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Background Breast milk contains complex nutrients and facilitates the maturation of various biological systems in infants. Exosomes, membranous vesicles of endocytic origin found in different body fluids such as milk, can mediate intercellular communication. We hypothesized that microRNAs (miRNAs), a class of non-coding small RNAs of 18-25 nt which are known to be packaged in exosomes of human, bovine and porcine milk, may play important roles in the development of piglets. Results In this study, exosomes of approximately 100 nm in diameter were isolated from porcine milk through serial centrifugation and ultracentrifugation procedures. Total RNA was extracted from exosomes, and 5S ribosomal RNA was found to be the major RNA component. Solexa sequencing showed a total of 491 miRNAs, including 176 known miRNAs and 315 novel mature miRNAs (representing 366 pre-miRNAs), which were distributed among 30 clusters and 35 families, and two predicted novel miRNAs were verified targeting 3'UTR of IGF-1R by luciferase assay. Interestingly, we observed that three miRNAs (ssc-let-7e, ssc-miR-27a, and ssc-miR-30a) could be generated from miRNA-offset RNAs (moRNAs). The top 10 miRNAs accounted for 74.5% (67,154 counts) of total counts, which were predicted to target 2,333 genes by RNAhybrid software. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses using DAVID bioinformatics resources indicated that the identified miRNAs targeted genes enriched in transcription, immunity and metabolism processes, and 14 of the top 20 miRNAs possibly participate in regulation of the IgA immune network. Conclusions Our findings suggest that porcine milk exosomes contain a large number of miRNAs, which potentially play an important role in information transfer from sow milk to piglets. The predicted miRNAs of porcine milk exosomes in this study provide a basis for future biochemical and biophysical function studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serotonin (5-HT) is a central inhibitor of food intake in mammals. Thus far, the intracellular mechanisms for the effect of serotonin on appetite regulation remain unclear. It has been recently demonstrated that reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the hypothalamus are a crucial integrative target for the regulation of food intake. To investigate the role of ROS in the serotonin-induced anorexigenic effects, conscious mice were treated with 5-HT alone or combination with Trolox (a ROS scavenger) or Apocynin (an NADPH oxidase inhibitor) by acute intracerebroventricular injection. Both Trolox and Apocynin reversed the anorexigenic action of 5-HT and the 5-HT-induced hypothalamic ROS elevation. The mRNA and protein expression levels of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) were dramatically increased after ICV injection with 5-HT. The anorexigenic action of 5-HT was accompanied by markedly elevated hypothalamic MDA levels and GSH-Px activity, while the SOD activity was decreased. Moreover, 5-HT significantly increased the mRNA expression of UCP-2 but reduced the levels of UCP-3. Both Trolox and Apocynin could block the 5-HT-induced changes in UCP-2 and UCP-3 gene expression. Our study demonstrates for the first time that the anorexigenic effect of 5-HT is mediated by the generation of ROS in the hypothalamus through an NADPH oxidase-dependent pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sperm-mediated gene transfer can be a very efficient method to produce transgenic pigs, however, the results from different laboratories had not been widely repeated. Genomic integration of transgene by injection of pseudotyped lentivirus to the perivitelline space has been proved to be a reliable route to generate transgenic animals. To test whether transgene in the lentivirus can be delivered by sperm, we studied incubation of pseudotyped lentiviruses and sperm before insemination. After incubation with pig spermatozoa, 62±3 lentiviral particles were detected per 100 sperm cells using quantitative real-time RT-PCR. The association of lentivirus with sperm was further confirmed by electron microscopy. The sperm incubated with lentiviral particles were artificially inseminated into pigs. Of the 59 piglets born from inseminated 5 sows, 6 piglets (10.17%) carried the transgene based on the PCR identification. Foreign gene and EGFP was successfully detected in ear tissue biopsies from two PCR-positive pigs, revealed via in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Offspring of one PCR-positive boar with normal sows showed PCR-positive. Two PCR-positive founders and offsprings of PCR-positive boar were further identified by Southern-blot analysis, out of which the two founders and two offsprings were positive in Southern blotting, strongly indicating integration of foreign gene into genome. The results indicate that incubation of sperm with