Characterization and expression analysis of four members genes of flavanone 3-hydroxylase families from Chamaemelum nobile

Chamaemelum nobile is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, whose secondary metabolites used in the pharmacology of Chinese medicine. Among them, the flavonoids have great research value. Flavanone 3-hydroxylase (F3H) is one of the core enzymes in the early steps of flavonoid biosynthesis. This study aimed to elucidate the structures, functions, and expression levels of F3H families from C. nobile. Four members of the F3H family were screened from C. nobile transcriptome data and performed bioinformatics analysis. Results showed that CnF3H1~4 had a high similarity with the other F3H plants, and all genes contained two conserved isopenicillin N synthase-like and oxoglutarate/iron-dependent dioxygenase domains. Further analysis revealed that the four CnF3H proteins contained some differences in binding sites. The results of secondary and 3-D structures displayed that the composition and proportion of the four CnF3H secondary structures were basically the same, and their 3D structures were consistent with the secondary structures. The phylogenetic tree displayed that CnF3H2, CnF3H3, and CnF3H4 were grouped with Asteraceae. The expression patterns of CnF3Hs in the roots, stems, leaves, and flowers of C. nobile were evaluated using the value of RPKM. The results indicated that CnF3Hs had significant difference in the expression of different tissues. Especially, CnF3H1~3 and CnF3H4 had the highest expression levels in the flowers and roots, respectively. Hence, CnF3Hs played a significant role in the flavonoid metabolism

Associations between pregnancy loss and common mental disorders in women: a large prospective cohort study

BackgroundIncreasing evidence suggests that pregnancy loss can lead to negative emotional outcomes, such as anxiety and depression, for women. However, limited knowledge exists regarding the long-term risk of mental disorders among individuals who have experienced pregnancy loss.ObjectiveTo investigate the associations between pregnancy loss and the risk of common mental disorders.MethodsIn the UK Biobank, a total of 218,990 women without any mental disorder at baseline were enrolled between 2006 and 2010 and followed until October 2022. Information on the history of pregnancy loss was obtained through self-reported questionnaires at baseline. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between pregnancy loss and common mental disorders.ResultsDuring a median follow-up time of 13.36 years, there were 26,930 incident cases of common mental disorders. Incidence rates of common mental disorders were elevated among women with a history of stillbirth (HR 1.15, 95% CI: 1.07–1.23), miscarriage (HR 1.06, 95% CI: 1.02–1.10), or pregnancy termination (HR 1.21, 95% CI: 1.17–1.25) compared to those without such experiences. Furthermore, the risk of common mental disorders significantly increased in women with two or more miscarriages (HR 1.14, 95% CI: 1.08–1.19) or two or more pregnancy terminations (HR 1.39, 95% CI: 1.30–1.48).ConclusionsPregnancy loss is associated with an increased risk of common mental disorders in women later in life. These findings may contribute to the enhancement of long-term monitoring and prevention of common mental disorders for women with such a history

Osteocalcin has a muscle-protective effect during weight loss in men without metabolic syndrome: a multicenter, prospective, observational study

ObjectiveWeight reduction often accompanies muscle loss. Existing studies highlight the involvement of osteocalcin (OC) in energy metabolism and its potential to prevent age-related muscle loss. Nevertheless, these studies predominantly involve individuals with hyperglycemia, yielding conflicting research outcomes. This study investigated the protective role of OC against muscle loss during weight reduction in individuals without metabolic syndrome (MetS).MeasuresWe enrolled 130 overweight or obese individuals without MetS in a 4-month high-protein, energy-restricted dietary weight management program conducted at two clinic centers. Body composition and laboratory tests were assessed both before and after weight loss. Correlation and regression analysis were made between the changes in metabolic indicators and muscle mass during weight loss.ResultsFollowing weight loss, there was a decrease in body mass index (BMI), percentage of body fat (PBF), visceral fat area (VFA), fasting insulin (FINS), homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), and lipid profile, and increase in the percentage of skeletal muscle (PSM) and vitamin D. There was no change in osteocalcin (OC) during the intervention. Correlation analysis of the relative changes in all metabolic indicators revealed a positive correlation between OC and PSM (r=0.383, p=0.002). Multiple linear regression analysis found that OC has a significant protective effect on muscles during weight loss in males after adjusting for confounding factors (β=0.089, p=0.017).ConclusionHigh-protein, energy-restricted diets demonstrate efficacy in enhancing metabolic indicators within the weight-loss population. Furthermore, OC exhibits a protective effect on muscle mass during weight reduction in individuals without MetS, with this effect being particularly evident in males

