Sorghum extrusion process combined with biofortified sweet potato contributed for high iron bioavailability in Wistar rats

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of sorghum and sweet potato on the bioavailability of iron, gene expression of proteins involved in iron metabolism and the plasma antioxidant capacity in animals fed with whole sorghum grains processed by dry heat or extrusion, combined or not with sweet potato flour with high content of carotenoids. Five experimental groups were tested (n = 7): dry heat sorghum flour (DS); extruded sorghum flour (ES); whole sorghum flour + sweet potato flour (DS + SP); extruded sorghum flour + sweet potato flour (ES + SP) and positive control (FS). The evaluations included: hemoglobin gain, hemoglobin regeneration efficiency, gene expression of divalente metal transporter 1 (DMT-1), duodenal citochroma B (DcytB), ferroportin, hephaestin, transferrin and ferritin and total plasma antioxidant capacity (TAC). The ES + SP group showed higher (p < 0.05) expression of DcytB, ferroportin and hephaestin when compared to the control group. The DS group showed high (p < 0.05) expression of DMT-1 and the ES showed high mRNA expression of transferrin and ferritin. The changes in the sorghum physicochemical properties from extrusion process reduced the iron and phytate content, and increased the gene expression of proteins involved in iron metabolism, improving iron bioavailability. The combination of sweet potato and sorghum flour (dry or extruded) improved the iron capture and total antioxidant capacity, probably due to the presence of β-carotene and antioxidant compounds.     

Effect of Kechuanning on airway remodeling and protein level of p-ERK1/2 in lung tissues of asthmatic rats induced by virus

AIM:To investigate the effect of Kechuanning on airway remodeling and the protein level of p-ERK1/2 in lung tissues of asthmatic rats induced by virus. METHODS:The asthmatic rat model induced by respiratory syncytial virus was established. The experimental rats were divided into normal group, asthma model group, low dose (0.33 mL/kg), middle dose (3.0 mL/kg) and high dose (10 mL/kg) of Kechuanning groups, and PD98059 (3 mg/kg) group. The airway responsiveness of the rats was measured by animal ventilator. The pathological changes of the lung tissues were observed by HE staining. PAS staining and Masson staining were used to observe goblet epithelial cells metaplasia and airway collagen deposition. The expression of matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in the lung tissues of the rats was detected by immunohistochemical staining. The protein levels of ERK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 were determined by Western blot. RESULTS:Compared with model group, the airway responsiveness of the rats in middle dose and high dose of Kechuanning groups was significantly decreased (P<0.01), the injury of lung tissues was significantly decreased, the goblet epithelial cells metaplasia and airway collagen deposition were significantly reduced (P<0.01), and the expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in the lung tissues was also significantly decreased (P<0.01). In addition, the protein level of p-ERK1/2 in high dose of Kechuanning group was significantly decreased compared with model group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION:Kechuanning may treat asthma by regulating the expression of p-ERK1/2 in the lung tissues and improving the airway remodeling symptoms of asthmatic rats induced by virus.     

秀珍菇原基形成相关基因PpFBD1的克隆与表达研究

前期研究中通过对秀珍菇经低温诱导后不同发育阶段样本进行转录组测序及差异表达基因分析发现,ID为Cluster-6377.64510的基因(命名为PpFBD1)在原基形成前期的样本中高表达。为进一步了解分析其表达特性及功能,根据转录组测序结果设计特异性引物,利用RT-PCR技术从秀珍菇中克隆获得了该基因的cDNA全长。该基因由342个核苷酸组成,编码一个由113个氨基酸组成的蛋白,蛋白相对分子质量约11 ku。进化树分析显示,PpFBD1编码蛋白与糙皮侧耳hydrophobin1编码的疏水蛋白亲缘关系最近。Gene Ontology功能分析表明,PpFBD1主要参与真菌类细胞壁的合成。荧光定量RT-PCR检测显示,该基因在菌丝体经低温诱导后恢复至室温阶段(原基形成前期)表达量最高,这表明其可能参与调控秀珍菇原基形成过程。本研究结果为阐明秀珍菇原基形成机制提供参考。     

不同贮藏温度和保鲜处理对黄秋葵贮藏品质及生理的影响

为探讨采后不同贮藏温度对黄秋葵贮藏品质的影响以及不同保鲜剂对黄秋葵抗氧化酶活性的影响，以台湾“五福”黄秋葵为试材，分别置于低温（（4±1）℃、（9±1）℃、（14±1）℃）和常温（（20±1）℃）条件下贮藏，研究温度对其贮藏品质的影响；采用1.0%壳聚糖、5.0 mmol/L水杨酸、0.5片安喜布、5%O2+8%CO2处理黄秋葵，研究保鲜处理对其抗氧化酶活力的影响。结果表明：（9±1）℃贮藏组的保鲜效果最好，显著改善了贮藏期间黄秋葵的失重率、硬度、叶绿素含量、VC含量、L值、呼吸强度、乙烯释放量、MDA含量、细胞膜相对电导率；4种保鲜处理均能显著提高黄秋葵的SOD、POD、CAT活性，并维持其活性在相对较高的水平；同时，显著抑制黄秋葵果实MDA含量的升高。通过研究发现，壳聚糖涂膜液处理组的效果最佳，水杨酸处理组次之并优于1-MCP处理组，气调处理组的效果相对较差。     