pseudotyped lentiviruses can incorporated with sperm-mediated gene transfer to produce transgenic pigs with improved efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, for the first time, we evaluate the hypothesis that the proliferative abilities of satellite cells (SCs) isolated from Lantang (indigenous Chinese pigs) and Landrace pigs, which differ in muscle characteristics, are different. SCs were isolated from the longissimus dorsi muscle of neonatal Lantang and Landrace pigs. Proliferative ability was estimated by the count and proliferative activity of viable cells using a hemocytometer and MTT assay at different time points after seeding, respectively. Cell cycle information was detected by flow cytometry. Results showed that there was a greater (P<0.05) number of SCs in Lantang pigs compared with Landrace pigs after 72 h of culture. The percentage of cell population in S phase and G2/M phases in Lantang pigs were higher (P<0.05), while in G0/G1 phase was lower (P<0.05) in comparison with the Landrace pigs. The mRNA abundances of MyoD, Myf5, myogenin and Pax7 in SCs from Lantang pigs were higher (P<0.05), while those of myostatin, Smad3 and genes in the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway (with the exception of 4EBP1) were lower (P<0.05) than the Landrace pigs. Protein levels of MyoD, myogenin, myostatin, S6K, phosphorylated mTOR and phosphorylated eIF4E were consistent with the corresponding mRNA abundance. Collectively, these findings suggested that SCs in the two breeds present different proliferative abilities, and the proliferative potential of SCs in Lantang pigs is higher than in Landrace pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are an abundant class of small RNAs that regulate expressions of most genes. miRNAs play important roles in the pituitary, the "master" endocrine organ.However, we still don't know which role miRNAs play in the development of pituitary tissue or how much they contribute to the pituitary function. By applying a combination of microarray analysis and Solexa sequencing, we detected a total of 450 miRNAs in the porcine pituitary. Verification with RTPCR showed a high degree of confidence for the obtained data. According to the current miRBase release17.0, the detected miRNAs included 169 known porcine miRNAs, 163 conserved miRNAs not yet identified in the pig, and 12 potentially new miRNAs not yet identified in any species, three of which were revealed using Northern blot. The pituitary might contain about 80.17% miRNA types belonging to the animal. Analysis of 10 highly expressed miRNAs with the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) indicated that the enriched miRNAs were involved not only in the development of the organ but also in a variety of inter-cell and inner cell processes or pathways that are involved in the function of the organ. We have revealed the existence of a large number of porcine miRNAs as well as some potentially new miRNAs and established for the first time a comprehensive miRNA expression profile of the pituitary. The pituitary gland contains unexpectedly many miRNA types and miRNA actions are involved in important processes for both the development and function of the organ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past 30 years, Chinese society has undergone an enormous social transition. Along with the rise of a private economy, private business owners have emerged as a new social stratum, which attracts academic attention domestically and internationally. As for the social origins of the private business owners, some of the private business owners are former cadres and current members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). A question rarely pursued is what effects these ties have on political participation of private business owners. The paper explores this question on the basis of data gathered in a representative survey of private enterprises in 2006. The study shows that the Chinese private business owners have diverse social origins, and their behavior in terms of political participation is also distinct in some ways. When it comes to the patterns of political participation of the private business owners, CCP members and former officials among private business owners indeed have unique characteristics in their access to political resources, but the patterns of political participation vary between these two groups. Furthermore, there are also considerable differences between members of the CCP and democratic parties in China in these respects. These findings cast doubt on the common use of CCP membership and occupational experience as cadre as interchangeable indicators for the "political capital" of business owners. A more differentiated understanding of the nature of political capital and mechanisms by which it is put to use by private entrepreneurs in China is called for. