Mortalin,a mitochondrial chaperone,in neurodegenerative disorder

Mortalin(mtHSP70/HSP75/Grp75/TRAP-1/PBP74) is an essential mitochondrial chaperone and is believed to regulate multiple cellular functions ranging from cell survival, cell proliferation, stress response, mitochondrial biogenesis and intracellular trafficking. Recent studies have shown that mortalin is relevant to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease(AD) and Parkinson's disease(PD). Proteomic studies demonstrate the differential expression of mortalin not only in the models of AD or PD but also in PD human brains as compared to the controls. Mortalin seems to modulates the development of diseases through association with the critical molecules such as apoE, amyloid β-protein, amyloid precursor protein(APP) in AD, and α-synuclein, DJ-1, PINK1 in PD. Mortalin may regulate PD development via the pathways involving mitochondrial and proteasomal functions as well as oxidative stress. Furthermore, it is reported that mortalin participates in the pathological processes of several other neurological disorders, such as ischemic brain injury, absence seizure and Friedreich's ataxia(FRDA).     

Effects of different doses of L-dopa on rotational behavior and amounts of cells expressing D2 receptors in hemiparkinsonian rats

AIM：To observe the effects of different doses of L-dopa on the rotational behavior and amounts of cells expressing D₂ receptors in striatum in hemiparkinsonian rats.METHODS：A hemiparkinsonian model was established in rats by pretreatment with 6-hydroxydopamine.The D₂ receptor expression were detected by immunohistochemical staining.The numbers of rotations induced by apomorphine was counted within 30 min before and after L-dopa (10 mg·kg^-1·d^-1,50 mg·kg^-1·d-^-1 or 100 mg·kg^-1·d^-1,ip) was introduced to Parkinson’s disease (PD) model rats for 15 days.RESULTS：In successful PD model rats,the increased percentage of D₂ receptor in lesioned side compared with intact side was associated linearly with the numbers of rotations within 30 min (r=0.927,P<0.01).After high dose of L-dopa intervention to PD model,the numbers of rotations decreased significantly (P<0.05),the amounts of cells expressing D₂ receptor at the lesioned side striatum decreased significantly (P<0.01).CONCLUSION：After high dose of L-dopa intervention,rotation behavior of PD rats improves,and D₂ receptor is down-regulated significantly.     

Functional change of globus pallidus and Parkinson's disease

As an important nucleus of basal ganglia, globus pallidus was concerned to involve in the neural mechanism of Parkinss disease (PD). Previous studies of PD patients and animal model indicate that neurotransmitters and receptors are changed in globus pallidus neurons, the balance between inhibition and excitation is broken in the output nuclei of basal ganglia, and globus pallidus neurons display bursting and oscillatory discharge, the synchronous tendency of neighboring neurons enhances. These neurophysiological changes are associated with PD symptoms, such as bradykinesia, rigidity and tremor, which reflects that globus pallidus plays an important role in the process of PD. In the present paper, the recent advances in pathophysiology in globus pallidus, its clinical application in treatment of Parkinsons disease, and the study direction in the future are reviewed.     

Motor evoked potential in Parkinsons disease by transcranial magnetic stimulation

AIM: To explore the characteristics of motor evoked potential (MEP) and cortical excitability in Parkinsons disease by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). METHODS: 20 normal volunteers were enrolled as control (group A), with the average age of (62.3±16.7) year old ranged from 52 to 79 years including 12 males and 8 females. MEP were assessed and compared separately between left and right hemispheres. 21 patients with Parkinsons disease(PD) in asymmetry symptoms were performed in this study (group B), with the average age of (63.3±16.7) year old ranged from 46 to 80 years including 12 males and 9 females. UPDRS motor scores (UPDRSⅢ) were assessed before the check of cortical excitability (MEP). Motor evoked potentials (MEP) was assessed and compared separately on the minor and the serious bodyside, compared to control group. RESULTS: The indexes of MEP from both sides of normal control had no significant diversity. Amp was increased and both rest motor threshold (RMT) and cortical latency (CL) were also decreased significantly in PD patient compared to the normal control. On the serious side of PD, RMT decreased significantly compared to the minor side. Amp, CL and central motor conduct time (CMCT) changed without significant diversity between minor and serious bodyside. CONCLUSION: The motor cortical excitability is increased in PD patients. The excitability is higher with the more serious symptom side. The character of MEP in PD patients may be helpful to make a diagnosis and evaluate the severity of symptoms.     

