Involvement of MicroRNAs in Probiotics-Induced Reduction of the Cecal Inflammation by Salmonella Typhimurium

The microRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to play important roles in the development of the immune system and in regulation of host inflammation responses. Probiotics can effectively alleviate the inflammation caused by Salmonella in chickens. However, whether and how miRNAs are involved in modulation of the inflammation response in the gut of chickens have not been reported. In this study, the impact of a probiotics, Lactobacillus plantarum Z01 (LPZ01), was investigated on the cecal miRNAs and cytokine secretions in Salmonella Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium)-infected chickens at the age of 3 days. Newly hatched chicks were assigned to four groups (1): NC (basal diet) (2): S (basal diet + S. Typhimurium challenged) (3): SP (basal diet + S. Typhimurium challenged + LPZ01) (4): P (basal diet + LPZ01). In comparison with the S group, chicks in the SP group reduced the number of S. Typhimurium and had lower levels of interferon-γ and lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor alpha factor (LITAF) in ceca post challenge. Expression of 14 miRNAs was significantly affected by the presence of S. Typhimurium and/or lactobacillus. Five differential expression miRNAs (gga-miR-215-5p, gga-miR-3525, gga-miR-193a-5p, gga-miR-122-5p, and gga-miR-375) were randomly selected for confirmation by the RT-PCR. Predicted target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs were enriched in regulation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity, stress-activated MAPK cascade, immune system development and regulation of immune system process as well as in immune related pathways such as MAPK and Wnt signaling pathways. The relationship between changes of miRNAs and changes of cytokines was explored. Finally, 119 novel miRNAs were identified in 36 libraries totally. Identification of novel miRNAs significantly expanded the repertoire of chicken miRNAs and provided the basis for understanding the function of miRNAs in the host. Our results suggest that the probiotics reduce the inflammation of the S. Typhimurium infection in neonatal broiler chicks, at least partially, through regulation of miRNAs expression

Electroacupuncture pretreatment attenuates cerebral ischemic injury through α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-mediated inhibition of high-mobility group box 1 release in rats

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We have previously reported that electroacupuncture (EA) pretreatment induced tolerance against cerebral ischemic injury, but the mechanisms underlying this effect of EA are unknown. In this study, we assessed the effect of EA pretreatment on the expression of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7nAChR), using the ischemia-reperfusion model of focal cerebral ischemia in rats. Further, we investigated the role of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) in neuroprotection mediated by the α7nAChR and EA.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Rats were treated with EA at the acupoint "Baihui (GV 20)" 24 h before focal cerebral ischemia which was induced for 120 min by middle cerebral artery occlusion. Neurobehavioral scores, infarction volumes, neuronal apoptosis, and HMGB1 levels were evaluated after reperfusion. The α7nAChR agonist PHA-543613 and the antagonist α-bungarotoxin (α-BGT) were used to investigate the role of the α7nAChR in mediating neuroprotective effects. The roles of the α7nAChR and HMGB1 release in neuroprotection were further tested in neuronal cultures exposed to oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Our results showed that the expression of α7nAChR was significantly decreased after reperfusion. EA pretreatment prevented the reduction in neuronal expression of α7nAChR after reperfusion in the ischemic penumbra. Pretreatment with PHA-543613 afforded neuroprotective effects against ischemic damage. Moreover, EA pretreatment reduced infarct volume, improved neurological outcome, inhibited neuronal apoptosis and HMGB1 release following reperfusion, and the beneficial effects were attenuated by α-BGT. The HMGB1 levels in plasma and the penumbral brain tissue were correlated with the number of apoptotic neurons in the ischemic penumbra. Furthermore, OGD in cultured neurons triggered HMGB1 release into the culture medium, and this effect was efficiently suppressed by PHA-543,613. Pretreatment with α-BGT reversed the inhibitory effect of PHA-543,613 on HMGB1 release.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These data demonstrate that EA pretreatment strongly protects the brain against transient cerebral ischemic injury, and inhibits HMGB1 release through α7nAChR activation in rats. These findings suggest the novel potential for stroke interventions harnessing the anti-inflammatory effects of α7nAChR activation, through acupuncture or pharmacological strategies.</p