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibody-targeted superantigen has been developed into a new strategy to treat many malignant tumors. In this study, for specific targeting to gastric cancer cell, superantigen SEB (Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B) was genetically fused to the single-chain variable fragment of gastric carcinoma-associated antibody MG7(MG7-scFv) that recognizes the MG7 antigen frequently expressed in gastric cancer cell. The recombinant MG7-scFv/SEB fusion proteins are expressed in E. coli as inclusion bodies, and the purified MG7-scFv/SEB retains high binding affinity with gastric cancer cell SGC-7901 (positiveMG7 antigen expression).When incubated with effector cell-peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), MG7-scFv/SEB could effectively inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of SGC-7901. After being treated with MG7-scFv/SEB, PBMCs remarkably increased the production of Th1 cytokines (IFN-gamma, IL-2), and slightly increased the production of Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-10) in vitro. It was observed that gastric-tumor-bearing rats administrated with MG7-scFv/SEB showed more inflammatory cell infiltration, more significant tumor inhibition, and longer survival time than those of rats treated with SEB or NS (Normal Saline). The data indicated that MG7- scFv/SEB fusion protein could specifically target gastric cancer cell, enhance the activity of T cells and induce tumor cell apoptosis to exert the antitumor effect on gastric cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To explore the neuroprotective effect of Edaravone for patients presenting with crescendo transient ischemic attack (TIA) and non-crescendo TIA respectively. Methods 80 patients in our hospital from 2004 to 2009 were diagnosed as crescendo TIA (n=40) and non-crescendo TIA (n=40) according to the latest Chinese guideline for stroke. Crescendo TIA patients were divided into two groups:Edaravone group (received combined therapy by Edaravone and Ozagrel sodium and low molecular weight calcium-heparin) and control group (received therapy only by Ozagrel sodium and low molecular weight calcium-heparin). The same procedure was carried out for the non-crescendo TIA patients. The cases of stroke in three months and lesion of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head were recorded and the data was analyzed using Chi-square test. Results For the crescendo TIA patients, 1 out of the 20 receiving Edaravone therapy suffered stroke, 7 out of the 20 not receiving Edaravone therapy suffered stroke. There was significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). For non-crescendo TIA patients, 1 out of the 20 receiving Edaravone therapy suffered stroke,3 out of the 20 not receiving Edaravone therapy suffered stroke. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Edaravone as supplementary treatment might help reduce the stroke rate and protect the brain free of infarction for crescendo TIA patients;it was not necessarily recommended that Edaravone be used in non-crescendo TIA patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the effects of shrubification—the global phenomena of an increase of shrubs in grasslands—on C, N, and P cycles, the changes in soil organic C, N, and P mineralization in an alpine meadow were compared across five plant communities: grasses and four shrub species–dominated patches. The nutrient content and stoichiometry (C:N:P) of leaves, litter, microbial biomass, and soil organic matter (SOM) were analyzed during vegetation season. Net rates of N and P mineralization were measured in situ in the top 20 cm of soil throughout the growing season, and organic C mineralization was determined under controlled conditions. Microbial C:N, C:P, and N:P ratios in the top 20 cm generally decreased with increasing plant size (height combined with crown diameter), associated with greater input of litter with lower C:nutrient ratios under shrubs. The net N and P mineralization rates in soil under shrubs were about 3- to sevenfold and 4- to 15-fold faster, respectively, compared with those under grasses. The increase in organic C mineralization under shrubs compared with that under grasses was much smaller than the increase of N or P mineralization under shrubs. This indicates faster turnover of nutrients than C leading to decoupling of organic C and nutrient mineralization across plant communities by shrubification. The C:N, C:P, and N:P ratios of organic pools mineralized in soil decreased with increasing plant size, but increased with respective microbial C:N, C:P, and N:P ratios across plant communities. This indicates that specific SOM pools were mineralized depending on plant communities and microbial stoichiometry in soil. Consequently, the decoupling of organic C and nutrient mineralization across plant communities is driven by microbial stoichiometry and increases by