + DEN group at week 10 and 12.

Conclusions

HFD restores malnutrition in the DEN-treated rats, which in turn inhibits the initiation of hepatic carcinogenesis and malignancy.

NAFLD leads to liver cancer: do we have sufficient evidence?

Primary liver cancer has several well-recognized risk factors, such as HBV and HCV infection, alcohol abuse and aflatoxin. Recent studies show that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), especially its aggressive form nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is associated with an increased risk of liver cancer, mainly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). On the other hand, clinical and epidemiological data have showed that HCC has rarely been found in a "pure" fatty liver in human. Thus, the question we need to ask is do we have sufficient evidence to support a causative role of NAFLD in liver cancer? Furthermore, if NAFLD is indeed a causative factor for liver cancer, what is the mechanism? Perhaps at this stage, fatty liver and NASH can be regarded as a definite risk factor for liver cancer, but to conclude that NAFLD induces HCC requires more robust in vitro and in vivo data.

[Relationship between vitamin D and autism spectrum disorder]

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder, with multiple genetic and environmental risk factors. The interplay between genetic and environmental factors has become the subject of intensified research in the last several years. Vitamin D deficiency has recently been proposed as a possible environmental risk factor for ASD. Vitamin D has a unique role in brain homeostasis, embryogenesis and neurodevelopment, immunological modulation (including the brain's immune system), antioxidation, antiapoptosis, neural differentiation and gene regulation. Children with ASD had significantly lower serum levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D than healthy children.Therefore vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy and early childhood may be an environmental trigger for ASD.

Fatty liver reduces hepatitis B virus replication in a genotype B hepatitis B virus transgenic mice model

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) overlapping with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is undergoing a rapid increase in China. Therefore, the establishment and character of an animal model with both NAFLD and chronic HBV infection has become an urgent task.

METHODS

Mice with chronic HBV genotype B infection were established with a microinjection of oocytes. Transgenic and nontransgenic mice were then randomized into groups of NAFLD + HBV, HBV, NAFLD, and control and were treated with high-fat diets or common forage. At 8, 16, and 24 weeks, characteristics of NAFLD were evaluated by physical indices, liver function tests, glycolipid metabolism, and histopathological scoring. Viral dynamics were also analyzed by HBV-DNA and HBV-related antigens.

RESULTS

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) were expressed, and HBV-DNA was replicated in HBV transgenic mice at different stages in the serum and liver. Hepatic steatosis was only induced after exposure of the mice to high-fat diets, and no obvious pathological changes occurred in the HBV group from 8 to 24 weeks. Compared to mice with HBV alone, significant reductions in serum levels of HBV-DNA, HBsAg and HBeAg occurred in the NAFLD + HBV group after 24 weeks (all P < 0.05). Nevertheless, the NAFLD and NAFLD + HBV groups shared comparable physical and metabolic disorders and similar steatotic, inflammatory and fibrotic characteristics in the liver.

CONCLUSION

High-fat diets and transgenic operations on the HBV genotype B induced a rodent model of NAFLD overlapping with chronic HBV infection, and this model reduces the HBV viral factors but not the metabolic and histologic features.

Clinical features of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease-associated hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), especially nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, is a recognized risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, detailed analysis of the clinical features in patients with NAFLD and their association with HCC is lacking. This study aimed to update the clinical features of patients with NAFLD-associated HCC.

DATA SOURCES

The clinical data of patients with NAFLD-associated HCC from 25 studies published between 1990 and 2010 in the Pubmed database were comprehensively reviewed.

RESULTS

In a total of 169 patients with NAFLD-associated HCC, 72.8% were male. The median age at abnormal liver function tests and diagnosis of NAFLD and HCC was 60, 64 and 67 years, respectively. Most patients were obese (75%) and diabetic (59.8%), 32.3% had dyslipidemia, and 53% had hypertension. Nearly all patients (98.6%, 71/72) were complicated with at least one metabolic disorder. The majority (76%) of the HCC patients had a solitary tumor nodule, with the tumor size ranging from 0.8 to 20 cm in diameter (mean 3.4 cm). Most (61.1%) of the patients had moderately-differentiated HCC. In 40.2% of the patients, HCC occurred in the absence of cirrhosis. Among 130 patients, 57.7% underwent hepatectomy and 14.6% received liver transplantation. The mean follow-up of the treated patients for 25 months showed that 32.4% (24/74) died and 18.8% (9/48) had recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with NAFLD-associated HCC are usually accompanied with metabolic disorders. Regular surveillance in patients with NAFLD for HCC is necessary, especially for elderly men with metabolic syndrome.