Metoprolol inhibits norepinephrine-induced rat cardiomyocyte apoptosis and connexin 43 phosphorylation

AIM: To study the effects of metoprolol (Meto) on the apoptosis of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes and the phosphorylation of connexin 43 (Cx43) induced by norepinephrine (NE). METHODS: Neonatal SD rat cardiomyocytes were divided into the following five groups (n=6 in each group): (1) control (Con) group: no treatment; (2) NE group: treatment with NE at 0.1 μmol/L for 24 h; (3) NE+Meto group: simultaneous treatment with NE and Meto both at 01 μmol/L for 24 h; (4) NE+Meto+PD98059 group: pretreatment with extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation inhibitor PD98059 at 10 μmol/L for 30 min and then treatment with NE and Meto both at 01 μmol/L for 24 h; (5) NE+PD98059 group: pretreatment with PD98059 at 10 μmol/L for 30 min and then treatment with NE at 01 μmol/L for 24 h. The beating rates of cardiomyocytes in various groups were calculated, and the viability of cardiomyocytes was assayed by MTT method. The Cx43 mRNA expression was detected by RT-PCR, and the protein expression of phosphorylated Cx43 (p-Cx43), phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) and cleaved caspase-3 was detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: (1) Separate NE treatment could significantly increased the beating rate of cardiomyocytes and reduced cell viability, while Meto showed the opposite effects. PD98059 treatment had no significant effect on cardiomyocyte beating rate, but suppressed Meto to improve cell viability to some extent. (2) Compared with Con group, separate NE treatment significantly increased the Cx43 mRNA expression (P<001). Compared with NE group, Meto or PD98059 intervention could significantly inhibited Cx43 mRNA expression (both P<001), and simultaneous treatment with Meto and PD98059 could further suppress Cx43 mRNA expression up-regulated by NE (P<001). (3) Compared with NE group, Meto significantly inhibited the increased p-Cx43, p-ERK1/2 and cleaved caspase-3 expression induced by NE (P<001), and simultaneous treatment with Meto and PD98059 could further enhance the inhibition of p-Cx43, p-ERK1/2 and cleaved caspase-3 expression by Meto (P<001). PD98059 treatment had no significant effect on the increased p-Cx43 and cleaved caspase-3 expression induced by NE (P>005). CONCLUSION: The inhibitory effect of Meto on NE-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis is related to the inhibition of Cx43 phosphorylation, which may be partly mediated via ERK1/2 pathway.     

Aerobic exercise protects cardiac function of T2DM mice by activation of PI3K (p110α)/Akt signaling pathway

AIM: To study the protective effect of aerobic exercise on cardiac dysfunction in mice and its mechanism, and to provide theoretical and practical basis for the exercise therapy of diabetic cardiac dysfunction.METHODS: The mice were divided into normal control non-exercise (NNC) group, normal control exercise (ENC) group, diabetic non-exercise (NDM) group and diabetic exercise (EDM) group. At the end of the experiment, the cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiography. The pathological changes of the myocardial tissues and the development of fibrosis were observed. The mRNA expression of ANP, and the protein levels of PI3K (p110α) and Akt were determined. RESULTS: The decrease in cardiac function of diabetic mice was observed, and the cardiac function recovered after exercise intervention (P<0.05). Under light microscope with HE and Masson staining, the myocardial structure in NDM group was in extreme disorder, cell arrangement was not neat, and the degree of fibrosis increased, but the myocardial damage was improved in ENC group. Compared with NNC group, the mRNA expression of ANP in the myocardium of diabetic mice was up-regulated (P<0.05). The protein levels of PI3K (p110α) and Akt were decreased (P<0.05), and the cascade was inactivated. Compared with NDM group, the mRNA expression of ANP was down-regulated and the protein levels of PI3K (p110α) and Akt were up-regulated in EDM group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Diabetes results in myocardial damage in mice, and reduces cardiac function. Exercise intervention alleviates the heart dysfunction induced by high glucose via activating PI3K(p110α)/Akt signaling pathway to protect the structure and function of the myocardium.     