shrubification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a regional preference around lymph nodes (LNs) for adipose beiging. Here, we show that local LN removal within inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT) greatly impairs cold-induced beiging, and this impairment can be restored by injecting M2 macrophages or macrophage-derived C-C motif chemokine (CCL22) into iWAT. CCL22 injection into iWAT effectively promotes iWAT beiging, while blocking CCL22 with antibodies can prevent it. Mechanistically, the CCL22 receptor, C-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4), within eosinophils and its downstream focal adhesion kinase/p65/interleukin-4 signaling are essential for CCL22-mediated beige adipocyte formation. Moreover, CCL22 levels are inversely correlated with body weight and fat mass in mice and humans. Acute elevation of CCL22 levels effectively prevents diet-induced body weight and fat gain by enhancing adipose beiging. Together, our data identify the CCL22-CCR4 axis as an essential mediator for LN-controlled adaptive thermogenesis and highlight its potential to combat obesity and its associated complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pathogens and inflammatory conditions rapidly induce the expression of immune-responsive gene 1 (IRG1) in cells of myeloid lineage. IRG1 encodes an aconitate decarboxylase (ACOD1) that produces the immunomodulatory metabolite itaconate (ITA). In addition to rapid intracellular accumulation, ITA is also secreted from the cell, but whether secreted ITA functions as a signaling molecule is unclear. Here, we identified ITA as an orthosteric agonist of the GPCR OXGR1, with an EC50 of approximately 0.3 mM, which was in the same range as the physiological concentration of extracellular ITA upon macrophage activation. ITA activated OXGR1 to induce Ca2+ mobilization, ERK phosphorylation, and endocytosis of the receptor. In a mouse model of pulmonary infection with bacterial Pseudomonas aeruginosa, ITA stimulated Oxgr1- dependent mucus secretion and transport in respiratory epithelium, the primary innate defense mechanism of the airway. Our study thus identifies ITA as a bona fide ligand for OXGR1 and the ITA/OXGR1 paracrine signaling pathway during the pulmonary innate immune response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

So far, there have a lot of drugs can treatment of type 2 diabetes in the world, but have not any drugs can complete cure type 2 diabetes. Patients will oral or inject administration of drugs for life. We find one natural compound, it is called N-gs6 as code name, it has effect to reduce blood glucose, and may it have a potential ability to complete cure the type 2 diabetes. In regards to the testing, type 2 diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats by a single dose of STZ(60mg/kg). 5 days later, after verifying that blood sugar level was sufficiently high, the test material N-gs6 was administered for 7 days. Wistar rats (n= 10) were intubated with N-gs6 (0, 1.2g/kg body weight with drug) daily. The glucose of treated rats was 19.39±6.064 (mmol/L) compared to 27.14±1.154 (mmol/L) for the untreated diabetic rate (n=10, P<0.01). The research found that evidence is clear the compound reduce blood glucose when administered to rats by orally. N-gs6 has extremely low toxicity, LD50 for 6.5g/kg, its high biological safety are suitable for oral use. Later, the N-gs6 showed some unusual character in a clinic of less in amount. It not only reduce glucose but also can treatment of postprandial hypoglycemia; Peak value of glucose lingered of some patients from 1.25h back to 0.75h gradually; its effect is strong and balanced; Surprisingly, part of patients can stop any drugs orally at lunch and dinner intermittently after oral administration of N-gs6, but still do not stop drug by oral at breakfast now. One interpretation would be that the natural compound drug is new agent which with different mechanisms of action comparing other drugs. It is guess that a reflex or contact should be established along with time-lapse, patients with type 2 diabetes may stop administration of any drugs after administration of N-gs6 orally for a long-term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A novel ultra-stable Zr(IV)-MOF (HBU-20) was synthesized by solvothermal method. • HBU-20 shows highly efficient capture of SO 2 over CO 2 and CH 4. • Theoretical simulations exhibit the importance of host–guest weak interactions. • Gas breakthrough experiments prove its' application in deep desulfurization. Flue gas and natural gas deep desulfurization is still very challenging, so new absorbent is highly desired. In this work, a novel stable porous Zr(IV)-MOF (HBU-20) has been designed and synthesized. HBU-20 possesses a high BET surface area of 1551.1 m2/g and the pore volume achieves 0.896 cm3/g. More importantly, the compound shows a high SO 2 adsorption