Search

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF‐β) plays an important role in the viral liver disease progression via controlling viral propagation and mediating inflammation‐associated responses. However, the antiviral activities and mechanisms of TGF‐β isoforms, including TGF‐β1, TGF‐β2 and TGF‐β3, remain unclear. Here, we demonstrated that all of the three TGF‐β isoforms were increased in Huh7.5 cells infected by hepatitis C virus (HCV), but in turn, the elevated TGF‐β isoforms could inhibit HCV propagation with different potency in infectious HCV cell culture system. TGF‐β isoforms suppressed HCV propagation through interrupting several different stages in the whole HCV life cycle, including virus entry and intracellular replication, in TGF‐β/SMAD signalling pathway–dependent and TGF‐β/SMAD signalling pathway–independent manners. TGF‐β isoforms showed additional anti‐HCV activities when combined with each other. However, the elevated TGF‐β1 and TGF‐β2, not TGF‐β3, could also induce liver fibrosis with a high expression of type I collagen alpha‐1 and α‐smooth muscle actin in LX‐2 cells. Our results showed a new insight into TGF‐β isoforms in the HCV‐related liver disease progression.

The genetic diversity and mating status of seed production stands are crucial factors impacting the genetic quality and ecological stability of progeny plantations. The genetic homogeneity of seeds collected from a seed production population in different years has not yet been clearly described. In this study, the genetic diversity and differentiation of a seed-tree stand of 58-year-old Pinus massoniana (P1959) and four-open pollinated plantations of its progeny (OS1996, OS2000, OS2006 and OS2015) were determined by using microsatellite markers. The results showed that similar high genetic diversity was preserved in the seed-tree stand and its four progenies. This implied that current artificial seed harvesting from the seed-tree stand for reforestation does not lead to a significant reduction in genetic diversity; the F index across most loci was significantly greater than zero, indicating population homozygote excess. The pairwise genetic differentiation of the five populations ranged from 0.035 to 0.075, among which OS2015 was the most differentiated from the parent. The differentiation between the parental population and its progeny seemed to increase with increasing age of the seed-trees. This implied that a limited pollination coupled with variable within-stand pollen availability has created opportunities for both self- and foreign pollination to be successful in various periods, resulting in a seemingly paradoxical scenario of both high selfing and gene flow, ultimately resulting in gradually increasing differences in the gene frequency composition between the parental population and its progeny. Management considerations in addressing these problems in similar seed production stands were discussed.

Anthocyanins are vital components of plant secondary metabolites, and are also the most important coloring substances in wine. Teinturier cultivars are rich in anthocyanins. However, the differences in anthocyanin accumulation and profiles between teinturier and non-teinturier cultivars have not been reported. In this study, Yan 73 and Dunkelfelder were selected as the experimental materials, and three non-teinturier cultivars were used for comparison. LC-MS and qRT-PCR were used to determine the individual anthocyanin contents and the relative gene expression. The results show that the total anthocyanin content of the teinturier cultivars was considerably higher than that in non-teinturier cultivars, and the levels of individual anthocyanins increased gradually during ripening. Lower ratios of modified anthocyanins were found in the teinturier cultivars, which was not only due to the high expression level of VvUFGT and VvGST4, but also due to the relatively low expression of VvOMT in these cultivars. Cluster analysis of gene expression and anthocyanin accumulation showed that VvUFGT is related to anthocyanin accumulation, and that AM1 is related to the synthesis and transport of methylated anthocyanins. Our results will be useful for further clarifying the pathways of anthocyanin synthesis, modification, and transport in teinturier cultivars.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The gut microbial metabolite butyrate is linked to the modulation of metabolic disease. The mechanism by which butyrate effects in atherosclerosis is unknown. Hence, the present investigation into effects of butyrate on high‐fat diet‐fed ApoE(−/−) mice after 16 weeks' administration. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Gut microbiota composition was analysed via 16S rRNA gene sequencing of caecal contents. The effects of butyrate on atherosclerosis were evaluated in vivo using the ApoE(−/−) mice model. Serum lipids and glucose were analysed for physiological changes and differentially expressed genes in liver samples were identified by hepatic transcriptome profiling. The proteins involved in reverse cholesterol transport were quantified by Western blot and immunohistochemical staining. Finally, the up‐regulatory effects of butyrate on ATP‐binding cassette sub‐family A member 1 (ABCA1) were further evaluated in RAW 264.7 cells along with role of specificity protein 1 by inhibition and silencing. KEY RESULTS: Oral gavage of butyrate altered microbiota composition and enhanced gut microbial diversity that was decreased by high fat diet (HFD). Butyrate treatment significantly inhibited the HFD‐induced atherosclerosis as well as hepatic steatosis without changing body weight gain in ApoE(−/−) mice. Butyrate had metabolic effects on the liver by regulation of gene expression involved in lipid/glucose metabolism. Furthermore, ABCA1 was significantly induced by butyrate in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro and Sp1 pathway was identified as a potential mechanism. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Butyrate ameliorates HFD‐induced atherosclerosis in ApoE(−/−) mice via ABCA1‐mediated cholesterol efflux in macrophages, which suggesting a promising therapeutic strategy for protecting against atherosclerosis.

