A potential therapeutic drug for osteoporosis: prospect for osteogenic LncRNAs

Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) play essential roles in multiple physiological processes including bone formation. Investigators have revealed that LncRNAs regulated bone formation through various signaling pathways and micro RNAs (miRNAs). However, several problems exist in current research studies on osteogenic LncRNAs, including sophisticated techniques, high cost for in vivo experiment, as well as low homology of LncRNAs between animal model and human, which hindered translational medicine research. Moreover, compared with gene editing, LncRNAs would only lead to inhibition of target genes rather than completely knocking them out. As the studies on osteogenic LncRNA gradually proceed, some of these problems have turned osteogenic LncRNA research studies into slump. This review described some new techniques and innovative ideas to address these problems. Although investigations on osteogenic LncRNAs still have obtacles to overcome, LncRNA will work as a promising therapeutic drug for osteoporosis in the near future

Synergistic Effect of Functionalized Nickel Nanoparticles and Quercetin on Inhibition of the SMMC-7721 Cells Proliferation

The effect of functionalized nickel (Ni) nanoparticles capped with positively charged tetraheptylammonium on cellular uptake of drug quercetin into hepatocellular carcinoma cells (SMMC-7721) has been explored in this study via microscopy and electrochemical characterization as well as MTT assay. Meanwhile, the influence of Ni nanoparticles and/or quercetin on cell proliferation has been further evaluated by the real-time cell electronic sensing (RT-CES) study. Our observations indicate that Ni nanoparticles could efficiently improve the permeability of cancer cell membrane, and remarkably enhance the accumulation of quercetin in SMMC-7721 cells, suggesting that Ni nanoparticles and quercetin would facilitate the synergistic effect on inhibiting proliferation of cancer cells

Genomes shed light on the evolution of Begonia, a mega‐diverse genus

Clarifying the evolutionary processes underlying species diversification and adaptation is a key focus of evolutionary biology. Begonia (Begoniaceae) is one of the most species-rich angiosperm genera with ~2,000 species, most of which are shade-adapted. Here, we present chromosome-scale genome assemblies for four species of Begonia (B. loranthoides, B. masoniana, B. darthvaderiana, and B. peltatifolia), and whole genome shot-gun data for an additional 74 Begonia representatives to investigate lineage evolution and shade adaptation of the genus. The four genome assemblies range in size from 331.75 Mb (B. peltatifolia) to 799.83 Mb (B. masoniana), and harbor 22,059 - 23,444 protein-coding genes. Synteny analysis revealed a lineage specific whole-genome duplication (WGD) that occurred just before the diversification of the Begonia. Functional enrichment of gene families retained after WGD highlight the significance of modified carbohydrate metabolism and photosynthesis possibly linked to shade-adaptation in the genus, which is further supported by expansions of gene families involved in light perception and harvesting. Phylogenomic reconstructions and genomics studies indicate that genomic introgression has also played a role in the evolution of Begonia. Overall, this study provides valuable genomic resources for Begonia and suggests potential drivers underlying the diversity and adaptive evolution of this mega-diverse clade

Novel and Efficient Diethylene Glycol/H2O Solvent for Lignin Dissolution

Novel lignin solvents were developed by adding H2O to diethylene glycol (DEG). The solubility of lignin in the DEG/H2O solvents was determined at 25 °C, and the effect of mass ratio of H2O to DEG on lignin solubility was investigated. The DEG/H2O solvents exhibited highly efficient capacity for lignin dissolution, even at room temperature. The possible dissolution mechanism is proposed to be the interaction between the DEG and lignin. In addition, the DEG/H2O solvents hardly disrupt the structure of lignin

Facile Fabrication of Methylcellulose/PLA Membrane with Improved Properties

With the rapid exhaustion of fossil resources, and environmental pollution relative to the use of fossil-based products, developing eco-friendly products using biomass and/or biodegradable resources is becoming increasingly conspicuous. In this study, ecofriendly and biodegradable composite membranes containing varying MC/PLA (methylcellulose/polylactic acid) mass ratios were prepared. The properties and structures of the MC/PLA membranes were studied by mechanical testing, 13C NMR techniques, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and hot compression. The MC/PLA membranes displayed markedly improved tensile strength and elongation at the MC/PLA mass ratio range of 99:1 to 9:1. The tensile strength and elongation of the MC/PLA (97:3) membrane was found to be the optimum, at 30% and 35% higher than the neat MC, respectively. It was also found that hot compression could improve the tensile strength and elongation of the membranes. At the same time, the membranes showed enough good thermal stability. In addition, the effect of MC/PLA mass ratio on morphologies of the membranes were studied by microscopy technique