capacity of 6.69 mmol/g at 298 K and 100 kPa, and the higher IAST selectivitives of SO 2 /CO 2 (v/v, 1:99, 56.7) and SO 2 /CH 4 (v/v 1:99, 246) have been accordingly obtained. Theoretical simulations proved host–guest interactions should be responsible for efficient SO 2 capture. Furthermore, the excellent separation performance of HBU-20 had also been evaluated by dynamic breakthrough experiments under ambient condition. The experimental selectivities of SO 2 /CO 2 and SO 2 /CH 4 (v/v 1:99) achieve 81.1 and 117.6, respectively. The research indicates HBU-20 is a promising absorbent for deep desulfurization of flue gas and natural gas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article demonstrates the beneficial effects of alpha-ketoglutaric acid (AKG) on glucose homeostasis in a diet-induced obesity mouse model. It further demonstrates that the transcriptomic and liver-specific serpina1e deletion mouse model is required for the inhibitory effects of AKG on hepatic gluconeogenesis. Topics discussed include blood glucose, extracellular AKG binding with a purinergic receptor, and demethylation of lysine 27 on histone 3 in the seprina1e promoter region.

Globally, grasslands are experiencing shrub expansion, but the effects of such plant community shifts on soil N cycling are seldom investigated. We explored the spatial heterogeneity of total soil N content by grid sampling down to a soil depth of 1.2 m, and analyzed net ammonification and nitrification rates in the top 0.2 m, during the growing season, in response to the patchiness of grasses and four shrub species in a grazed meadow on the Tibetan Plateau. The δ15N analyses of plant, soil, and mineral N (NH 4 + and NO 3 −) revealed differences in N absorption strategies between shrubs and grasses. Heterogeneity in the total soil N distribution was common to at least a depth of 1.2 m. The lower δ15N values of the 1.2 m soil profile under shrubs were consistent with the lower δ15N values of leaves, aboveground litter, and roots of shrubs compared to grasses, reflecting the imprint of long-term N cycling in the soil as affected by shrubs. Increases in total soil N stock in the entire 1.2 m profile by 28%–32% under non-leguminous shrubs relative to grasses were ascribed to N accumulation in the lower 0.8 m. Consequently, deep sampling is essential for accurate estimation of soil N storage in shrubby meadows. The total N stock in soil under the leguminous shrub species was similar to that under grasses, which showed that the effect of shrubification on soil N storage depends on the shrub species. Nitrification rates in the topsoil under all shrubs were greater than under grasses, producing higher 15N-depleted NO 3 − contents under shrubs. Therefore, the lower δ15N signatures of shrub tissues compared to grasses reflected a preferential or adaptive uptake of NO 3 − by shrubs. The expansion of shrubs in grasslands creates high heterogeneity in N cycling and storage down to a considerable soil depth. [Display omitted] • Spatial variation of N stock is common up to a depth of 1.2 m in shrubby meadows. • Shrubs increase soil ammonification and nitrification compared with grasses. • Shrubs deplete 15N of mineral N pools by increasing nitrification relative to grasses. • Shrubs lower δ15N in tissues by uptake of 15N-depleted NO 3 − relative to grasses. • Shrubification creates significant heterogeneity in N cycling in grasslands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We measure the rovibronic transitions X1 Σ+, v" = 0, J" → A1 Σ+, v' = 0-3, J' of CaH+ and obtain rotational constants for the A1 Σ+ state. The spectrum is obtained using two-photon photodissociation of CaH+ cotrapped with Doppler cooled Ca+. The excitation is driven by a mode-locked, frequency-doubled Ti:Sapph laser, which is then pulse shaped to narrow the spectral bandwidth. The measured values of the rotational constants are in agreement with ab initio theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The zinc(II) complex (C2H6NS)2Zn·ZnCl2 was synthesized with 2-aminoethanethiol hydrochloride and zinc sulfate heptahydrate as the raw materials in aqueous solution. The composition and structure of the complex were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectra, single crystal X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetry. The crystal structure of the zinc(II) complex belongs to monoclinic system, space group P 21/n, with cell parameters of a = 0.84294(4), b = 0.83920(4), c = 1.65787(8) nm, Z=2, and D = 2.041 g/cm3. In this paper, the interaction of complex with Ct-DNA was investigated by UV-visible and viscosimetric techniques. Upon addition of the complex, important changes were observed in the characteristic UV-Vis bands (hyperchromism) of calf thymus DNA and some changes in specific viscosity. The experimental results showed that the complex is bound to DNA intercalative (intercalation binding).