Plants play a very important role in our daily life providing us with food and oxygen. It is necessary to build an aut omatic system for recognizing plant Convolutional neural netw orks (CNNs) have become effective identification method especial ly in computer vision in recent years because they achieved outst anding performance on different tasks, such as image classificatio ns. In this paper, we have shown performance comparison of usin g the seven pretrained deep convolutional neural network(Alexne t, Googlenet, Resnet50, Resnet101, Inceptionv3, Inceptionresnetv 2, Squeezenet) that employed fine-tuning technique to retain the l ast three full connection layers and get the classication model. We applied our method to Cinnamomum Camphora leaf dataset clas sification,.the experimental results showed that the proposed met hod is quite effective and feasible.

Lignocellulosic crop wastes (LCW) are refractory solid wastes that are not biodegradable at appreciable rates in most environments, causing management of LCW been environmental concerns for years. This study investigated the feasibility of low waste emission complete LCW (rice straw (RS), rice husk (RH), and corn straw (CS)) recycling through feeding to Tenebrio molitor Linnaeus larvae (mealworms) using egested frass to produce organic fertilizers. For larvae fed RS, CS, and RH plus nutrients co-diets groups, the 48-day average specific rates of LCW consumption increased by 118.09%, 155.30%, and 87.14%, respectively when compared with that of sole diet groups. The order of the feed consumption rate and conversion rate in a mealworm farm fed on the three LCWs agreed with the trend obtained with lab-scale experiments, with RS＞CS＞RH. The forty-eight days cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin biodegradation increased by 1.48–17.61%, 4.26–11.50%, and 4.20–15.75%, respectively, for co-fed larvae. Enterococcus sp. and Erwinia sp., which previous reports have indicated are strongly associated with lignocellulose degradation, were identified in the gut microbiome of mealworms fed with RS and CS co-diets. Furthermore, the RS-fed frass quickly formed a high-quality compost within 32 days of composting, which had a germination rate ratio of 8% and 17% higher than that of WB and CS-fed frass. LCA (life cycle assessment) proved a relatively promising environmental-friendly alternative to dispose of RS, using their excreted frass for composting with low waste emissions. This study provides new insight into insect-involved crop waste utilization, and economical strategies for sustainable in situ recycling of LCWs into high-value-added products.

Granulation of nitrifying bacteria could achieve high biomass concentration in treatment system and result in the higher rate of ammonia oxidation and removal even under short hydraulic retention time. However, it is a major challenge to achieve granular sludge in nitrification stage. The addition of chemically synthetic N -acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs) into bioreactors could enhance the attached-growth of nitrifying microorganisms from sludge and followed by sludge granulation, but it is not suitable for full-scale operations due to the high cost. In this study, cellular extract of AHLs from nitrifying granular sludge (NGS) was added into the nitrifying activated sludge to investigate the effect of the NGS cellular extract on the adhesion and granulation of autotrophic nitrifying sludge. The results indicated that NGS contained AHL molecules and the exogenous addition of the NGS cellular extract could improve the cell adhesion and aggregation. Moreover, addition of the NGS cellular extract increased the microbial activity, the concentration of extracellular proteins (PN) and the biomass of autotrophic nitrifying bacteria, which eventually contributed to the nitrifying sludge granulation. Addition of exogenous cellular-based AHL from NGS in the early start-up stage is a potentially promising approach for full-scale application of nitrifying sludge granulation with reduced cost.