Genome-Wide Analysis of Gene Expression in Primate Taste Buds Reveals Links to Diverse Processes

Efforts to unravel the mechanisms underlying taste sensation (gustation) have largely focused on rodents. Here we present the first comprehensive characterization of gene expression in primate taste buds. Our findings reveal unique new insights into the biology of taste buds. We generated a taste bud gene expression database using laser capture microdissection (LCM) procured fungiform (FG) and circumvallate (CV) taste buds from primates. We also used LCM to collect the top and bottom portions of CV taste buds. Affymetrix genome wide arrays were used to analyze gene expression in all samples. Known taste receptors are preferentially expressed in the top portion of taste buds. Genes associated with the cell cycle and stem cells are preferentially expressed in the bottom portion of taste buds, suggesting that precursor cells are located there. Several chemokines including CXCL14 and CXCL8 are among the highest expressed genes in taste buds, indicating that immune system related processes are active in taste buds. Several genes expressed specifically in endocrine glands including growth hormone releasing hormone and its receptor are also strongly expressed in taste buds, suggesting a link between metabolism and taste. Cell type-specific expression of transcription factors and signaling molecules involved in cell fate, including KIT, reveals the taste bud as an active site of cell regeneration, differentiation, and development. IKBKAP, a gene mutated in familial dysautonomia, a disease that results in loss of taste buds, is expressed in taste cells that communicate with afferent nerve fibers via synaptic transmission. This database highlights the power of LCM coupled with transcriptional profiling to dissect the molecular composition of normal tissues, represents the most comprehensive molecular analysis of primate taste buds to date, and provides a foundation for further studies in diverse aspects of taste biology