Application of three-dimensional high-resolution diffusion-weighted MRI based on steady state in diagnosis of Parkinson disease

AIM: To explore the value of three-dimensional high-resolution diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based on steady state in free precession technique (3D-DW-SSFP) at 3.0 T for diagnosis of Parkinson disease. METHODS: Twenty patients with idiopathic Parkinson disease (PD) and 13 controls were enrolled in this study. Standardization volume, fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of substantia nigra and red nucleus in PD patients together with controls were obtained using regular MRI based on 3D-DW-SSFP at 3.0 T. The data of duration, age, clinical severity, tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia and posture stability between the PD patients and the controls were compared.RESULTS: No significant difference of the standardization volume of substantia nigra and red nucleus between PD patients and controls was observed. The FA and ADC values of the substantia nigra in PD patients were lower than those in controls (P<0.05 and P<0.01,respectively), and FA value had inverse correlation with the duration of PD. The values of FA and ADC had no relationship with tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia and postural stability. CONCLUSION: 3D-DW-SSFP can be used for obtaining high-resolution MRI image of substantia nigra and red nucleus. It is helpful for the diagnosis of Parkinson disease.     

Effect of acupuncture on mitophagy of skeletal muscle in rats with exercise-induced skeletal muscle damage

AIM: The effect of acupuncture on mitophagy-related protein expression in skeletal muscle of rats after heavy-load exercise was investigated to explore the role of acupuncture in the repairment of exercise-induced skeletal muscle damage. METHODS: Male adult Sprague-Dawley rats (n=128) were randomly divided into 4 groups:control (C, n=8) group, exercise (E, n=40) group, acupuncture (A, n=40) group, and exercise and acupuncture (EA, n=40) group. The rats in E group and EA group performed an eccentric exercise, and the rats in A group and EA group immediately after exercise received acupuncture treatment. The rats in the latter 3 groups were further divided into 0 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h sub-groups (n=8), and soleus muscle was collected at each time point. The transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructural changes of the mitochondria in skeletal muscle. The content of citrate synthase (CS) was measured by ELISA. The protein expression of skeletal muscle PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1), parkin and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) was determined by Western blot. RESULTS: After the heavy-load exercise, the mitochondria swelled and accumulated under cell membrane. The number of mitophagosomes was increased, and the content of CS was significantly decreased (P<0.05). The expression of PINK1, parkin and LC3 was significantly elevated (P<0.05). However, the acupuncture intervention after exercise promoted the recovery of mitochondrial ultrastructure, attenuated mitophagolysosome formation, maintained CS content and down-regulated the expression of PINK1, parkin and LC3 (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Heavy-load exercise causes the damages of mitochondrial structure and function in the skeletal muscle and activates PINK1/parkin pathway to induce excessive occurrence of mitophagy. Acupuncture intervention after exercise is able to alleviate the damage of mitochondria in the skeletal muscle through decreasing the expression of mitochondrial outer membrane protein PINK1, reducing the recruitment of downstream cytoplasmic protein parkin, thereby affecting the combination of LC3 and mitochondria to inhibit the overactivation of mitophagy.     