• Shrubs increase SOC content but decrease bulk density relative to grasses. • Shrubs doesn't increase SOC stock in the top 0.4 m soil relative to grasses. • Shrubs increase SOC stock in the lower profile compared with grasses. • Shallow sampling is insufficient for accurate estimation of SOC storage in shrubby meadows. The distribution of shrubs is expanding in grasslands of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau, but research is rare on the effects of this expansion on the storage of soil organic carbon (SOC). We explored the spatial heterogeneity of SOC by grid sampling in the upper 1.2 m soil profile in a grazed alpine shrubby meadow, in response to patchy distribution of shrub species (leguminous Caragana brevifolia and non-leguminous Potentilla fruticose , Spiraea alpina and Salix oritrepha). The SOC content in the top 0.4 m increased with the size (height and crown diameter) of shrubs, but the soil bulk density decreased with the size of the shrubs. As a result, the SOC stock in the top 0.4 m soil was generally similar among shrub and grass patches across the meadow. The increase in the SOC stock in the entire 1.2 m profile by 35 % under non-leguminous shrubs P. fruticosa , S. alpina and S. oritrepha (39.8–40.5 kg m−2) compared with grasses (29.7 kg m−2) was mainly due to the SOC accumulation at the lower 0.4–1.2 m. The leguminous shrub C. brevifolia did not affect the SOC stock in the 1.2 m soil (32.3 kg m−2) compared with the grasses. Consistent patterns of changes in the natural δ13C signature between plants and SOC across different types of vegetation patches provided robust evidence that the heterogeneity of SOC across the field was a result of the patchy distribution of vegetation. We emphasize the importance of soil sampling depth in assessing the impact of shrubification on SOC storage. The influence depth of shrubification on SOC storage is at least 1.2 m in the profile in grazed Qinghai–Tibetan grasslands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estrogen receptor-α (ERα) activity in the brain prevents obesity in both males and females. However, the ERα-expressing neural populations that regulate body weight remain to be fully elucidated. Here we showed that single-minded-1 (SIM1) neurons in the medial amygdala (MeA) express abundant levels of ERα. Specific deletion of the gene encoding ERa (FsrT) from SIM1 neurons, which are mostly within the MeA, caused hypoactivity and obesity in both male and female mice fed with regular chow, increased susceptibility to diet-induced obesity (DIO) in males but not in females, and blunted the body weight-lowering effects of a glucagon-like peptide-1-estrogen (GLP-1-estrogen) conjugate. Furthermore, selective adeno-associated virus-mediated deletion of Esrl in the MeA of adult male mice produced a rapid body weight gain that was associated with remarkable reductions in physical activity but did not alter food intake. Conversely, overexpression of ERa in the MeA markedly reduced the severity of DIO in male mice. Finally, an ERa agonist depolarized MeA SIM1 neurons and increased their firing rate, and designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drug-mediated (DREADD-mediated) activation of these neurons increased physical activity in mice. Collectively, our results support a model where ERa signals activate MeA neurons to stimulate physical activity, which in turn prevents body weight gain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fasting-induced hypothalamic metabolic reprogramming is involved in regulating energy homeo-stasis and appetite in mammals, but this phenomenon remains unclear in poultry. In this study, the expression patterns of a panel of genes related to neuropeptides, glucose, and lipid metabolism enzymes in the hypo-thalamus of chickens during fasting and refeeding were characterized by microarray analysis and quantitative PCR. Results showed that 48 h of fasting upregulated (P < 0.05) the mRNA expressions of orexigenic neu-ropeptide Y and agouti-related