Differentially Expressed miRNAs and mRNAs in Regenerated Scales of Rainbow Trout (<i>Oncorhynchus mykiss</i>) under Salinity Acclimation

In order to explore the potential effects of salinity acclimation on bone metabolism of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), transcriptional information of regenerated scales under salinity acclimation (sea water, SW) was compared to those of fish under fresh water (FW) environments. According to the high-throughput sequencing results, a total of 2620 significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the data of SW vs. FW. Compared with the FW group, six significantly downregulated and 44 significantly upregulated miRNAs were identified in the SW scales (p < 0.05). Furthermore, a total of 994 significantly differentially expressed target genes (DETGs) were identified from the 50 significantly differentially expressed miRNAs (DE miRNAs). Gene ontology analysis of the aforementioned DETGs was similar to the results of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) obtained from mRNA-seq data, these genes were mainly related to ion metabolism. KEGG enrichment analysis of the DEGs and DETGs suggested that many significantly enriched pathways were related to the energy metabolism pathway

Comparative analysis of quantitative phosphoproteomics between two tilapias (Oreochromis niloticus and Oreochromis aureus) under low-temperature stress

As an important farmed fish, tilapia has poor tolerance to low-temperatures. At the same time, different tilapia strains have apparent differences in low-temperature tolerance. In this study, using the iTRAQ method, the phosphorylated proteomics of two tilapia strains (Oreochromis niloticus and Oreochromis aureus) with different tolerances to low-temperature stress were quantitatively and comparatively analyzed, to clarify the physiological mechanism of tilapia’s response to low-temperature stress. Through the GO and IPR analyses of differentially phosphorylated proteins, a number of similarities in physiological activities and regulatory effects were found between the two tilapias in response to low-temperature stress. Many differentially phosphorylated proteins are mainly involved in lipid metabolism, cell proliferation and apoptosis. However, the difference in endurance of low temperature of these two tilapias might be related to the differences in categories, expression and modification level of genetic products which were involved in the aforementioned physiological processes. And meanwhile, the enrichment results of KEGG showed the changes of multiple immune-related and growth-related phosphorylated proteins in the cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction pathway in O. aureus are more prominent. Furthermore, the significantly enriched pathway of carbohydrate digestion and absorption in O. niloticus may indicate that low-temperature stress exerts a more severe impact on energy metabolism. The relative results would help elucidating the molecular mechanism by which tilapia responds to low-temperature stress, and developing culture of tilapia species

Glycopeptide Synthesis on an Ionic Liquid Support

An ionic liquid-supported synthetic method for the construction of glycopeptides in high yields is reported. This method avoids the use of large excesses of reagents and chromatographic purification and, therefore, represents a useful addition to existing approaches for the ionic liquid-supported synthesis of oligosaccharides and peptides

Modulation of Hair Growth with Small Molecule Agonists of the Hedgehog Signaling Pathway

The hedgehog (Hh) family of intercellular signaling proteins is intricately linked to the development and patterning of almost every major vertebrate organ system. In the skin, sonic hedgehog (Shh) is required for hair follicle morphogenesis during embryogenesis and for regulating follicular growth and cycling in the adult. We recently described the identification and characterization of synthetic, non-peptidyl small molecule agonists of the Hh pathway. In this study, we examined the ability of a topically applied Hh-agonist to modulate follicular cycling in adult mouse skin. We report that the Hh-agonist can stimulate the transition from the resting (telogen) to the growth (anagen) stage of the hair cycle in adult mouse skin. Hh-agonist-induced hair growth caused no detectable differences in epidermal proliferation, differentiation, or in the endogenous Hh-signaling pathway as measured by Gli1, Shh, Ptc1, and Gli2 gene expression when compared with a normal hair cycle. In addition, we demonstrate that Hh-agonist is active in human scalp in vitro as measured by Gli1 gene expression. These results suggest that the topical application of Hh-agonist could be effective in treating conditions of decreased proliferation and aberrant follicular cycling in the scalp including androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss)

Clinical analysis of secondary glaucoma in Central China

Abstract To describe the epidemiology, clinical and social characteristics, management, and outcomes of patients with secondary glaucoma in Central China, a total of 1,129 cases (1,158 eyes) among 710 males (62.89%) and 419 females (37.11%) were analyzed. The mean age was 53.75 ± 17.11 years. The New Rural Cooperative Medical System (NCMS) played the most important role in reimbursement (60.32%) for secondary glaucoma-related medical expenses. The predominant occupation was “farmer” (53.41%). Neovascularization and trauma were the leading causes of secondary glaucoma. Cases of trauma-induced glaucoma decreased substantially during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. An education level of senior high school or above was uncommon. Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation was the most commonly performed surgery. At the final follow-up, the overall intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with vascular disease- and trauma-related secondary glaucoma was 19.53 ± 10.20 mmHg, 20.26 ± 11.75 mmHg, and 16.90 ± 6.72 mmHg, while the mean visual acuity (VA) was 0.33 ± 0.32, 0.34 ± 0.36, and 0.43 ± 0.36. In 814 (70.29%) eyes, the VA was < 0.01. Effective preventive measures for at-risk populations, increased NCMS coverage and the promotion of higher education are necessary. These findings will help ophthalmologists detect secondary glaucoma early and manage it in a timely manner

Elucidation of the Formation Mechanisms of the Octahydrotriborate Anion (B₃H₈^–) through the Nucleophilicity of the B–H Bond

Boron compounds are well-known electrophiles. Much less known are their nucleophilic properties. By recognition of the nucleophilicity of the B–H bond, the formation mechanism of octahydrotriborate (B₃H₈^–) was elucidated on the bases of both experimental and computational investigations. Two possible routes from the reaction of BH₄^– and THF·BH₃ to B₃H₈^– were proposed, both involving the B₂H₆ and BH₄^– intermediates. The two pathways consist of a set of complicated intermediates, which can convert to each other reversibly at room temperature and can be represented by a reaction circle. Only under reflux can the B₂H₆ and BH₄^– intermediates be converted to B₂H₅^– and BH₃(H₂) via a high energy barrier, from which H₂ elimination occurs to yield the B₃H₈^– final product. The formation of B₂H₆ from THF·BH₃ by nucleophilic substitution of the B–H bond was captured and identified, and the reaction of B₂H₆ with BH₄^– to produce B₃H₈^– was confirmed experimentally. On the bases of the formation mechanisms of B₃H₈^–, we have developed a facile synthetic method for MB₃H₈ (M = Li and Na) in high yields by directly reacting the corresponding MBH₄ salts with THF·BH₃. In the new synthetic method for MB₃H₈, no electron carriers are needed, allowing convenient preparation of MB₃H₈ in large scales and paving the way for their wide applications