Exploring photosynthesis evolution by comparative analysis of metabolic networks between chloroplasts and photosynthetic bacteria

BACKGROUND: Chloroplasts descended from cyanobacteria and have a drastically reduced genome following an endosymbiotic event. Many genes of the ancestral cyanobacterial genome have been transferred to the plant nuclear genome by horizontal gene transfer. However, a selective set of metabolism pathways is maintained in chloroplasts using both chloroplast genome encoded and nuclear genome encoded enzymes. As an organelle specialized for carrying out photosynthesis, does the chloroplast metabolic network have properties adapted for higher efficiency of photosynthesis? We compared metabolic network properties of chloroplasts and prokaryotic photosynthetic organisms, mostly cyanobacteria, based on metabolic maps derived from genome data to identify features of chloroplast network properties that are different from cyanobacteria and to analyze possible functional significance of those features. RESULTS: The properties of the entire metabolic network and the sub-network that consists of reactions directly connected to the Calvin Cycle have been analyzed using hypergraph representation. Results showed that the whole metabolic networks in chloroplast and cyanobacteria both possess small-world network properties. Although the number of compounds and reactions in chloroplasts is less than that in cyanobacteria, the chloroplast's metabolic network has longer average path length, a larger diameter, and is Calvin Cycle -centered, indicating an overall less-dense network structure with specific and local high density areas in chloroplasts. Moreover, chloroplast metabolic network exhibits a better modular organization than cyanobacterial ones. Enzymes involved in the same metabolic processes tend to cluster into the same module in chloroplasts. CONCLUSION: In summary, the differences in metabolic network properties may reflect the evolutionary changes during endosymbiosis that led to the improvement of the photosynthesis efficiency in higher plants. Our findings are consistent with the notion that since the light energy absorption, transfer and conversion is highly efficient even in photosynthetic bacteria, the further improvements in photosynthetic efficiency in higher plants may rely on changes in metabolic network properties

Qishen Yiqi dripping pills for chronic ischaemic heart failure:results of the CACT-IHF randomized clinical trial

10.1002/ehf2.12980ESC Heart Failure763881-389

Study on the evaluation of the clinical effects of traditional chinese medicine in heart failure by complex intervention: protocol of SECETCM-HF

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Experts in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) have studied the TCM subject of the pathogenesis of heart failure (HF) for several decades. As a result, the general idea is <it>ben </it>deficiency and <it>biao </it>excess. However, the clinical evaluation system which combined the TCM and western medicine in HF has not been developed yet. The objective is to establish the evaluation index system for the integration of TCM and western medicine. The evaluation indexes which include TCM items will specify the research design and methods.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Nine medical centers in different cities in China will participate in the trial. A population of 340 patients with HF will be enrolled through a central randomized system for different test groups. Group A will be treated with only western medicine, while group B with western and Chinese medicine together. The study will last for 12 months from the date of enrollment. The cardiovascular death will be the primary outcome.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>By putting the protocol into practice, the clinical effects of TCM for HF will be identified scientifically, objectively as well as rationally. The proper index system which built in the study will be helpful for the clinical effect expression of HF by integrated medicine in future.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>ChiCTR-TRC-00000059</p

Cavum septum pellucidum and first-episode psychosis: A meta-analysis

<div><p>Objectives</p><p>To investigate the prevalence and changes of cavum septum pellucidum (CSP) in first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were searched to identify eligible studies comparing FEP patients and healthy controls from inception to Feb 29, 2016.</p><p>Results</p><p>Ten cross-sectional studies and three longitudinal studies reported in ten articles met our criteria. Our meta-analysis found no significant differences in the prevalence of either “any CSP” (OR = 1.41; 95% CI 0.90–2.20; p = 0.13; I² = 52.7%) or “large CSP” (OR = 1.10; 95% CI 0.77–1.58; p = 0.59; I² = 24.1%) between FEP patients and healthy controls. However, the heterogeneity analysis of the prevalence of “any CSP” suggested bias in outcome reporting.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>The results based on current evidence suggest it is unclear whether “any CSP” is a risk factor for FEP due to the heterogeneity of the studies. There is insufficient evidence to support that “large CSP” is a possible risk factor for FEP.</p></div

Cavum septum pellucidum and first-episode psychosis: A meta-analysis - Fig 4

<p>Meta-regression of “any CSP” according to (1) the sex ratio (male/female) in the FEP patients; (2) the sex ratio (male/female) in the healthy controls; and (3) the mean age of the healthy controls.</p

Recognition by spectrum of simple groups C (p) (2)

It is proved that, if G is a finite group that has the same set of element orders as the simple group Cp(2) for prime p &gt; 3, then G/O2(G) is isomorphic to Cp(2). © 2012 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd

CSP prevalence and results of the cross-sectional studies.

<p>CSP prevalence and results of the cross-sectional studies.</p

Sample characteristics of the cross-sectional studies.

<p>Sample characteristics of the cross-sectional studies.</p

Funnel plot of the prevalence of “large CSP” in the FEP patients.

<p>Funnel plot of the prevalence of “large CSP” in the FEP patients.</p