protein but downreg-ulated (P < 0.05) that of anorexigenic neuropeptide pro-opiomelanocortin; growth hormone-releasing hor-mone; islet amyloid polypeptide; thyroid-stimulating hormone, β; and glycoprotein hormones, a polypeptide. After 48 h of fasting, the mRNA expression of fatty acid β-oxidation [peroxisome proliferator-activated re-ceptor a (PPARα), carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A, and forkhead box 01], energy sensor protein [sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and forkhead box Ol], and glycolysis inhibitor (pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase, isozyme 4) were en-hanced, but that of fatty acid synthesis and transport associated genes (acetyl-CoA carboxylase a, fatty acid synthase, apolipoprotein A-I, endothelial lipase, and fatty acid binding protein 7) were suppressed. Liver and muscle also demonstrated similar expression patterns of genes related to glucose and lipid metabolism with hypothalamus, except for that of α, cetyl-CoA carboxyl-ase a, acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4, and apolipoprotein A-I. The results of intracerebro-ventricular (ICV) injection experiments confirmed that a-lipoic acid (ALA, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase, isozyme 4 inhibitor, 0.10 μ,mol) and NADH (SIRT1 in-hibitor, 0.80 μmol) significantly suppressed the appe-tite of chickens, whereas 2-deoxy-D-glucose (glycolytic inhibitor, 0.12 to 1.20 μmol) and NAD+ (SIRT1 activa-tor, 0.08 to 0.80 μmol) increased feed intake in chick-ens. The orexigenic effect of NAD+ was also blocked by cotreatment with NADH. However, ICV injection of either GW7647 (PPARa agonist) or GW6471 (PPARα antagonist) showed no effects on feed intake. Results suggested that hypothalamic glycolysis (inhibited by ALA and promoted by 2-deoxy-D-glucose) and SIRT1 (inhibited by NADH and promoted by NAD+), not PPARα, were probably involved in feed intake regula-tion in chickens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Octadecanoic acid-3,4-tetrahydrofuran diester, isolated from neem (Azadirachta indica) oil, exhibited potent acaricidal activity against Sarcoptes scabiei var. cuniculi. In this paper, the acaricidal mechanism of octadecanoic acid-3,4-tetrahydrofuran diester against Sarcoptes scabiei var. cuniculi was evaluated based on pathologic histology and enzyme activities. The results showed that after compound treatment for 24 h at a concentration of 20 mg/mL, the lesions of mites were prominent under transmission electron microscopy. The lesions consisted of the lysis of dermis cell membranes and cell nuclear membranes, mitochondrial morphological abnormalities, the drop of spinal disorders, and mitochondrial vacuolization. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), glutathione-s-transferases (GSTs), and Ca2+-ATPase of mites significantly changed after treatment with octadecanoic acid-3,4-tetrahydrofuran diester compared with the control group. The activities of SOD, POD, and Ca2+-ATPase were significantly suppressed, whereas that of GSTs was activated. These results indicated that the mechanism of the acaricidal activity of octadecanoic acid-3,4-tetrahydrofuran diester was mainly achieved through interference with the energy metabolism of mites, thus resulting in insect death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hesperidin (HDN) is a citrus bioflavonoid, which widely exists in many plants. Previous researches have proved that HDN has several functions such as anti-oxidant, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, immune regulation and so on. In the present study, we explored the protective effects of HDN on concanavalin A (Con A)-induced hepatic injury. Acute hepatic injury model was established successfully by intravenous administration of Con A (15mg/kg) in male C57BL/6 mice, and HDN was pretreated for 10days before Con A challenge. It was found that the hepatic injury was notably improved in HDN pretreated mice. Furthermore, hepatic oxidative stress and the