Electrochemical degradation of 4-chlorophenol in aqueous solution using modified PbO(2) anode

The electrochemical oxidation of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) in aqueous solution was studied by electrochemical oxidation using modified PbO(2) electrode as anode. The influence of several operating parameters, such as initial 4-CP concentration, applied current density, and supporting electrolyte (Na(2)SO(4)) concentration was investigated. Ultraviolet spectroscopy and total organic carbon (TOC) measurements were conducted to study the kinetics of 4-CP electrochemical reaction and the mineralization efficiency of 4-CP. The experimental results showed that the 4-CP degradation always followed a pseudo-first-order kinetics. The higher mineralization of 4-CP and the lower current efficiency (CE) were obtained by the lower initial 4-CP concentration. The applied current density showed a positive influence on the degradation of 4-CP and the removal of TOC, but a higher applied current density led to a lower CE. Although Na(2)SO(4) concentration of 0.05 M resulted in a higher 4-CP and TOC removal, the result of one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicates that Na(2)SO(4) concentration is not the significant parameter for 4-CP removal in electrochemical oxidation.

Dyslipidemia in Shanghai, China

OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence of and risk factors for dyslipidemia in Shanghai.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey of 14,385 subjects (6150 men) with mean age of 49.5 (14.5) years was conducted between October 2002 and April 2003 using randomized, stratified cluster sampling. Serum triglyceride, total cholesterol (TC) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured.

RESULTS

Dyslipidemia, as defined by NCEP ATP III criteria, occurred in 5255 subjects (36.5%). The prevalences of mixed hyperlipidemia (elevated TC and triglycerides), isolated hypertriglyceridemia, isolated hypercholesterolemia and isolated low HDL-C were 3.8%, 24.9%, 3.2% and 4.7%, respectively. The prevalence of dyslipidemia increased with age, with the peak prevalence (43%) occurring after age 55. Dyslipidemia was more common in males than females (40.2% vs. 33.8%) and in rural than urban populations (44.2% vs. 32.3%). Serum triglyceride and TC increased with body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference. Mean serum triglyceride concentrations in males and rural residents were higher than those in females and urban residents, respectively, whereas the reverse was true for HDL-C values. Multivariate analysis revealed that dyslipidemia was associated with age, gender, area of residence, BMI and waist circumference.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a high prevalence of dyslipidemia, mainly hypertriglyceridemia and low HDL-C, in Shanghai.

Advances in research on relationship between galectin-3 and liver diseases

Galectin-3, having an apparent molecular weight between 29 and 35 kDa, is a member of a galectin family of mammalian carbohydrate-binding proteins consisting so far of 14 reported members. Galectin-3 is predominantly localized in the cytoplasm and may translocate to the perinuclear membrane, nucleus and get secreted into the extracellular matrix (ECM). It is involved in cell growth, proliferation, differentiation and adhesion, immune responses, angiogenesis, apoptosis, and tumor progression and metastasis. Furthermore, galectin-3 can act as a receptor for advanced glycation end-products. Recent studies have shown that galectin-3 is associated with many hepatic diseases, such as fatty liver disease, hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. Here, we will review the relationship between galectin-3 and hepatic diseases.

Effect of Jiangzhi Yigan Chongji on resistin mRNA in the liver of rats with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

AIM: To explore the effects of resistin in the pathogenesis of a rat model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and to observe the effect of Jiangzhi Yigan Chongji on resistin mRNA in the liver of that model, to explore its mechanism of action.

METHODS: 24 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups (eight rats in each): normal group fed with standard diet, model group, and treated group fed with a high-fat diet. The treated group was given Jiangzhi Yigan Chongji (1 mL/100 g, its concentration is 0.8 g/mL, twice daily) by intragastric administration after 12 weeks. Meanwhile, the normal and model groups were separately given drinking water by the same means. After 17 weeks, they were killed. Resistin mRNA in the liver of the rat model of NASH induced by high-fat diet was detected with RT-PCR. Level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and asparate aminotransferase (AST) was detected by an automatic biochemistry analyzer; fasting blood glucose (FBG) was detected by glucose oxidase method; and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and fasting insulin (FINS) in serum were detected by radioimmunoassay. Degrees of steatosis and steatohepatitis were observed.

RESULTS: A positive correlation was found between mRNA expression of resistin and TNF-α, ALT and AST, and the degree of steatohepatitis (r = 0.873, 0.772, 0.716 and 0.892, P < 0.05) in the model group, but had no correlation with ISI. The relative level of resistin mRNA in the liver tissue of the model group (2.14 ± 0.11) was significantly higher than that in the normal group (0.42 ± 0.08), and that in the treated group (0.90 ± 0.06) was significantly lower than that in the model group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: Resistin may play an important role in the damage of NASH. Jiangzhi Yigan Chongji can significantly decrease the expression of resistin mRNA in liver tissue of NASH rats, and resistin may be a pharmacological target.

