Dendrobium officinale

Background. Dendrobium officinale (DO) Kimura et Migo is a precious Chinese herb that is considered beneficial for health due to its antioxidant and antidiabetes properties, and so on. In this research, we try to determine the preventive effect of DO on the early complications of STZ-induced diabetic rats. Methods. Type 1 diabetic rats were produced with a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (50 mg/kg). DO (1 g/kg/day) was then orally administered for 5 weeks. Blood glucose, TC, TG, BUN, CREA, and GSH-PX levels were determined, and electroretinographic activity and hypoalgesia were investigated. Pathological sections of the eyes, hearts, aortas, kidneys, and livers were analyzed. Results. Treatment with DO significantly attenuated the serum levels of TC, TG, BUN, and CREA, markedly increased the amplitudes of ERG a- and b-waves and Ops, and reduced the hypoalgesia and histopathological changes of vital organs induced by hyperglycemia. The protective effect of DO in diabetic rats may be associated with its antioxidant activity, as evidenced by the marked increase in the serum level of glutathione peroxidase. However, DO had no significant effect on blood glucose levels and bodyweight of diabetic rats. Conclusions. DO supplementation is an effective treatment to prevent STZ-induced diabetic complications

Halorarius litoreus gen. nov., sp. nov., Halorarius halobius sp. nov., Haloglomus halophilum sp. nov., Haloglomus salinum sp. nov., and Natronomonas marina sp. nov., extremely halophilic archaea isolated from tidal flat and marine solar salt

Five novel halophilic archaeal strains, named BND22T, ZY10T, ZY41T, ZY58T, and ZY43T, were isolated from the coastal saline sediment of the intertidal zone located in Qingdao and the natural sea salt produced from Huanghua marine solar saltern, PRChina. These five strains demonstrated the typical morphology and growth characteristics of haloarchaea. The comparison of 16S rRNA gene revealed that strain BDN22T was associated with Salinirubellus salinus ZS-35-S2T (95.2% similarity), strain ZY10T was related to Halosegnis rubeus F17-44T (95.1% similarity), both strains ZY41T and ZY58T were closely related to Haloglomus irregulare F16-60T (98.1% and 98.2% similarities, respectively), and strain ZY43T was close to Natronomonas salina YPL13T (98.0% similarity). In addition to the 16S rRNA gene, the rpoB′ gene is undoubtedly another important molecular marker for the identification of halophilic archaea, and concatenated-conserved-protein phylogeny was widely used in archaeal classification in recent years. Phylogenetic and phylogenomic analyses based on rpoB′ genes and 122 concatenated archaeal protein genes showed that these haloarchaea construct three different clades and gathered together with the current members of Haloarculaceae. Strains BND22T and ZY10T formed two distinct clades separated from Salinirubellus salinus ZS-35-S2T and Halosegnis members, strains ZY41T and ZY58T clustered with Haloglomus irregulare F16-60T, and strain ZY43T gathered with the current members of Natronomonas. The ANI, DDH, and AAI values of these five strains against phylogenetic neighbours were no more than 91%, 45%, and 92%, respectively, far below the cut-off values for species delineation, supporting their placements in new taxa. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, phylogenetic, and phylogenomic properties, these five strains represent five novel taxa of the family Haloarculaceae, Halorarius litoreus gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain BND22T = CGMCC 1.18780T = JCM 34966T), Halorarius halobius sp. nov. (type strain ZY10T = CGMCC 1.17475T = JCM 34319T), Haloglomus halophilum sp. nov. (type strain ZY41T = CGMCC 1.17030T = JCM 34161T), Haloglomus salinum sp. nov. (type strain ZY58T = CGMCC 1.17216T = JCM 34163T), and Natronomonas marina sp. nov. (type strain ZY43T = CGMCC 1.17202T = JCM 34162T). This is the first report of description of a novel haloarchaeon isolated from a marine intertidal zone

Variability of the giant X-ray bump in GRB 121027A and possible origin

The particular giant X-ray bump of GRB 121027A triggered by \emph{Swift} is quite different from the typical X-ray flares in gamma-ray bursts. There exhibit four parts of the observed structural variabilities in the rise and decay phase of the bump. Considering the quality of four parts of the data, we can only analyze the data from about 5300 s to about 6100 s in the bump using the stepwise filter correlation method (Gao et al. 2012), and find that the $86^{+5.9}_{-9.4}~\rm s$ periodic oscillation may exist, which is confirmed by the Lomb-Scargle method (Scargle 1982). Furthermore, a jet precession model (Liu et al. 2010) is proposed to account for such a variability.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA

