miR-152 Attenuates the Severity of Lupus Nephritis Through the Downregulation of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF)-Induced Expression of COL1A1

Background: The role of miR-152 in lupus nephritis has not been elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of miR-152 in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis (LN).Methods: miR-152 expression was detected using RT-PCR in LN tissue and normal controls. The miR-152 expression was compared with clinical parameters such as 24 h urine protein excretion level, serum creatinine, and serum complement level and SLEDAI score. The function of miR-152 was examined using human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (HRPTE). miR-152 mimics and inhibitors were transfected to HRPTEs to ascertain the effects of miR-152.Results: miR-152 expression was downregulated in LN tissue. There was an inverse correlation between miR-152 expression in LN tissue and clinical parameters like 24 h urine protein excretion levels and serum creatinine, but not serum complement levels or SLEDAI. Further analysis showed that macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) was a direct target of miR-152. Downregulation of MIF through complementary binding of miR-152 inhibited the renal expression of COL1A1.Conclusion: miR-152 expression was tapered in LN tissue and miR-152 expression was inversely correlated with chronicity index (CI), serum creatinine and severity of proteinuria. miR-152 may attenuate the severity of LN through the downregulation of MIF-induced expression of COL1A1. These findings suggest that miR-152 may be a potential target for the treatment of LN

Association between Long-Term Changes in Dietary Percentage of Energy from Fat and Obesity: Evidence from over 20 Years of Longitudinal Data

Objectives: This study assessed the associations between long-term trajectories of percentage of energy from fat (PEF) and obesity among Chinese adults. Methods: Longitudinal data collected by the China Health and Nutrition Survey from 1991 to 2015 were analyzed. A body mass index ≥28.0 was defined as general obesity. Participants’ baseline PEF levels were categorized as lower than the recommendation of the Chinese Dietary Guideline (20%), meeting the recommendation (20−30%), and higher than the recommendation (>30%). Patterns of PEF trajectories were identified by latent class trajectory analysis for overall participants and participants in different baseline PEF groups, respectively. Cox proportional hazards regression models with shared frailty were used to estimate associations between PEF and obesity. Results: Data on 13,025 participants with 72,191 visits were analyzed. Four patterns of PEF trajectory were identified for overall participants and participants in three different baseline PEF groups, respectively. Among overall participants, compared with “Baseline Low then Increase Pattern” (from 12% to 20%), participants with “Baseline Normal-Low then Increase-to-High Pattern” (from 20% to 32%) had a higher hazard of obesity (hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confident interval (CI) at 1.18 (1.01−1.37)). Compared with the “Stable Pattern” group (stable at around 18% and 22%, respectively), participants with “Sudden-Increase Pattern” (from 18% to 30%) in the baseline group whose PEF levels were lower than the recommendation and those with “Sudden-Increase then Decrease Pattern” (rapidly increased from 25% to 40%, and then decreased) in the baseline group who met the recommendation had higher hazards of obesity (HRs and 95% CIs being 1.65 (1.13−2.41) and 1.59 (1.03−2.46), respectively). Conclusions: Adults with a trajectory that involved a sudden increase to a high-level PEF had a higher risk of general obesity. People should avoid increasing PEF suddenly

Fine mapping and candidate gene analysis of proportion of four-seed pods by soybean CSSLs

Soybean yield, as one of the most important and consistent breeding goals, can be greatly affected by the proportion of four-seed pods (PoFSP). In this study, QTL mapping was performed by PoFSP data and BLUE (Best Linear Unbiased Estimator) value of the chromosome segment substitution line population (CSSLs) constructed previously by the laboratory from 2016 to 2018, and phenotype-based bulked segregant analysis (BSA) was performed using the plant lines with PoFSP extreme phenotype. Totally, 5 ICIM QTLs were repeatedly detected, and 6 BSA QTLs were identified in CSSLs. For QTL (qPoFSP13-1) repeated in ICIM and BSA results, the secondary segregation populations were constructed for fine mapping and the interval was reduced to 100Kb. The mapping results showed that the QTL had an additive effect of gain from wild parents. A total of 14 genes were annotated in the delimited interval by fine mapping. Sequence analysis showed that all 14 genes had genetic variation in promoter region or CDS region. The qRT−PCR results showed that a total of 5 candidate genes were differentially expressed between the plant lines having antagonistic extreme phenotype (High PoFSP > 35.92%, low PoFSP< 17.56%). The results of haplotype analysis showed that all five genes had two or more major haplotypes in the resource population. Significant analysis of phenotypic differences between major haplotypes showed all five candidate genes had haplotype differences. And the genotypes of the major haplotypes with relatively high PoFSP of each gene were similar to those of wild soybean. The results of this study were of great significance to the study of candidate genes affecting soybean PoFSP, and provided a basis for the study of molecular marker-assisted selection (MAS) breeding and four-seed pods domestication

Exploring atherosclerosis imaging with contrast-enhanced MRI using PEGylated ultrasmall iron oxide nanoparticles