The purpose of this work was to study the influences of Realgar-Indigo naturalis(RIF) and its principal element realgar on 4 main cytochrome P450 enzymes activities in rats. A simple and efficient cocktail method was developed to detect the four probe drugs simultaneously. In this study, Wistar rats were administered intragastric RIF and realgar for 14 days; mixed probe drugs were injected into rats by caudal vein. Through analyzing the pharmacokinetic parameter of mixed probe drugs in rats, we can calculate the CYPs activities. The results showed that RIF could inhibit CYP1A2 enzyme activity and induce CYP2C11 enzyme activity significantly. Interestingly, in realgar high dosage group, CYP3A1/2 enzyme activity was inhibited significantly, and different dosage of realgar manifested a good dose-dependent manner. The RIF results indicated that drug coadministrated with RIF may need to be paid attention in relation to drug-drug interactions (DDIs). Realgar, a toxic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), does have curative effect on acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Its toxicity studies should be focused on. We found that, in realgar high dosage group, CYP3A1/2 enzymes activity was inhibited. This phenomenon may explain its potential toxicity mechanism.

Gayal is a rare semi-wild bovine species found in the Indo-China. They can graze grasses, including bamboo leaves, as well as reeds and other plant species, and grow to higher mature live weights than Yunnan Yellow cattle maintained in similar harsh environments. The aim of this study was to identify specific cellulase in the gayal rumen. A metagenomic fosmid library was constructed using genomic DNA isolated from the ruminal contents of four adult gayals. This library contained 38 400 clones with an average insert size of 35.5 kb. The Umcel-1 gene was isolated from this library. Investigation of the cellulase activity of 24 random clones led to the identification of the Umcel-1 gene , which exhibited the most potent cellulase activity. Sequencing the Umcel-1 gene revealed that it contained an open reading frame of 942 base pairs that encoded a product of 313 amino acids. The putative gene Umcel-1 product belonged to the glycosyl hydrolase family 5 and showed the highest homology to the cellulase (GenBank accession no. YP_004310852.1) from Clostridium lentocellum DSM 5427, with 44% identity and 62% similarity. The Umcel-1 gene was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli BL21, and recombinant Umcel-1 was purified. The activity of purified recombinant Umcel-1 was assessed, and the results revealed that it hydrolyzed carboxymethyl cellulose with optimal activity at pH 5.5 and 45°C. To our knowledge, this study provides the first evidence for a cellulase produced by bacteria in gayal rumen.

Rhizoctonia solani is the causal agent of stem canker and black scurf in potato, resulting in significant yield and economic losses. To understand the infection process of R. solani and potato responses to the pathogen, histological observation of inoculated potato was performed under light and electron microscopes, under laboratory conditions. R. solani was observed at the invasion site, for the initial infection time, and for the presence of infection structures (appressoria, infection cushions). These attributes were compared when R. solani affected different parts of the host: aboveground stems, underground stems, tubers; as well as in different potato cultivars: ‘Desiree’ (resistant to R. solani) and ‘Atlantic’ (susceptible). In aboveground stems of potato, the invasion of R. solani was mainly limited to intercellular spaces. In underground stems and tubers, the primary invasion sites were epidermal cracks and lenticels. Initial infection time was 8 to 12 h post inoculation (HPI) in aboveground stems, 8 HPI in underground stems, and 4 HPI in tubers. The hyphae of R. solani produced various infection structures, with a few infection cushions, and a large number of appressoria with different morphologies. In aboveground stems, more infection structures were found than in underground stems and tubers. ‘Desiree’ had fewer numbers and smaller sizes of lenticels, thicker cuticle and periderm, and fewer epidermal cracks compared to ‘Atlantic’. Fewer numbers of infection structure of R. solani were observed in ‘Desiree’ than in ‘Atlantic’. It was suggested that the epidermal and perithelial structures of potato were related to disease resistance, such as number and size of lenticels, thickness of cuticle and periderm, and epidermal cracks.