Dysfunction of Collagen Synthesis and Secretion in Chondrocytes Induced by Wisp3

Wisp3 gene mutation was shown to cause spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia tarda with progressive arthropathy (SRDT-PA), but the underlying mechanism is not clear. To clarify this mechanism, we constructed the wild and mutated Wisp3 expression vectors and transfected into human chondrocytes lines C-20/A4; Wisp3 proteins subcellular localization, cell proliferation, cell apoptosis, and Wisp3-mediated gene expression were determined, and dynamic secretion of collagen in transfected chondrocytes was analyzed by 14C-proline incorporation experiment. Mutated Wisp3 protein increased proliferation activity, decreased apoptosis of C-20/A4 cells, and aggregated abnormally in cytoplasm. Expression of collagen II was also downregulated in C-20/A4 cells transfected with mutated Wisp3. Wild type Wisp3 transfection increased intracellular collagen content and extracellular collagen secretion, but the mutated Wisp3 lost this function, and the peak phase of collagen secretion was delayed in mutated Wisp3 transfected cells. Thus abnormal protein distribution, cell proliferation, collagen synthesis, and secretion in Wisp3 mutated chondrocytes might contribute to the pathogenesis of SEDT-PA

The LAMOST Survey of Background Quasars in the Vicinity of the Andromeda and Triangulum Galaxies -- II. Results from the Commissioning Observations and the Pilot Surveys

We present new quasars discovered in the vicinity of the Andromeda and Triangulum galaxies with the LAMOST during the 2010 and 2011 observational seasons. Quasar candidates are selected based on the available SDSS, KPNO 4 m telescope, XSTPS optical, and WISE near infrared photometric data. We present 509 new quasars discovered in a stripe of ~135 sq. deg from M31 to M33 along the Giant Stellar Stream in the 2011 pilot survey datasets, and also 17 new quasars discovered in an area of ~100 sq. deg that covers the central region and the southeastern halo of M31 in the 2010 commissioning datasets. These 526 new quasars have i magnitudes ranging from 15.5 to 20.0, redshifts from 0.1 to 3.2. They represent a significant increase of the number of identified quasars in the vicinity of M31 and M33. There are now 26, 62 and 139 known quasars in this region of the sky with i magnitudes brighter than 17.0, 17.5 and 18.0 respectively, of which 5, 20 and 75 are newly-discovered. These bright quasars provide an invaluable collection with which to probe the kinematics and chemistry of the ISM/IGM in the Local Group of galaxies. A total of 93 quasars are now known with locations within 2.5 deg of M31, of which 73 are newly discovered. Tens of quasars are now known to be located behind the Giant Stellar Stream, and hundreds behind the extended halo and its associated substructures of M31. The much enlarged sample of known quasars in the vicinity of M31 and M33 can potentially be utilized to construct a perfect astrometric reference frame to measure the minute PMs of M31 and M33, along with the PMs of substructures associated with the Local Group of galaxies. Those PMs are some of the most fundamental properties of the Local Group.Comment: 26 pages, 6 figures, AJ accepte

Combination of label-free quantitative proteomics and transcriptomics reveals intraspecific venom variation between the two strains of Tetrastichus brontispae, a parasitoid of two invasive beetles

The venom apparatus is a conserved organ in parasitoids that shows adaptations correlated with life-style diversification. Combining transcriptomics and label-free quantitative proteomics, here we explored the venom apparatus components of the endoparasitoid Tetrastichus brontispae (Eulophidae), and provide a comparison of the venom apparatus proteomes between its two closely related strains, T. brontispae-Octodonta nipae (Tb-On) and T. brontispae-Brontispa longissima (Tb-Bl). Tb-Bl targets the B. longissima pupa as its habitual host. However, Tb-On is an experimental derivative of Tb-Bl, which has been exposed to the O. nipae pupa as host consecutively for over 40 generation. Results showed that approximately 1505 venom proteins were identified in the T. brontispae venom apparatus. The extracts contained novel venom proteins, such as 4-coumarate-CoA ligase 4. A comparative venom proteome analysis revealed that significant quantitative and qualitative differences in venom composition exist between the two strains; although the most abundant venom proteins were shared between them. The differentially produced proteins were mainly enriched in fatty acid biosynthesis and melanotic encapsulation response. Six of these enriched proteins presented increased levels in Tb-On, and this result was validated by parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) analysis. Overall, our data reveal that venom composition can evolve quickly and respond to host selection