production of proinflammatory cytokines including TNF-α and IFN-&#947 were decreased by HDN pretreatment. More importantly, compared with Con A-treated mice, the expression and releasing of HMGB1 and T-cell activation were markedly reduced in HDN pretreated mice. Thus, these results suggest that HDN protects mice from Con A-induced hepatic injury by suppressing hepatocyte oxidative stress, producing cytokines, expressing and releasing HMGB1 and activating T cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus ) is a common gram-positive bacterium that causes serious infections in humans and animals. With the continuous emergence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains, antibiotics have limited efficacy in treating MRSA infections. Accordingly, novel agents that act on new targets are desperately needed to combat these infections. S. aureus alpha-hemolysin plays an indispensable role in its pathogenicity. In this study, we demonstrate that sclareol, a fragrant chemical compound found in clary sage, can prominently decrease alpha-hemolysin secretion in S. aureus strain USA300 at sub-inhibitory concentrations. Hemolysis assays, western-blotting, and RT-PCR were used to detect the production of alpha-hemolysin in the culture supernatant. When USA300 was co-cultured with A549 epithelial cells, sclareol could protect the A549 cells at a final concentration of 8 μg/ml. The protective capability of sclareol against the USA300-mediated injury of A549 cells was further shown by cytotoxicity assays and live/dead analysis. In conclusion, sclareol was shown to inhibit the production of S. aureus alpha-hemolysin. Sclareol has potential for development as a new agent to treat S. aureus infections.

Background: α-galactosidase has been widely used in animal husbandry to reduce anti-nutritional factors (such as α-galactoside) in feed. Intestine-specific and substrate inducible expression of α-galactosidase would be highly beneficial for transgenic animal production., Methods: To achieve the intestine-specific and substrate inducible expression of α-galactosidase, we first identified intestine-specific promoters by comparing the transcriptional activity and tissue specificity of four intestine-specific promoters from human intestinal fatty acid binding protein, rat intestinal fatty acid binding protein, human mucin-2 and human lysozyme. We made two chimeric constructs combining the promoter and enhancer of human mucin-2, rat intestinal trefoil factor and human sucrase-isomaltase. Then a modified lac operon system was constructed to investigate the induction of α-galactosidase expression and enzyme activity by isopropyl β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) and an α-galactosidase substrate, α-lactose.We declared that the research carried out on human (Zhai Yafeng) was in compliance with the Helsinki Declaration, and experimental research on animals also followed internationally recognized guidelines., Results: The activity of the human mucin-2 promoter was about 2 to 3 times higher than that of other intestine-specific promoters. In the lac operon system, the repressor significantly decreased (P < 0.05) luciferase activity by approximately 6.5-fold and reduced the percentage of cells expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) by approximately 2-fold. In addition, the expression level of α-galactosidase mRNA was decreased by 6-fold and α-galactosidase activity was reduced by 8-fold. In line with our expectations, IPTG and α-lactose supplementation reversed (P < 0.05) the inhibition and produced a 5-fold increase of luciferase activity, an 11-fold enhancement in the percentage of cells with GFP expression and an increase in α-galactosidase mRNA abundance (by about 5-fold) and α-galactosidase activity (by about 7-fold)., Conclusions: We have successfully constructed a high specificity inducible lac operon system in an intestine-derived cell line, which could be of great value for gene therapy applications and transgenic animal production.