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Mevalonate pyrophosphate decarboxylase (MPD) is a key enzyme in terpenoid biosynthesis. MPD plays an important role in the upstream regulation of secondary plant metabolism. However, studies on the MPD gene are relatively very few despite its importance in plant metabolism. Currently, no systematic analysis has been conducted on the MPD gene in plants under the order Apiales, which comprises important medicinal plants such as Panax ginseng and Panax notoginseng. This study sought to explore the structural characteristics of the MPD gene and the effect of adaptive evolution on the gene by comparing and analyzing MPD gene sequences of different campanulids species. For that, phylogenetic and adaptive evolution analyses were carried out using sequences for 11 Campanulids species. MPD sequence characteristics of each species were then analyzed, and the collinearity analysis of the genes was performed. As a result, a total of 21 MPD proteins were identified in 11 Campanulids species through BLAST analysis. Phylogenetic analysis, physical and chemical properties prediction, gene family analysis, and gene structure prediction showed that the MPD gene has undergone purifying selection and exhibited highly conserved structure. Analysis of physicochemical properties further showed that the MPD protein was a hydrophilic protein without a transmembrane region. Moreover, collinearity analysis in Apiales showed that MPD gene on chromosome 2 of D. carota and chromosome 1 of C. sativum were collinear. The findings showed that MPD gene is highly conserved. This may be a common characteristic of all essential enzymes in the biosynthesis pathways of medicinal plants. Notably, MPD gene is significantly affected by environmental factors which subsequently modulate its expression. The current study’s findings provide a basis for follow-up studies on MPD gene and key enzymes in other medicinal plants.

Glycosyltransferase gene family 1, also known as uridine diphosphate glycosyltransferase (UGT), is the largest glycosyltransferase family in plants, playing a vital role in their growth and development. In this study, 244 UGT genes with conserved PSPG motifs were identified in the genome of Quercus robur L. The collinearity analysis results showed that tandem repeat was the main way of UGT genes expansion in Q. robur, with 21 groups of 55 tandem repeat genes. UGT genes were divided into 15 subgroups A–P; group K was lost, and the gene structure and conserved domain of the same subgroup were basically the same. Cis-element analysis showed that upstream 2,000 bp promoter sequence of UGT genes contained light response elements, plant hormone response elements, and stress-related cis-elements, which indicated that UGT genes of Q. robur might be regulated by various metabolic pathways. In particular, some UGTs in group L of Q. robur contained a conserved promoter structure. The expression pattern analysis results demonstrated that UGT genes of groups B, D, E, and I were differentially expressed under Tortrix viridana L. stress. The expression of UGTs in group E decreased under stress, the expression of group L increased, and that of genes in groups D and B were different. The functions of UGT genes in E and L groups are relatively conservative, and their functions may also conserve among species. The study results have a particular reference value for further research on the function of Q. robur UGT genes.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified tens of genetic variants associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Nevertheless, the genes or DNA elements that affect traits through these genetic variations are usually undiscovered. This study was the first to combine meta-analysis GWAS data and expression data to identify PD risk genes. Four known genes, CRHR1, KANSL1, NSF and LRRC37A, and two new risk genes, STX4 and BST1, were identified. Among them, CRHR1 is a known drug target, indicating that hydrocortisone may become a potential drug for the treatment of PD. Furthermore, the potential pathogenesis of CRHR1 and LRRC37A was explored by applying DNA methylation (DNAm) data, indicating a pathogenesis whereby the effect of a genetic variant on PD is mediated by genetic regulation of transcription through DNAm. Overall, this research identified the risk genes and pathogenesis that affect PD through genetic variants, which has significance for the diagnosis and treatment of PD.

Objective The relationship between vitamin intake and the occurrence of cancer is controversial. The aim of this study was to examine the genetic associations between vitamins D, E, and B12 and five cancers (i.e., colorectal cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, malignant melanoma, and squamous cell carcinoma). Methods This study started from genome-wide association data for three vitamins (N = 11 238) and five cancers (N = 373 316). The study analyzed their associations using Mendelian randomization (MR) methods. Additionally, survival analysis was performed using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to further evaluate some MR results. Results MR analysis indicated that intake of vitamins D, E, and B12 is not relevant to the risk for the five cancers (PMR > Bonferroni-corrected P = 0.02). Some of the results were supported by epidemiological observations; some were further supported by survival analysis using TCGA data. Conclusion There is no genetic evidence to support the association between intake of vitamins D, E, and B12 and the risk for colorectal, breast, and prostate cancers, malignant melanoma, and squamous cell carcinoma.

In English as a foreign language (EFL) context, Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) has been advocated to train students’ communicative competence to improve their oral skills for decades. Nevertheless, whether CLT is appropriate for different levels of EFL learners is still debatable, especially when ‘no native language (L1)’ or ‘target language (L2) only’ in the classroom is the topic. From preschool education to higher education in Taiwan, English-only instruction in EFL classroom is recommended in order to boost effective interaction. According to some studies, some student learners are proactive and communicative speakers in CLT classroom, while others are reticent and shy learners. This study was to investigate the effects of practicing CLT in a mixed English conversion class, to examine whether L1 should be used in CLT classroom timely and if students improve their learning attitudes after a two-cycle individual action research (AR) was conducted. Twenty-seven first graders at a public se...