Concentrations and sociodemographic determinants of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in women pregnant using assisted reproduction technology in comparison with women pregnant naturally

BackgroundPer- and polyfuoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are categorized as persistent organic pollutants and commonly detected in humans, and their toxicity has attracted widespread attention. However, few studies have reported comparison of PFAS levels and potential factors between women pregnant using assisted reproduction technology (ART) and women pregnant naturally. ObjectiveTo analyze and compare serum concentrations and sociodemographic determinants of PFAS in pregnant women conceiving through ART and conceiving naturally from Shanghai. MethodsBased on the China National Birth Cohort (CNBC) in Shanghai from 2017 to 2019, 333 pregnant women conceiving through ART and 689 pregnant women conceiving naturally were recruited during the same period as study subjects. The concentrations of 32 PFAS were measured in early-pregnancy serum of all pregnant women, and four PFAS with the highest co-exposure levels in both groups were included in the subsequent analysis. Multiple linear regression models were performed to evaluate the associations of sociodemographic factors with serum PFAS concentrations in the two groups respectively. Beta coefficients and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were exponentiated to calculate the ratio of the geometric mean (GM) of PFAS concentrations after each unit change in the independent variable.ResultsPerfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), 6∶2 chlorinated polyfluoroethersulfonic acid (6∶2 Cl-PFESA), and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) were four major PFAS in serum of pregnant women conceiving through ART and conceiving naturally, and the concentrations of PFOA, PFOS, and 6∶2 Cl-PFESA were higher in pregnant women conceiving through ART than in pregnant women conceiving naturally (P 300000 CNY had lower serum concentrations of PFOA [GM ratio (95%CI): 0.82 (0.72, 0.95) and 0.89 (0.81, 0.97), respectively] and PFHxS [GM ratio (95%CI): 0.66 (0.51, 0.86) and 0.77 (0.66, 0.90), respectively] than those women whose household annual income <200000 CNY. Additionally, pregnant women conceiving naturally with a graduate education or above had lower serum 6∶2 Cl-PFESA concentrations than women with an education below college (GM ratio: 0.81), and multiparous pregnant women conceiving naturally had higher serum concentrations of PFOS, 6∶2 Cl-PFESA, and PFHxS than primiparous pregnant women (GM ratio: 1.14, 1.25, and 1.27 respectively). ConclusionAlthough differences in serum PFAS levels are found between pregnant women conceiving through ART and women conceiving naturally in this study, maternal age and household income are common determinants of PFAS exposure levels in both populations. We find no special sociodemographic factors to affect PFAS concentrations of pregnant women conceiving through ART compared to pregnant women conceiving naturally. Further research is required to explore other potential factors

A combined association of obesity, alanine aminotransferase and creatinine with hyperuricemia in youth aged 13–20 years

BackgroundDespite extensive research on hyperuricemia (HUA) in adults, there remains a dearth of studies examining this condition in youth. Consequently, our objective was to investigate the prevalence of HUA among youth in the United States, as well as identify the corresponding risk factors.MethodsThis study employed a nationally representative subsample of 1,051 youth aged 13–20 from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted between January 2017 and March 2020. Univariate and multivariate techniques were utilized to examine the association between HUA and obesity, dietary nutrients, liver and kidney function, glucose and lipid metabolism, inflammation, and other indicators in the adolescent population.ResultsThe study encompassed a cohort of 1,051 youth aged 13–20 years, comprising 538 boys and 513 girls. The overall prevalence of HUA was found to be 7% (74 out of 1,051). Univariate analysis revealed that the HUA group exhibited greater age, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). Additionally, the prevalence of obesity was significantly higher in the HUA group compared to the non- HUA group (all p &lt; 0.05). Regarding biochemical indicators, the levels of urea nitrogen, creatinine (Cr), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), glutamic oxalic aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and HS C reactive protein (Hs CRP) were found to be significantly higher in the HUA group compared to the non-HUA group (all p &lt; 0.05). Further analysis using binary logistics regression showed that BMI (p = 0.024, OR1.158, 95%CI1.019–1.316), ALT (p = 0.020, OR1.032, 95%CI1.005–1.059), and Cr (p = 0.016, OR1.028, 95%CI1.005–1.051) were identified as risk factors for HUA, after controlling for age, gender, BMI, WC, HC, WHR, ALT, AST, GGT, TG, TC, Cr, Hs CRP, and other indicators. Interestingly, neither univariate nor multivariate analysis found any association between dietary nutrients and the risk of HUA (all p &gt; 0.05).ConclusionHigh BMI remains a major risk factor for HUA in US youth aged 13–20 years, and ALT and Cr levels should be closely monitored along with serum uric acid