Causes and control of calcium deficiency disorders in vegetables: a review

Summary

The aim of this study was to provide an overview of the causes and control of calcium (Ca)-deficiency disorders in vegetables. Ca-deficiency is usually related to the inability of the plant to translocate adequate Ca to the affected part. Many vegetables develop unique symptoms: for example blackheart in celery, tipburn in lettuce, chervil, onion, fennel, chinese cabbage and other cabbages, blossom end rot (BER) in tomato. Ca-deficiency disorders in vegetables can be controlled by various means. The growing medium influences the development of Ca-deficiency symptoms in plants. Restriction of the root volume is one factor that favours the development of Ca-deficiency symptoms in leafy vegetables, but reduces the incidence of BER in pepper. Ca-deficiency can also be avoided by using reasonable levels of nitrogen in the nutrient solution. Cations depress Ca-uptake and distribution, while anions depress the development of tipburn in plants. Ca-deficiency can be avoided by using the recommended level of salinity for each crop. Too high a salinity level increases the symptoms of Ca-deficiency in plants. Watering helps to prevent Ca-deficiency injury, as when growing vegetables outdoors. Maintaining an optimum soil moisture level helps to promote adequate movement of Ca to the roots and into the plant. A low relative humidity during the day-time increases the Ca-contents of leaves in leafy vegetables with an open growing point, but reduces the Ca contents of fruit and the inner leaves of leafy vegetables with a closed growing point. Avoiding too long a duration of supplementary lighting, too high a light intensity, and the use of high-pressure sodium lamps can prevent Ca-deficiency injury in plants. Shading may influence the incidence of BER, by reducing the appearance of symptoms of BER. Growing plants under a far-red wavelength filter helps to prevent Ca-deficiency disorders. Avoiding high or low temperatures also prevents Ca-deficiency injury. A negative DIF value (DIF = the difference between the day-time and night-time temperatures; a negative DIF means the night temperature is higher than the day temperature) may influence the incidence of tipburn injury by reducing its appearance. Air flow to the affected parts of plants can help to avoid the symptoms of Ca-deficiency. Ca sprays also help to prevent Ca-deficiency disorders in plants. Mulches can be used to protect plants against Ca-deficiency. Some crop varieties are less susceptible to Ca-deficiency. The plant growth regulator, Cultar (paclobutrazol, an inhibitor of gibberellin-biosynthesis), may influence the symptoms of Ca-deficiency in plants by reducing the appearance of the disorders. Planting a little later than the optimum date can avoid Ca-deficiency symptoms in leafy vegetables in Nordic countries. Harvesting a little earlier than the optimum date can also avoid Ca deficiency- symptoms in leafy vegetables.     

Expression of Foxp3+ Tregs and PD1 in gastric cancer tissues and their correlation with clinicopathological factors and prognosis

AIM: To investigate the expression of Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cells (Foxp3⁺ Tregs) and programmed death receptor 1 (PD1) in gastric cancer tissues and their association with clinicopathological factors and prognosis of the patients. The correlation between the 2 molecules was also analyzed at the same time. METHODS: The tumor sections from 111 gastric cancer patients were stained for Foxp3 and PD1 by the method of immunohistochemistry. The associations of the expression levels of these 2 molecules with clinicopathological factors involved in the disease progression and prognosis were statistically analyzed. The relationship of their expression was detected. RESULTS: Foxp3⁺ Tregs and PD1 were expressed in the gastric cancer tissues, and PD1 was expressed in the tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). The expression of Foxp3 and PD1 was correlated with lymph node metastasis, clinicopathological stage and prognosis of gastric cancer patients. The expression of these 2 determinants in the patients with lymph node metastasis and an advanced clinicopathological stage was distinctly higher (P <0.05). The patients with positive expression of the 2 indexes presented a lower overall survival rate and worse prognosis (P <0.05). A significantly positive correlation between the infiltration of Foxp3⁺ Tregs and the expression of PD1⁺ TILs was also observed (P <0.01).CONCLUSION: Foxp3⁺ Tregs and PD1⁺ TILs co-infiltrate in the gastric cancer tissues, which can be used as biological markers to predict the disease progression and prognosis.     