We applied Mendelian randomization analyses to investigate the potential causality between blood minerals (calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, and zinc) and osteoporosis (OP), gout, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), type 2 diabetes (T2D), Alzheimer's disease (AD), bipolar disorder (BD), schizophrenia , Parkinson&rsquo, s disease and major depressive disorder. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are independent (r2 &lt, 0.01) and are strongly related to minerals (p &lt, 5 &times, 10&minus, 8) are selected as instrumental variables. Each standard deviation increase in magnesium (0.16 mmol/L) is associated with an 8.94-fold increase in the risk of RA (p = 0.044) and an 8.78-fold increase in BD (p = 0.040) but a 0.10 g/cm2 increase in bone density related to OP (p = 0.014). Each per-unit increase in copper is associated with a 0.87-fold increase in the risk of AD (p = 0.050) and BD (p = 0.010). In addition, there is suggestive evidence that calcium is positively correlated (OR = 1.36, p = 0.030) and iron is negatively correlated with T2D risk (OR = 0.89, p = 0.010), both magnesium (OR = 0.26, p = 0.013) and iron (OR = 0.71, p = 0.047) are negatively correlated with gout risk. In the sensitivity analysis, causal estimation is not affected by pleiotropy. This study supports the long-standing hypothesis that magnesium supplementation can increase RA and BD risks and decrease OP risk and that copper intake can reduce AD and BD risks. This study will be helpful to address some controversial debates on the relationships between minerals and chronic diseases.

Oxidative stress is a major factor contributing to endothelial cell damage. Single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have oxidative properties; however, the oxidative effects of SWCNTs on endothelial cells are not fully understood. In the present study, we investigated the effects of oxidative stress induced by SWCNTs on rat aortic endothelial cells (RAECs). Various markers of cellular damage were assessed, such as biochemical and ES immunity indexes, and DNA and protein damage. Our findings suggest that RAEC endured oxidative damage following SWCNT exposure. Specifically, after SWCNTs exposure, non-enzymatic antioxidant glutathione was activated prior to superoxide dismutase activation in order to defend against oxidative stress. Additionally, it was found that as SWCNT concentration increased, so did the stress protein, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), expression levels. These changes may induce RAEC damage, and result in many serious diseases.

In order to study the cytotoxicity effects of Nano-Fe3O4 Particles on HeLa Cells, 50µg/mL, 100µg/mL and 200µg/mL concentrations of Nano-Fe3O4 were exposed to HeLa cells, twelve hours later，single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) was used to detect HeLa cell DNA molecule damage, the content of the malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined by thiobarbiturie acid reactive substance method and the activity of super oxide dismutase (SOD) was determined by xanthine oxldase method. The results shown that under the 50µg/mL Nano-Fe3O4 exposure, compared with the control group, neither the tail moment nor the tail DNA% increased (P>0.05), the increase content of MDA also not significant (P>0.05), but the reduce activity of SOD is significant (P

In order to explore distant-site genotoxic effect of gaseous formaldehyde on genetic material of marrow cells in mice. SPF-class Kun Ming male mice were exposed to gaseous formaldehyde for 72 hours in such concentration as 0.5mg/m3, 1.0mg/m3 and 3.0mg/m3. We applied the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) method to evaluate the genotoxic effect of the gaseous formaldehyde. The results of the RAPD profiles showed obvious differences between normal and exposed groups. The number of the varied bands increased gradually with the concentration of gaseous formaldehyde. Genomic template stability (GTS) analysis showed that with the increase of the gaseous formaldehyde concentration, the polymorphisms were50%, 39.66%, 32.76% and the GTS were 50%, 60.34%, 67.24% respectively. These results suggest that gaseous formaldehyde has significant genotoxicity and damage effect on the genetic material in marrow cells in this concentration range. Meanwhile, the DNA polymorphisms detected by RAPD technique could be used as a biomarker for detecting genetic effects of formaldehyde stress on mice.

In order to explore potential damage effect of gaseous formaldehyde on genetic material of liver cells of mice. SPF-class Kun Ming male mice were used in experiment. The mice were exposed to gaseous formaldehyde in such concentration as 0 mg/m 3 , 0.5 mg/m 3 and 3.0 mg/m 3 , the agent was administrated by continuous dynamic inhalation for 72 hours. After finished exposure to formaldehyde, observed the random amplified polymorphic DNA profiles and measured the micronucleus rate in liver cells. The results showed that gaseous formaldehyde could induce the increase of micronucleus rate in liver cells and the random amplified polymorphic DNA profiles showed obvious differences between normal and exposed plantlets. These results suggested that gaseous formaldehyde has significant damage effect on chromosome in liver cells, meanwhile, the DNA polymorphisms detected by RAPD technique could be used as a biomarker for detecting genetic effects of formaldehyde stress on mice.

For the past two decades, language center in almost every university in Taiwan has attempted to implement the notion of independent learning through online learning resources. To many student learners, the easy and inexpensive access of Internet has made innumerable learning resources provided by language centers available for self-access language learning. However, whether students have cultivated self-access learning ability through appropriate learning practices online is the main point that school authorities are eager to find out. In order to know the effectiveness of self-access learning in online resource-based context, many universities take different ways to evaluate students’ achievement. Since evaluations of self-access learning are important for student learners to know if they gradually and individually move towards autonomy, their assessments must be more objective. The purpose of this one-year study, therefore, was to examine whether selected online learning resources and evaluation methods affected students’ self-access learning attitudes and whether students cultivated self-access learning ability and learned successfully in online resource-based context. To gather the data, one hundred and twelve non-English majored students from a university of Southern Taiwan were recruited as samples and two types of objective evaluation, an assessment test and online learning records, were used in this study. Major findings indicated that language students’ self-access learning attitudes improved and they did make progress in online resource-based context. However, the training for students toward self-access learning needs to be strengthened. Suggestions were also included in this paper.

In the crystal structure of the title compound, C15H12N4O·C2H6O, molecules are linked via weak intermolecular N—H...N, O—H...O and N—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming a two-dimensional network.