MYB转录因子参与植物非生物胁迫响应与植物激素应答的研究进展

基因的时空表达受转录因子的精确调控。植物在面对不利环境因素比如高温、低温、干旱、盐碱等胁迫时其细胞生理生化会迅速地从“舒适”状态转变进入“胁迫响应”状态。这种快速响应的状态转变依赖于植物对胁迫信号的感知及传递、激素通路(脱落酸、茉莉酸等)的激发、转录因子的活化等复杂的过程;最终植物通过胁迫相关基因的表达、次生代谢转变、抗氧化物质的积累等实现胁迫条件下细胞内环境的再平衡从而获得生存。植物MYB(v-MYB avian myeloblastosis viral oncogene homolog)转录因子就是上述转变中的重要参与者。本文介绍了植物MYB转录因子的结构特征、分类,综述了近些年来MYB转录因子与非生物胁迫,以及植物激素应答过程相关的研究进展。     

Verrucosamide,a Cytotoxic 1,4-Thiazepane-Containing Thiodepsipeptide from a Marine-Derived Actinomycete

A new cytotoxic thiodepsipeptide, verrucosamide (1), was isolated along with the known, related cyclic peptide thiocoraline, from the extract of a marine-derived actinomycete, a Verrucosispora sp., our strain CNX-026. The new peptide, which is composed of two rare seven-membered 1,4-thiazepane rings, was elucidated by a combination of spectral methods and the absolute configuration was determined by a single X-ray diffraction study. Verrucosamide (1) showed moderate cytotoxicity and selectivity in the NCI 60 cell line bioassay. The most susceptible cell lines were MDA-MB-468 breast carcinoma with an LD₅₀ of 1.26 µM, and COLO 205 colon adenocarcinoma with an LD₅₀ of 1.4 µM. Also isolated along with verrucosamide were three small 3-hydroxy(alkoxy)-quinaldic acid derivatives that appear to be products of the same biosynthetic pathway.     

Effect of Jieyuwan on depression-like behaviors and expression of BDNF in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of WKY rats

AIM:To investigate the mechanism of depression and its development, and to study the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats treated with Jieyuwan. METHODS:Adult male WKY rats were used as an animal model of endogenous depression. Wistar rats of the same strain were selected as control group. WKY rats were randomly divided into model group, citalopram group and Jieyuwan group. After intragastric administration for 21 d, the changes of depression-like behaviors were observed by sucrose preference test and forced swimming test. Immunofluorescence and Western blot were used to detect the expression of BDNF in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. RESULTS:WKY rats showed significant depression-like behaviors, and the expression of BDNF was significantly decreased in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (P<0.01). The reduction of neuronal axons in hippocampus was also observed. After drug treatment, the depression-like behaviors of WKY rats were significantly attenuated, and the expression of BDNF and the number of axons were increased (P<0.01). CONCLUSION:Jieyuwan effectively attenuates the depression-like behaviors of WKY rats, and BDNF is a key factor in its antidepressant effect. Our findings further confirm the involvement of BDNF in the development of depression.     

Shikonin reverses HGF-induced resistance to gefitinib in lung cancer cells HCC827

AIM: To investigate the effect of shikonin on reversing hepatocyte growth factor(HGF)-induced resistance to gefitinib in lung cancer HCC827 cells, and to explore its possible mechanisms.METHODS: The gefitinib-resistant HCC827 cells induced by HGF were treated with shikonin and gefitinibthe alone or in combination. The inhibition rates of cell viability were determined by MTT assay. The invasive ability of HCC827 cells with HGF-induced resistance to gefitinib was determined by Transwell assay. The protein levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and related signaling pathway in the HCC827 cells were detected by Western blot.RESULTS: The results of MTT assay showed that the cell activity of HCC827 cells was significantly inhibited by shikonin in a dose dependent manner. The IC₅₀ of shikonin in HCC827 cells was 3.06 μmol/L. And the IC₅₀ of gefitinib in HCC827 cells was 0.51 μmol/L. Under the condition of combined treatment with shikonin and gefitinib in the presence of HGF (20 μg/L), the IC₅₀ of gefitinib was 7.36 μmol/L, significantly lower than that treated with gefitinib alone (P<0.01), so did the result of the cell migration (P<0.01). HGF induced EMT, while shikonin reversed this effect. The protein expression level of p-AKT was significantly up-regulated by HGF, while markedly down-regulated treatment with shikonin and gefitinib compared with gefitinib alone (P<0.01).CONCLUSION: Shikonin reverses HGF-induced resistance to gefitinib in lung cancer HCC827 cells, and the mechanism may be likely related to the preventon of EMT and the inhibition of HGF-induced activation of p-AKT signaling pathway.     

鸡传染性贫血病毒VP1、VP2基因在杆状病毒表达系统中的表达

将鸡传染性贫血病毒M9905株VP1、VP2基因分别或同时克隆到杆状病毒转移载体pFastBacDUAL中，然后转化到DHIOBAC感受态细胞中与Bacmid杆状病毒穿梭载体进行转座重组，最后将重组子转染Sf9昆虫细胞，得到分别或同时含VP1、VP2基因的重组杆状病毒rBacVP1、rBacVP2及rBacVP1—2。PCR扩增结果证实VP1、VP2基因重组到杆状病毒基因组中；SDS-PAGE电泳分析和间接免疫荧光试验结果表明VP1、VP2基因在重组病毒中得到了表达。     

茶多酚(TP)对家禽免疫功能的研究

选用14日龄健康的海佩科内用仔鸡48羽,随机分成试验(24羽)和对照(24羽)两组.试验组在饲粮中添加0.25％的茶多酚(TP),研究TP对鸡免疫功能的作用.试验结果表明,TP对自然感染法氏囊病鸡,有明显提高(p<0.05)鸡血液中红细胞C_(3b)受体和免疫复合物的含量及保护鸡脾脏正常的免疫功能,同时也发现TP对公母鸡法氏囊的重量有不同影响.本试验表明,TP具有提高家禽免疫功能的作用.