In this study, six N-acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) molecules (C6-HSL, C8-HSL, C10-HSL, 3-oxo-C6-HSL, 3-oxo-C8-HSL and 3-oxo-C10-HSL) were each dosed into a bioreactor and seeded using autotrophic nitrifying sludge (ANS). The effects of the AHLs on cell adhesion, nitrification and sludge granulation were investigated. The results indicated that the efficiencies of cell adhesion and ammonia removal both had a close correlation with the side chain length and β position substituent group of the AHLs. The best-performing AHL in terms of accelerating bacterial attached-growth was 3-oxo-C6-HSL, whereas C6-HSL outperformed the others in terms of the ammonia degradation rate. The addition of 3-oxo-C6-HSL or C6-HSL increased the biomass growth rate, microbial activity, extracellular proteins and nitrifying bacteria, which can accelerate the formation of nitrifying granules. Consequently, selecting AHL molecules that could improve bacteria in attached-growth mode and nitrification efficiency simultaneously will most likely facilitate the rapid granulation of nitrifying sludge.

Seed storage proteins (SSPs) are synthesized during development and the expression of their genes is under tight tissue-specific and temporal transcriptional regulation. In this review we summarize the current knowledge concerning the regulatory steps controlling SSP synthesis inArabidopsisand cereals, which involves the interaction ofcisregulatory elements with correspondingtrans-acting factors. In some cases, the regulation of SSP genes requires the concerted action of multiple transcription factors (TFs). There is an evolutionary conservation between the prolamins (the main group of SSPs in many cereal grains) and a major group of dicot seed albumins; this relates to both the regulatory elements and the TFs that are functionally exchangeable between the monocot and dicot species.

The effect of biodelignification of rice straw by two different ligninolytic organisms, Phanerochaete chrysosporium (white-rot fungus) and Streptomyces badius (actinomycetes), on humus quality was investigated during a 56-day incubation at 30 °C. Lignin degradation, the release of humic extract (HE), humic acid (HA) and fulvic acid (FA), E4/E6 ratio of HA, and humification index (HI, HA/FA) were measured during the incubation. Lignin was degraded by both organisms, but to different extents. Lignin was degraded to 41% and 31% by P. chrysosporium and S. badius, respectively. HE released by P. chrysosporium and S. badius were, respectively, 2.10 and 2.13 times larger than that in the control at the maximum values. A significant correlation between lignin degradation and humus-related parameters involving HA fraction showed that both organisms are converting lignin to humic substances.

The changes of microbial community during agricultural waste composting were successfully studied by quinone profiles. Mesophilic bacteria indicated by MK-7 and mesophilic fungi containing Q-9 as major quinone were predominant and seemed to be important during the initial stage of composting. Actinobacteria indicated by a series of partially saturated and long-chain menaquinones were preponderant during the thermophilic period. While Actinobacteria, fungi and some bacteria, especially those microbes containing MK-7(H4) found in Gram-positive bacteria with a low G+C content or Actinobacteria were found cooperate during the latter maturating period. Since lignocellulose is abundant in the agricultural wastes and its degradation is essential for the operation of composting, it's important to establish the correlation between the quinone profiles changes and lignocellulose degradation. The microbes containing Q-9 or Q-10(H2) as major quinone were found to be the most important hemicellulose and cellulose degrading microorganisms during composting. While the microorganisms containing Q-9(H2) as major quinone and many thermophilic Actinobacteria were believed to be responsible for lignin degradation during agricultural waste composting.