Chromosomal-Scale Genome Assemblies of Two Coastal Plant Species, <i>Scaevola taccada</i> and <i>S. hainanensis</i>—Insight into Adaptation Outside of the Common Range

While most of the species in Goodeniaceae family, excluding the Scaevola genus, are endemic to Australasia, S. taccada and S. hainanensis have expanded their distribution range to the tropical coastlines of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. S. taccada appears to be highly adapted to coastal sandy lands and cliffs, and it has become invasive in places. S. hainanensis is found mainly in salt marshes near mangrove forests, and is at risk of extinction. These two species provide a good system to investigate adaptive evolution outside the common distribution range of this taxonomic group. Here, we report their chromosomal-scale genome assemblies with the objective of probing their genomic mechanisms related to divergent adaptation after leaving Australasia. The scaffolds were assembled into eight chromosome-scale pseudomolecules, which covered 90.12% and 89.46% of the whole genome assembly for S. taccada and S. hainanensis, respectively. Interestingly, unlike many mangroves, neither species has undergone whole-genome duplication. We show that private genes, specifically copy-number expanded genes are essential for stress response, photosynthesis, and carbon fixation. The gene families that are expanded in S. hainanensis and contracted in S. taccada might have facilitated adaptation to high salinity in S. hainanensis. Moreover, the genes under positive selection in S. hainanensis have contributed to its response to stress and its tolerance of flooding and anoxic environments. In contrast, compared with S. hainanensis, the more drastic copy number expansion of FAR1 genes in S. taccada might have facilitated its adaptation to the stronger light radiation present in sandy coastal lands. In conclusion, our study of the chromosomal-scale genomes of S. taccada and S. hainanensis provides novel insights into their genomic evolution after leaving Australasia

DataSheet_1_Associations between pregnancy loss and common mental disorders in women: a large prospective cohort study.docx

BackgroundIncreasing evidence suggests that pregnancy loss can lead to negative emotional outcomes, such as anxiety and depression, for women. However, limited knowledge exists regarding the long-term risk of mental disorders among individuals who have experienced pregnancy loss.ObjectiveTo investigate the associations between pregnancy loss and the risk of common mental disorders.MethodsIn the UK Biobank, a total of 218,990 women without any mental disorder at baseline were enrolled between 2006 and 2010 and followed until October 2022. Information on the history of pregnancy loss was obtained through self-reported questionnaires at baseline. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between pregnancy loss and common mental disorders.ResultsDuring a median follow-up time of 13.36 years, there were 26,930 incident cases of common mental disorders. Incidence rates of common mental disorders were elevated among women with a history of stillbirth (HR 1.15, 95% CI: 1.07–1.23), miscarriage (HR 1.06, 95% CI: 1.02–1.10), or pregnancy termination (HR 1.21, 95% CI: 1.17–1.25) compared to those without such experiences. Furthermore, the risk of common mental disorders significantly increased in women with two or more miscarriages (HR 1.14, 95% CI: 1.08–1.19) or two or more pregnancy terminations (HR 1.39, 95% CI: 1.30–1.48).ConclusionsPregnancy loss is associated with an increased risk of common mental disorders in women later in life. These findings may contribute to the enhancement of long-term monitoring and prevention of common mental disorders for women with such a history.</p

Overexpression of BimSs3, the novel isoform of Bim, can trigger cell apoptosis by inducing cytochrome c release from mitochondria

Bim is defined as the pro-apoptotic BH3-only protein of the Bcl-2 family, which is a critical sensor and mediator in the mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis. In a previous work, we have cloned a novel transcript of Bim (GenBank accession number: AY305716) from the fetal brain cDNA, which is widely expressed in some carcinoma tissues and normal human tissues. According to the sequence analysis and the newly-defined nomenclature system of Bim isoforms (Adachi et al., 2005, Cell Death Differ 2: 192), we term it BimSs3 according to its characteristic structure. The subcellular location analysis indicated that the fused protein GFP-BimSs3 is distributed in the whole cell, mainly to the nucleus. Overexpression of BimSs3 in HEK293 cells causes apoptosis (28.16 ± 1.55%) compared to the negative control (5.44 ± 2.63%). It also causes cytochrome c release from the mitochondrial fraction to the cytosolic fraction during apoptosis. Western blotting assay indicates the molecular mass of GFP-BimSs3 is approximately 31.0 kDa (GFP: 27 kDa). Hence the open reading frame of BimSs3 may initiate at the second ATG and encodes a 36 amino-acid peptide with BH3 domain