Identification and characterization of a novel gene, Mcpr1, and its possible function in the proliferation of embryonic palatal mesenchymal cells

We cloned a novel mouse cDNA, Mcpr1 (mouse cleft palate-related gene 1), between retinoic acid (RA)-treated murine embryonic palatal and control shelves by improved subtractive hybridization. Its transcript was identified by Northern blotting. The open reading frame encodes 132 amino acids and shows almost no identity to other genetic products. Mcpr1 expression could be detected extensively in adult mouse tissues and during murine embryonic development. It was identified to be significantly stimulated by RA in murine palatal shelves at embryonic day 12 and in palatal mesenchymal cells in vitro. We demonstrate that MCPR1 protein was localized primarily in the cytoplasm and could be synthesized and secreted by transfected COS-7 cells. Both the secretory and recombinant proteins of Mcpr1 inhibited proliferation of murine embryonic palatal mesenchymal cells and impeded the progression from the G1 to S phase in the cell cycle. The cells were prone to apoptosis after exposure to glutathione S-transferase-MCPR1. Furthermore, knockdown of MCPR1 protein levels by antisense oligodeoxynucleotides promoted progression of cells from the G1 to S phase and completely abolished the RA-induced block of the cell cycle from the G1 to S phase. These findings suggest that Mcpr1 might function as one of the RA-up-regulated genes involved in inhibiting cell proliferation during palatogenesis and RA-induced cleft palate by regulating proliferation and apoptosis of embryonic palatal mesenchymal cells and might even play a role in the development of many other organs.

Seedling and Adult Plant Resistance to Powdery Mildew in Chinese Bread Wheat Cultivars and Lines

Powdery mildew, caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici, is a widespread wheat disease in China. Identification of race-specific genes and adult plant resistance (APR) is of major importance in breeding for an efficient genetic control strategy. The objectives of this study were to (i) identify genes that confer seedling resistance to powdery mildew in Chinese bread wheat cultivars and introductions used by breeding programs in China and (ii) evaluate their APR in the field. The results showed that (i) 98 of 192 tested wheat cultivars and lines appear to have one or more resistance genes to powdery mildew; (ii) Pm8 and Pm4b are the most common resistance genes in Chinese wheat cultivars, whereas Pm8 and Pm3d are present most frequently in wheat cultivars introduced from CIMMYT, the United States, and European countries; (iii) genotypes carrying Pm1, Pm3e, Pm5, and Pm7 were susceptible, whereas those carrying Pm12, Pm16, and Pm20 were highly resistant to almost all isolates of B. graminis f. sp. tritici tested; and (iv) 22 genotypes expressed APR. Our data showed that the area under the disease progress curve, maximum disease severity on the penultimate leaf, and the disease index are good indicators of the degree of APR in the field. It may be a good choice to combine major resistance genes and APR genes in wheat breeding to obtain effective resistance to powdery mildew.

Volumetric productivity improvement for endoglucanase of Trichoderma pseudokoingii S-38

AIMS

The objective of this study was to design an economically feasible process for endoglucanase (EG) production.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Trichoderma pseudokoingii S-38 EG synthesis was studied. Initially, either glucose at 2.5, 5 or 10 g l-1, or cellulose powder (CF11) at 5 g l-1 was used as the sole carbon source. The results showed that enzyme synthesis and biomass formation were closely correlated, and both were affected by the carbon source. To improve EG volumetric product efficiency, a new technique was developed. Glucose and CF11 (2.5 and 5 g l-1, respectively) were used as initial carbon source, and glucose was added at 2.5 g l-1 day-1. EG activity, volumetric and specific EG productivities were 6.17 IU l-1, 53 IU l-1 h-1 and 114.3 IU (g cell protein)-1 h-1, respectively. Batch production in a 2-l laboratory fermenter confirmed the advantage of the technique. The product contained 10.86 IU ml-1 EG activity in 88 h. The volumetric and specific EG productivities were 123.4 IU l-1 h-1 and 177.8 IU (g cell protein)-1 h-1, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that optimization of the ratio of glucose to CF11 for balancing the induction and growth rate in the production of EG may lead to technical and economical benefits.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

A new technique was developed for the production of EG which improves both the volumetric product efficiency and the specific activity.

[Genetic analysis and gene deduction of powdery mildew resistance in T. durum-Ae. squarrosa amphidiploids]

Eleven seedlings with resistance and two amphidiploids with disease resistance at all developmental stage were screened by using No. 15 isolate of E. graminis f. sp. tritici to inoculate 99 T. durum-Ae. squarrosa amphidiploids. The two amphidiploids with disease resistance at all developmental stage, M53 and M81, and their Ae. squarrosa parents were resistant to No. 15 isolate of powdery mildew payhogen, but their T. durum parents were susceptible. Therefore, the powdery mildew resistance of M53 and M81 were derived from Ae. squarrosa. Amphidiploid M74, which had the same durum parent as M53 but different Ae. squrrosa parent, was susceptible to No. 15 isolate in adult stage. M29 and M35, which had the same durum parent as M81 but different Ae. squarrosa parent were susceptible in all stage. These results were also proved that the powdery mildew resistance genes were derived from Ae. sqarrosa. Genetic analysis showed that powdery mildew resistance gene in M53 or M81 was a single dominant gene. A series of lines with known powdery mildew resistance genes and two unknown lines were used to test response patterns with 14 differential isolates of E. graminis f. sp. tritici. The response patterns in M53 and M81 were different from Pm1 to Pm21 and indicated that M53 and M81 conferred a new powdery mildew resistance gene respectively.