The last remaining population of the Crested Ibis Nipponia nippon in the wild was studied in the Qinling Mountains, Yangxian County, Shaanxi Province, central China, over 24 breeding seasons with particular attention being paid to the nesting behaviour and breeding success. The average clutch size varied significantly among years (2.84 ± 0.77; n = 271), suggesting that food abundance, which was distinct in different areas, was indeed a limiting factor. The mean hatching success was 80.2%, and ranged from 35.7% to 100%. Egg losses were due to three reasons: infertility or the eggs being addled, predation, and human disturbance. Three reasons accounting for chick death were highlighted: shortage of food, predation, and disturbance from local inhabitants. However, the overall breeding success of the Crested Ibis, which averaged 65.6%, was much higher than that of many nidicolous birds and was clearly dependent not only on the stability of pair maintenance but also on human conservation and protection measures. The relatively higher proportion of unsuccessful nests at altitudes between 500–700 m and 701–900 m was linked with the more frequent human activities, predation and lower stability of nest-trees in such areas. The fact that there was no significant variation in the number of successful nests or breeding success across different altitudinal zones demonstrated that, to a large degree, habitats used by the Crested Ibis were now suitable for breeding. The rapid increase in the species' numbers in recent years has been achieved through effective protection measures, including legislation, management of population and habitat, and regular surveys and monitoring. A reintroduction programme has been put into effect, protecting the population from a chance catastrophe such as communicable diseases within its limited range.

Crested Ibis Nipponia nippon is an Endangered species that has experienced a severe but short-lived population bottleneck in recent years. Only one wild population and two captive populations exist in China today, all of which were probably initiated from two breeding pairs rediscovered in 1981. This paper represents the first study of the genetic diversity of Crested Ibis by analysing sequence variation of a fragment spanning domains II and III of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region of both wild and captive populations. Two haplotypes were identified in both wild and captive populations, and the captive population had a bias towards haplotype 1. The species as a whole demonstrated an extremely low level of genetic diversity, with a haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity of 0.386 ± 0.074 and 0.069% ± 0.013%, respectively. Despite the rapid increase in numbers of birds under intensive management, the paucity of genetic diversity remains a real threat to the species. The mtDNA control region variations detected in the present study could provide significant information additional to the studbook data of Crested Ibis; therefore we suggest that special attention be paid to individuals with haplotype 2 when considering captive breeding management. Overall, great care should be taken in the selection of reintroduction sites for this rare bird, as species with low genetic diversity are thought to be more limited in their ability to tolerate a wide range of environmental extremes and diseases.

Production of interspecific germline chimera between quail and chicken was carried out using the cells from the central disk (CD) of the area pellucida in quail blastoderm (stage X) and the germinal crescent region (GCR) of quail embryo (stage 7-8). The cells of CD and GCR were dispersed and injected into the subgerminal cavity of chicken blastoderm (stage X). Injected eggs were incubated for 7 days or to hatching. To detect quail genomic DNA, the polymerase chain reaction was used. In day-7 embryos, quail DNA was detected in 4 gonads and 6 brains from 55 survived embryos received quail CD cells, and 9 gonads and 8 brains from 68 survived embryos received quail GCR cells. Quail DNA was also detected from eggs or semen of adult female or male chicken hatched from eggs received quail CD or GCR cells. CD and GCR cells as the donors showed the possibility to produce the interspecific germline chimera but the necessary improvement and the immunoreactive problem were suggested.

Yan73 is a 'teinturier' red wine variety cultivated in China and widely used in winemaking to strengthen red wine colour. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) applied to the grapevine cluster on the antioxidant capacity and phenolic content of the wine made from Yan73. Two hundred mg/l ABA was applied on Yan73 grapevine cluster during veraison. As they mature, these ABA-treated and untreated grape berries were transformed into wines, respectively, and the phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of these wines were compared. The results showed that phenolic content (total phenolics, tannins, flavonoids and anthocyanins) and antioxidant capacity were higher in the wine produced with ABA-treated Yan73 grapes than those in the wine from untreated grapes. Compared to Cabernet Sauvignon wine, Yan73 wine had higher phenolic content and stronger antioxidant capacity. These strongly suggest that exogenously applied ABA to Yan73 grapes can enhance phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of its wine, and Yan73 wine has the higher utilization value and potential for development.