Plaque rupture is a critical concern due to its potential for severe outcomes such as cerebral infarction and myocardial infarction, underscoring the urgency of noninvasive early diagnosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has gained prominence in plaque imaging, leveraging its noninvasiveness, high spatial resolution, and lack of ionizing radiation. Ultrasmall iron oxides, when modified with polyethylene glycol, exhibit prolonged blood circulation and passive targeting toward plaque sites, rendering them conducive for MRI. In this study, we synthesized ultrasmall iron oxide nanoparticles of approximately 3 nm via high-temperature thermal decomposition. Subsequent surface modification facilitated the creation of a dual-modality magnetic resonance/fluorescence probe. Upon intravenous administration of the probes, MRI assessment of atherosclerotic plaques and diagnostic evaluation were conducted. The application of Flash-3D sequence imaging revealed vascular constriction at lesion sites, accompanied by a gradual signal amplification postprobe injection. T1-weighted imaging of the carotid artery unveiled a progressive signal ratio increase between plaques and controls within 72 h post-administration. Fluorescence imaging of isolated carotid arteries exhibited incremental lesion-to-control signal ratios. Additionally, T1 imaging of the aorta demonstrated an evolving signal enhancement over 48 h. Therefore, the ultrasmall iron oxide nanoparticles hold immense promise for early and noninvasive diagnosis of plaques, providing an avenue for dynamic evaluation over an extended time frame

Three new species of abdominal shrimp parasites (Crustacea: Isopoda: Bopyridae Hemiarthrinae) from the Indo-West Pacific

An, Jianmei, Chen, Ruru, Paulay, Gustav (2020): Three new species of abdominal shrimp parasites (Crustacea: Isopoda: Bopyridae Hemiarthrinae) from the Indo-West Pacific. Zootaxa 4845 (2): 264-274, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4845.2.

Phylogeny of Terrestrial Isopods Based on the Complete Mitochondrial Genomes, Subvert the Monophyly of Oniscidea

Background: Oniscidea is the only truly terrestrial taxon within the Crustacea, and vital to soil formation. However, the monophyly of suborder Oniscidea has been in dispute since 1995, with different studies disagreeing on whether the coastal Ligiidae are included within the suborder. To clarify the phylogenetic hypothesis of suborder Oniscidea, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genomes of Ligia exotica (Roux, 1828) and Mongoloniscus sinensis (Dollfus, 1901). Results: Like most metazoan, the complete mitogenomes of two species with circular double strands. The structure and characters of mitogenomes of these two species are analyzed. The constructed phylogenetic analyses show that Oniscidea is polyphyletic group, with Ligia being more closely related to marine isopods (Valvifera + Cymothoida + Sphaeromatidea). Conclusions: We elevate the taxonomic status of the family Ligiidae to the suborder Ligiaidea which are with parallel rank with Oniscidea. Ligiaidea is much primitive than other exact terrestrial isopods. Crinocheta are strongly monophyly, family Agnaridae is more closely related to Porcellionidae rather than Armadillididae

Phylogeny of Terrestrial Isopods Based on the Complete Mitochondrial Genomes, Subvert the Monophyly of Oniscidea

Background: Oniscidea is the only truly terrestrial taxon within the Crustacea, and vital to soil formation. However, the monophyly of suborder Oniscidea has been in dispute since 1995, with different studies disagreeing on whether the coastal Ligiidae are included within the suborder. To clarify the phylogenetic hypothesis of suborder Oniscidea, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genomes of Ligia exotica (Roux, 1828) and Mongoloniscus sinensis (Dollfus, 1901). Results: Like most metazoan, the complete mitogenomes of two species with circular double strands. The structure and characters of mitogenomes of these two species are analyzed. The constructed phylogenetic analyses show that Oniscidea is polyphyletic group, with Ligia being more closely related to marine isopods (Valvifera + Cymothoida + Sphaeromatidea). Conclusions: We elevate the taxonomic status of the family Ligiidae to the suborder Ligiaidea which are with parallel rank with Oniscidea. Ligiaidea is much primitive than other exact terrestrial isopods. Crinocheta are strongly monophyly, family Agnaridae is more closely related to Porcellionidae rather than Armadillididae

Base-free synthesis of bio-derived 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid using SBA-15 supported heteropoly acids in ionic liquids

2,5-Furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) is a green and renewable substitute to terephthalic acid (TPA), the fundamental monomer of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic. This work investigated novel supported Keggin phosphormolybdic acids (HPMs) for the synthesis of FDCA from 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in imidazole ionic liquids. Among four supporters, Al2O3, SiO2, ZSM-5 and SBA-15, SBA-15 exhibited highest stability and specific surface area 507 m(2)/g. FDCA yield achieved 76 % by using HPM/SBA-15, and maintained 60 % after 5 runs. Particularly, [Bmim]Cl ionic liquid was stable both in thermal and chemical properties by confirmation of FTIR and NMR. HPM/SBA-15 was also employed in different monosaccharides to FDCA, and led to acceptable yields. A moderate FDCA yield of 34 % from glucose was obtained, revealing a great potential of one-pot synthesis of FDCA from renewable and accessible carbohydrates

Base-free synthesis of bio-derived 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid using SBA-15 supported heteropoly acids in ionic liquids

2,5-Furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) is a green and renewable substitute to terephthalic acid (TPA), the fundamental monomer of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic. This work investigated novel supported Keggin phosphormolybdic acids (HPMs) for the synthesis of FDCA from 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in imidazole ionic liquids. Among four supporters, Al2O3, SiO2, ZSM-5 and SBA-15, SBA-15 exhibited highest stability and specific surface area 507 m(2)/g. FDCA yield achieved 76 % by using HPM/SBA-15, and maintained 60 % after 5 runs. Particularly, [Bmim]Cl ionic liquid was stable both in thermal and chemical properties by confirmation of FTIR and NMR. HPM/SBA-15 was also employed in different monosaccharides to FDCA, and led to acceptable yields. A moderate FDCA yield of 34 % from glucose was obtained, revealing a great potential of one-pot synthesis of FDCA from renewable and accessible carbohydrates