Electrospun nanostructures for solar energy harvesting and motion sensing

With the rapid development of human technology, we are continuously facing new problems and challenges. On one hand is the limited natural resources, and on the other hand is the increasing demands for convenient lifestyle. It is not a good idea to sacrifice one aspect to satisfy the other, but we should seek a balance between sustainable development and the comfortable living concept. Thus it becomes a very crucial task to explore the low cost, large scale and environmental friendly fabrication methods for wide applications. Electrospinning is a top-down method in which polymeric or melt components are drawn out from a solution system onto a collector by electrostatic force. In comparison with other methods, including drawing, template synthesis, chemical vapor deposition and so on, electrospinning offers some attractive features. One of the most important advantages is its industrial scalability, which makes it possible to directly transfer the results from lab research to the industry. In general, the unique advantages of electrospun nanostructures including high spatial interconnectivity, high porosity, and large surface-to-volume ratio, make it a promising fabrication method in energy harvesting applications. The objective of this work is to develop nanostructures used for solar energy harvesting and motion sensing through electrospinning techniques. First, titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoporous hemispheres (NHSs) with a radius of ∼200 nm are fabricated for the construction of mesoporous TiO2 layer of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) by electrospraying. The resulting TiO2 NHSs are highly porous, which are beneficial to the infiltration of perovskites and provide a larger contact area, as building blocks for PSCs. By varying the TiO2 NHSs collecting period (15 s, 30 s, 60 s and 90 s) during the electrospraying process, the performance of PSCs changes with different TiO2 NHSs distribution densities. The optimized PSC employing TiO2 NHSs (60 s) exhibits a PCE as high as 19.3% with a short circuit current density (JSC) of 23.8 mA cm−2, an open circuit voltage (VOC) of 1.14 V and a fill factor (FF) of 0.71. Furthermore, the PSC possesses a reproducible PCE value with little hysteresis in its current density-voltage (J–V) curves. Second, hollow rice grain-shaped TiO2 nanostructures (NSs) with the radius of 200-300 nm are fabricated by electrospinning titanium isopropoxide solution and further calcination. The resulting hollow rice grain-shaped TiO2 NSs are applied as the building blocks to construct the mesoporous TiO2 layer for the large-area PSCs. By varying the spin coating speed (2000 rpm, 4000 rpm, and 8000 rpm, respectively), the performance of PSCs changes with different TiO2 NSs distribution densities. The optimized PSC employing the 4000 rpm spin coating speed exhibits a PCE of 14.2% with the JSC of 21.6 mA cm−2, VOC of 1.07 V and fill FF of 0.61, which is superior to both the plain structure based control group with the PCE of 9.6% and conventional meso-TiO2 based group with the PCE of 12.1%. Furthermore, the PSC possesses a reproducible PCE value with weak hysteresis in its J-V curves. Moreover, photoluminescence (PL) measurements and finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) optical simulations reveal the enhanced fast charge carrier extraction/transport and light absorption in the proposed system, which makes electrospun hollow rice grain-shaped TiO2 NSs a promising electron transportation material for high-efficiency and large-area photovoltaic devices. Last, electrospinning is a widely applied technique to produce an extended length of fiber-shaped piezoelectric devices. A stretching-induced alignment method is demonstrated to achieve highly oriented electrospun poly[(vinylidenefluoride-co-trifluoroethylene] P(VDF-TrFE) fibers on a large scale. These globally aligned electrospun P(VDF-TrFE) fibers exhibit an enhanced piezoelectric property and high mechanical endurance. Using this simple stretching method, a high average output voltage of 80% aligned electrospun P(VDF-TrFE) fibers is 84.96 mV, about 266% of their original randomly distributed counterpart. Furthermore, when woven into an outfit, the aligned electrospun P(VDF-TrFE) fiber bundle can work both individually and combined to monitor body gestures including angles of elbow bending and directions of a swinging arm, which may lead to the further development of motion-tracking technology in wearable smart devices.Doctor of Philosoph

Analysis of interaction between lake water and groundwater in beach of Maowusu Lake Basin

The interaction between lake water and groundwater is of great significance to the rational development and utilization of water resources. In this paper, based on temperature tracer principle, two methods including of the analytical method and numerical simulation method are used to comprehensively study the interaction between lake water and groundwater with a buried depth of 0-0.4 meters at the lake bed in the beach of Maowusu Lake Basin. In addition, compared with the result by hydrodynamic method. The results show that from May 20 to 28, 2018, the vertical seepage velocity between lake water and groundwater is 2×10-7-1×10-6 m/s, and the seepage velocity at the buried depth is 0.4 m is greater than that at the buried depth of 0.2 m. Precipitation have a certain impact on the results of analytic method, and there is a certain lag in the seepage velocity at the buried depth of 0.4 m. Without less rainfall interference, the results of numerical method and hydrodynamic method are of good agreement, furthermore the results of the three methods are in the same order of magnitude. At the same time, the volume heat capacity and porosity of lake bed sediments have great influence on the results. In the study of interaction between lake water and groundwater in semi-arid areas, numerical simulation is much better choice when the monitoring data are collected completely

Fire-related cues significantly promote seed germination of some salt-tolerant species from non-fire-prone saline-alkaline grasslands in Northeast China

Seed germination in response to fire-related cues has been widely studied in species from fire-prone ecosystems. However, the germination characteristics of species from non-fire-prone ecosystems, such as the saline-alkaline grassland, where fire occasionally occurs accidentally or is used as a management tool, have been less studied. Here, we investigate the effects of different types of fire cues (i.e., heat and smoke water) and their combined effect on the seed germination of 12 species from the saline-alkaline grassland. The results demonstrated that heat shock significantly increased the germination percentage of Suaeda glauca and Kochia scoparia var. sieversiana seeds. Smoke water significantly increased the germination percentage of Setaria viridis and K. scoparia seeds. However, compared with single fire cue treatments, the combined treatment neither promoted nor inhibited seed germination significantly in most species. These results suggest that fire cues can be used as germination enhancement tools for vegetation restoration and biodiversity protection of the saline-alkaline grassland