Lipoic acid protects dopaminergic neurons in LPS-induced model of Parkinson's disease

AIM: To evaluate the effect of lipoic acid(LA) on LPS-induced Parkinson disease(PD) model of mice. METHODS: Female C57BL/6 mice of 10-month-old were randomly divided into saline control group, PD group and LA group. The PD mouse model was induced by intranasal instillation of LPS. Assays of tyrosine hydroxylase, microglia and nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB) were performed by the methods of immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. RESULTS: Intranasal LPS instillation exhibited basic characteristics of PD model. However, LA administration significantly improved motor dysfunction, protected dopaminergic neurons from damage, and inhibited NF-κB activation in inflammatory microglia in the substantia nigra area of the brain. CONCLUSION: LA may exert a profound neuroprotective effect by anti-neuroinflammatory reaction to arrest the progression of PD.     

Relationship of Ki-67 expression,microvessel density and therapeutic effect of sorafenib on patients with tumor recurrence after liver transplantation

AIM: To study the therapeutic effect of sorafenib on patients with tumor recurrence after liver transplantation and its relation with the expression of Ki-67 and microvessel density(MVD). METHODS: Thirty patients with tumor recurrence after liver transplantation were treated with sorafenib. The therapeutic effect of sorafenib was observed. The expression of Ki-67 and CD34 in the tissue samples of liver cancer were examined by immunohistochemistry. The MVD was also calculated according to the expression of CD34. RESULTS: In 30 patients treated with sorafenib, none of them achieved complete response (CR), 13 achieved partial response (PR), 8 had stable disease (SD), and 9 had progressive disease (PD). The therapeutic effect of sorafenib was associated significantly with Ki-67 expression .The mean counts of MVD were 356.45±156.13 in PR patients, and 99.39±49.88 in PD patients. A significant difference of MVD between PR and PD patients was observed. CONCLUSION: There is a better therapeutic effect of sorafenib in treating tumor recurrence after liver transplantation in the patients with Ki-67-positive expression and high MVD.     

Association analysis between two SNPs in SNCA and PARK16 genes and Parkinson disease in a Han Chinese population in Liaoning area

AIM: To investigate the genotypic frequency of rs3857059 in SNCA gene and rs16856139 in PARK16 gene for determining the potential genetic risk factors of Parkinson disease (PD) in a Han Chinese population in Liaoning area of China. METHODS: The genomic DNA from 213 PD patients and 214 matched controls was amplified in the multiplex PCR system and subsequently genotyped by digestion with endonuclease Pvu II. Genetic parameter and association studies were carried out with SPSS 13.0 and PLINK 1.07 software. RESULTS: We accurately detected all genotypes in the 2 loci with PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) techniques. The gene frequency of G allele in the rs3857059 locus was higher in PD group than that in control group with statistical significance (χ²= 7.592,P<0.01, OR=0.677, 95% CI=0.517~0.888). The T allele frequency in the rs16856139 locus was lower in PD group than that in control group and statistical result revealed a significant difference (χ²=11.511, P<0.01, OR=0.390, 95% CI=0.227~0.669). CONCLUSION: The 2 SNPs investigated in SNCA and PARK16 genes are likely to play roles as common risk factors for PD disease in the Han Chinese population.     

Effects of DHEA and G6PD antisense oligodeoxynucleotides on Raji cells

AIM:To investigate the suppressive effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) antisense oligodeoxynucleotides on Raji cells. METHODS:Raji cell line was cultured in vitro in the presence of DHEA at different concentrations ranged from 0.05 μmol/L to 500 μmol/L or G6PD antisense oligodeoxynucleotides. The viability and proliferation of the cells pretreated with dehydroepiandrosterone or G6PD antisense oligodeoxynucleotides were evaluated. Meanwhile, intracellular activities and mRNA expression of G6PD were analyzed. RESULTS:DHEA and G6PD antisense oligodeoxynucleotides does not influence the viability of cells in culture. Raji cells treated with DHEA at concentration of 50 μmol/L or 500 μmol/L for 72 h or with 10.0 μmol/L G6PD antisense oligodeoxynucleotides for 48 h had significant lower cell numbers compared with control (P<0.01). Raji cells treated with DHEA at concentration more than 5.0 μmol/L for 72 h had significant decreased G6PD activities (P<0.01) but no change in mRNA expression levels was observed. With 10.0 μmol/L G6PD antisense oligodeoxynucleotides pretreatment for 48 h, the G6PD mRNA expression levels and activities were significantly decreased (P<0.01). CONCLUSION:DHEA or G6PD antisense oligodeoxynucleotides at specific concentration have suppressive effects on G6PD activities and proliferation in Raji cells to a certain extent, but the suppressive mechanisms are different.     