Genetic Diversity and Evolution of Chinese Traditional Medicinal Fungus <em>Polyporus umbellatus</em> (Polyporales, Basidiomycota)

<div><p>Background</p><p><i>Polyporus umbellatus</i> is an important medicinal fungus distributed throughout most area of China. Its wide distribution may have resulted in substantial intraspecific genetic diversity for the fungus, potentially creating variation in its medical value. To date, we know little about the intraspecific genetic diversity of <i>P. umbellatus</i>.</p> <p>Methodology/Principal Findings</p><p>The objective of this research was to assess genetic differences of <i>P. umbellatus</i> from geographically diverse regions of China based on nrDNA ITS and 28S rRNA (LSU, large subunit) sequences. Significant sequence variations in the ITS and LSU sequences were detected. All sclerotial samples were clustered into four clades based on phylogenetic analysis of ITS, LSU and a combined data set of both regions. Heterogeneity of ITS and LSU sequences was detected in 5 and 7 samples respectively. All clone sequences clustered into the same clade except for one LSU clone sequences (from Henan province) which clustered into two clades (Clade I and Clade II). Significant genetic divergence in <i>P. umbellatus</i> was observed and the genetic diversification was greater among sclerotial samples from Shaanxi, Henan and Gansu provinces than among other provinces. Polymorphism of ITS and LSU sequences indicated that in China, <i>P. umbellatus</i> may spread from a center (Shaanxi, Henan and Gansu province) to other regions.</p> <p>Conclusions/Significance</p><p>We found sclerotial samples of <i>P. umbellatus</i> contained levels of intraspecific genetic diversity. These findings suggested that <i>P. umbellatus</i> populations in Shaanxi, Henan and Gansu are important resources of genetic diversity and should be conserved accordingly.</p> </div

Genetic diversity of <i>Polyporus umbellatus</i> collected from different provinces^*.

*<p>Forty-two samples were sequenced in this study (<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0058807#pone.0058807.s001" target="_blank">Table S1</a>). The genetic parameters of nucleotide diversity were estimated by DnaSP software (version 5.10.01). The “polymorphic sites” include both informative sites and singleton sites.</p

Pairwise population difference for ITS and LSU sequences of <i>Polyporus umbellatus</i> sclerotia.

<p>Above diagonal: Average number of pairwise differences between populations (PiXY); Diagonal elements: Average number of pairwise differences within population (PiX); Below diagonal: Corrected average pairwise difference (PiXY−(PiX+PiY)/2); P values of PXY are indicated (* p<0.05; **p<0.01).</p

PCR-SSCP results of ITS and LSU sequences of <i>Polyporus umbellatus</i>.

a<p>Numbers outside parentheses are parsimony informative sites, inside parentheses are singleton variable sites.</p

Phylogenetic analyses of 42 <i>Polyporus umbellatus</i> sclerotia based on the combined data set of nrDNA ITS and LSU (28S rRNA).

<p>Bootstrap values from minimum evolution, maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood higher than 50% are shown at the nodes. The representative sclerotial pictures of each combined haplotypes are shown aside. Arabic numbers (1–7) indicate ITS haplotypes and capital letters (A–G) indicate LSU haplotypes. Sample codes: The capital letters after ZL indicate the provinces names: ShX “Shaanxi Province, SX “Shanxi Province”, HB “Hebei Province”, HN “Henan Province”, SC “Sichuan Province”, GS “Gansu Province”, QH “Qinghai Province”, YN “Yunnan Province”, JL “Jilin Province”, LN “Liaoning Province”, HLJ “Heilongjiang Province”, BJ “Beijing”. Symbols marked at the side of sclerotial images refer to sclerotial morphotypes: ▵ “<i>Zhu Shi Ling</i>”, ??? “<i>Ji Shi Ling</i>”. Arabic numbers after province name indicate the sample number from same province (also see <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0058807#pone.0058807.s001" target="_blank">Table S1</a>).</p