Genomic and oncogenic preference of HBV integration in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) can integrate into the human genome, contributing to genomic instability and hepatocarcinogenesis. Here by conducting high-throughput viral integration detection and RNA sequencing, we identify 4,225 HBV integration events in tumour and adjacent non-tumour samples from 426 patients with HCC. We show that HBV is prone to integrate into rare fragile sites and functional genomic regions including CpG islands. We observe a distinct pattern in the preferential sites of HBV integration between tumour and non-tumour tissues. HBV insertional sites are significantly enriched in the proximity of telomeres in tumours. Recurrent HBV target genes are identified with few that overlap. The overall HBV integration frequency is much higher in tumour genomes of males than in females, with a significant enrichment of integration into chromosome 17. Furthermore, a cirrhosis-dependent HBV integration pattern is observed, affecting distinct targeted genes. Our data suggest that HBV integration has a high potential to drive oncogenic transformation

Exploring the molecular mechanisms underlying the potentiation of exogenous growth hormone on alcohol-induced fatty liver diseases in mice

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Growth hormone (GH) is an essential regulator of intrahepatic lipid metabolism by activating multiple complex hepatic signaling cascades. Here, we examined whether chronic exogenous GH administration (via gene therapy) could ameliorate liver steatosis in animal models of alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD) and explored the underlying molecular mechanisms.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Male C57BL/6J mice were fed either an alcohol or a control liquid diet with or without GH therapy for 6 weeks. Biochemical parameters, liver histology, oxidative stress markers, and serum high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin were measured. Quantitative real-time PCR and western blotting were also conducted to determine the underlying molecular mechanism.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Serum HMW adiponectin levels were significantly higher in the GH1-treated control group than in the control group (3.98 ± 0.71 μg/mL vs. 3.07 ± 0.55 μg/mL; <it>P </it>< 0.001). GH1 therapy reversed HMW adiponectin levels to the normal levels in the alcohol-fed group. Alcohol feeding significantly reduced hepatic adipoR2 mRNA expression compared with that in the control group (0.71 ± 0.17 vs. 1.03 ± 0.19; <it>P </it>< 0.001), which was reversed by GH therapy. GH1 therapy also significantly increased the relative mRNA (1.98 ± 0.15 vs. 0.98 ± 0.15) and protein levels of SIRT1 (2.18 ± 0.37 vs. 0.99 ± 0.17) in the alcohol-fed group compared with those in the control group (both, <it>P </it>< 0.001). The alcohol diet decreased the phosphorylated and total protein levels of hepatic AMP-activated kinase-α (AMPKα) (phosphorylated protein: 0.40 ± 0.14 vs. 1.00 ± 0.12; total protein: 0.32 ± 0.12 vs. 1.00 ± 0.14; both, <it>P </it>< 0.001) and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-α (PPARα) (phosphorylated protein: 0.30 ± 0.09 vs. 1.00 ± 0.09; total protein: 0.27 ± 0.10 vs. 1.00 ± 0.13; both, <it>P </it>< 0.001), which were restored by GH1 therapy. GH therapy also decreased the severity of fatty liver in alcohol-fed mice.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>GH therapy had positive effects on AFLD and may offer a promising approach to prevent or treat AFLD. These beneficial effects of GH on AFLD were achieved through the activation of the hepatic adiponectin-SIRT1-AMPK and PPARα-AMPK signaling systems.</p

Observation of the electromagnetic doubly OZI-suppressed decay J/ψ→ϕπ0J/\psi \rightarrow \phi \pi^{0}

Using a sample of $1.31$ billion $J/\psi$ events accumulated with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider, we report the observation of the decay $J/\psi \rightarrow \phi\pi^{0}$, which is the first evidence for a doubly Okubo-Zweig-Iizuka suppressed electromagnetic $J/\psi$ decay. A clear structure is observed in the $K^{+} K^{-}$ mass spectrum around 1.02 GeV/$c^2$, which can be attributed to interference between $J/\psi \rightarrow \phi\pi^{0}$ and $J/\psi \rightarrow K^{+}K^{-}\pi^{0}$ decays. Due to this interference, two possible solutions are found. The corresponding measured values of the branching fraction of $J/\psi \to \phi\pi^{0}$ are $[2.94 \pm 0.16\text{(stat.)} \pm 0.16\text{(syst.)}] \times 10^{-6}$ and $[1.24 \pm 0.33\text{(stat.)} \pm 0.30\text{(syst.)}] \times 10^{-7}$.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, published in Phys. Rev.