Detection and clinical significance of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in peripheral blood of patients with Parkinson disease

AIM: To detect the myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in peripheral blood from the patients with Parkinson disease (PD) and its clinical significance. METHODS: The patients (n=80) diagnosed PD from January 2016 to March 2017 in our hospital and 20 healthy volunteers were selected as the subjects. According to the Hoehn-Yahr staging, 80 PD patients were staged, of whom 22 were I, 24 were Ⅱ, 20 were Ⅲ, 14 were IV, and 0 was V. Peripheral blood (5 mL) samples from the patients with PD and the healthy volunteers were collected and the mononuclear cells were isolated. The levels of CD14⁺CD11b⁺ cells and CD14^-CD11b⁺ cells in the peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometry. The two populations of the cells were sorted by magnetic beads. The mRNA levels of arginase 1 (ARG1), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) were detected by qPCR. The expression of surface membrane proteins CD14 and CD11b, and immunosuppressive factors ARG1, IL-10 and COX-2 was determined by Western blot and ELISA. RESULTS: No significant change of CD14⁺CD11b⁺ cells between the patients with PD and normal controls was observed, but the cells with CD14^-CD11b⁺ increased significantly in the patients with PD compared with the control people (P<0.05). The CD14^-CD11b⁺ cells in peripheral blood of the patients were related to the stage of Hoehn-Yahr. The CD14^-CD11b⁺ and CD14⁺CD11b⁺ cells showed high levels of IL-10 and COX-2, and the high level of ARG1 was only expressed in the CD14^-CD11b⁺ cells. The expression of ARG1 in the CD14^-CD11b⁺ population from PD patients was significantly different from that of CD14⁺CD11b⁺ population and normal subjects (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The CD14^-CD11b⁺ cells and ARG1 expression level in peripheral blood of the PD patients can be used to evaluate the pathogenesis and staging. Immunosuppression may play an important role in the pathogenesis and development of PD.     

蔬菜育苗中低温锻炼的作用与效果研究进展

摘要：为挖掘和创制蔬菜耐低温资源，促进蔬菜产业发展，综述了低温锻炼对蔬菜形态特征、细胞超微结构、膜脂过氧化、渗透调节物质（可溶性糖和脯氨酸）、保护酶的影响的研究进展，发现可以在幼苗移栽前通过低温锻炼的方法提高植株生长势，增加可溶性糖、脯氨酸等渗透调节物质含量，增强SOD（超氧化物歧化酶）、POD（过氧化物酶）、CAT（过氧化氢酶）等保护酶活性，增强植株的耐寒能力。未来，建议加强高适宜“低温锻炼”蔬菜种质资源筛选，并深入研究蔬菜“低温锻炼”分子调控机制。     

Effect of human β-NGF gene-modified bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells on rotational behavior of rats with Parkinson disease