Seed germination demonstrates inter-annual variations in alkaline tolerance: a case study in perennial Leymus chinensis

Abstract Background and aims The escalating issue of soil saline-alkalization poses a growing global challenge. Leymus chinensis is a perennial grass species commonly used in the establishment and renewal of artificial grasslands that is relatively tolerant of saline, alkaline, and drought conditions. Nonetheless, reduced seed setting rates limit its propagation, especially on alkali-degraded grassland. Inter-annual variations have an important effect on seed yield and germination under abiotic stress, and we therefore examined the effect of planting year on seed yield components of L. chinensis. Methods We grew transplanted L. chinensis seedlings in pots for two (Y2), three (Y3), or four (Y4) years and collected spikes for measurement of seed yield components, including spike length, seed setting rate, grain number per spike, and thousand seed weight. We then collected seeds produced by plants from different planting years and subjected them to alkaline stress (25 mM Na2CO3) for measurement of germination percentage and seedling growth. Results The seed setting rate of L. chinensis decreased with an increasing number of years in pot cultivation, but seed weight increased. Y2 plants had a higher seed setting rate and more grains per spike, whereas Y4 plants had a higher thousand seed weight. The effects of alkaline stress (25 mM Na2CO3) on seed germination were less pronounced for the heavier seeds produced by Y4 plants. Na2CO3 caused a 9.2% reduction in shoot length for seedlings derived from Y4 seeds but a 22.3% increase in shoot length for seedlings derived from Y3 seeds. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate significant differences in seed yield components among three planting years of L. chinensis under pot cultivation in a finite space. Inter-annual variation in seed set may provide advantages to plants. Increased alkalinity tolerance of seed germination was observed for seeds produced in successive planting years

Impaired serial ordering in nondemented patients with mild Parkinson's disease.

The ability to arrange thoughts and actions in an appropriate serial order (the problem of serial order) is essential to complex behaviors such as language, reasoning and cognitive planning. Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) perform poorly in tasks that rely on the successful rearrangement of working memory representations. We hypothesized that serial ordering is impaired in nondemented patients with mild PD. We recruited 49 patients with mild idiopathic PD (Hoehn and Yahr Scale 1-2.5) and 51 matched healthy adults. Nineteen patients had normal global cognition (PD-NC, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, MoCA≥26/30) and thirty patients had mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI, 21≤MoCA≤25). All participants underwent three working memory assessments: two experimental tests that require reordering random digits following a particular rule (adaptive digit ordering test and digit span backward test) and a control test that requires maintaining but no reordering (digit span forward test). PD-NC and PD-MCI patients performed significantly worse (with lower test scores and larger ordering costs) than healthy controls in both digit ordering and backward tests, although they performed normally in the forward test. The ordering cost increased as a function of age across groups, indicating an aging-related decline in the ability of serial ordering. However, individual patients' task performances were not correlated with their severity or duration of motor symptoms, or daily exposure to dopaminergic drugs. These results suggested that serial ordering deficits exist in early stages of PD, prior to subtle changes in global cognition and in parallel with motor symptoms

Detection of Carbofuran with Immobilized Acetylcholinesterase Based on Carbon Nanotubes-Chitosan Modified Electrode

A sensitive and stable enzyme biosensor based on efficient immobilization of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) to MWNTs-modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with chitosan (CS) by layer-by-layer (LBL) technique for rapid determination of carbofuran has been devised. According to the inhibitory effect of carbamate pesticide on the enzymatic activity of AChE, we use carbofuran as a model pesticide. The inhibitory effect of carbofuran on the biosensor was proportional to concentration of carbofuran in the range from  g/L to  g/L with a detection limit of  g/L. This biosensor is a promising new method for pesticide analysis