AIM：To investigate the effect of human β-nerve growth factor (β-NGF) gene-modified bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation on the rotational behavior improvement in a rat model of Parkinson disease (PD). METHODS：The rat model of PD was established successfully and the animals were divided into 4 groups:β-NGF-MSCs group (transplanted with 5×105 β-NGF-engineered MSCs), MSCs group (transplanted with 5×105 MSCs), DMEM/F12 group (5 μL transplantation medium was injected in the right striatum of the rats) and PD model group (without transplantation). The rotational scores were assessed 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 6 weeks after transplantation. At different time points after transplantation, the rats were tested for apomorphine (APO)-induced rotational behavior and the brains of the PD model rats were examined by fluorescence microscopy and immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS：Transplantation of human β-NGF gene-modified MSCs effectively improved the behavioral performance in the rats. At the 2nd, 4th and 6th weeks after cell transplantation, the rotational frequencies after injection of APO decreased significantly in β-NGF-MSCs group compared with MSCs group and PD group (P<0.05). Both β-NGF gene-modified MSCs and MSCs survived in the brains of PD model rats, had good compatibility with the host cells, and showed no signs of destroying the host and the glial cicatrisation. The β-NGF gene-modified MSCs expressed β-NGF stablely in the brains of PD model rats, and showed obvious improvement of the rotational behavior in the PD model rats induced by APO compared with MSCs group. CONCLUSION:The behavior of the rats with PD is significantly improved by transplanting β-NGF-modified MSCs in right striatum, and β-NGF gene therapy has potential clinical value．     

Susceptibility of citrus species to Alternaria alternata, the causal agent of the Alternaria brown spot

Alternaria alternata, the causal agent of Alternaria brown spot (ABS), causes necrosis on leaves, twigs, and fruit, reducing the productivity and quality of fruits. Tangerines and their hybrids are highly susceptible to the disease. Species, hybrids, and cultivars of Citrus from the germplasm bank of the Estação Experimental de Citricultura de Bebedouro, São Paulo, Brazil, were evaluated in 2004 and 2005 with respect to their resistance to A. alternata, both through natural infection and by inoculation. Detached leaves were also used to demonstrate susceptibility or resistance to the disease. Ten cultivars of Satsumas (Citrus unshiu), and 14 cultivars of Clementine mandarin (C. clementina) did not show any symptoms of the disease in their leaves, either through natural infection or when inoculated in the field. The Burguess SRA-412, Wallent SRA-438, Carvalhais, Ampefy SRA-459, Ananas SRA, and Macaque SRA-426 mandarin hybrids (C. reticulata) did not show symptoms of the disease under natural or artificial infection in the field. Some cultivars of C. deliciosa, C. tangerina, C. erythrosa, and C. temple showed symptoms of the disease, even though no previous record of their susceptibility to Alternaria brown spot had been previously reported. The hybrids Fairchild, Nova, Page, Fortune, and Sunburst were susceptible to the disease. However, Fremont mandarin (a crossing between C. clementina and C. reticulata), Encore (C. nobilis × C. deliciosa), and Fallglo (C. reticulata × C. paradisi) did not show symptoms in field, and few symptoms were verified in detached leaves. These materials are promising for the cultivation of tangerines, and will enable genetic improvement for the development of cultivars resistant to Alternaria brown spot.     

Effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on engraftment of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells in sensitized mice

AIM: To evaluate the effects of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on engraftment of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells in sensitized mice. METHODS: Mouse bone marrow-derived MSCs were cultured by adherent culture method. MSCs combined with or without hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells were implanted into the sensitized mouse model, which was established by allogeneic splenocyte transfusion, and were divided into 6 groups: MSC intervention groups, including sensitized mice with MSCs on day 11, sensitized mice with MSCs on day 0 and sensitized-mice with MSCs both on day 11 and day 0; control groups, including sensitized mice without MSC intervention, non-sensitized mice without MSC intervention and non-sensitized mice without MSCs or transplantation of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. The survivors were assessed after transplantation and hematopoietic recovery was monitored weekly including hematological change, immune function reconstruction, bone marrow cell recovery, chimera analysis and graft-versus-host disease development. RESULTS: Compared with different control groups, MSC intervention did not prolong the survival rates of the sensitized model mice after lethal irradiation. CONCLUSION: Under the experimental conditions, MSC combined with C57BL/6 bone marrow hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells fail to promote the growth of engraftment in C57BL/6 allogeneic splenocyte-sensitized BALB/c mice in vivo.