Influence of paricalcitol on renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy

AIM: To investigate the effect of paricalcitol (P) on renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis and the underlying mechanisms in diabetic nephropathy (DN).METHODS: DN rat model was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin after fasting. The animals were randomly divided into 2 groups:the DN rats in paricalcitol-intervened group (group P) were injected intraperitoneally with paricalcitol dissolved in propylene glycol after the day when the model was induced successfully at a dose of 0.4 μg/kg (3 times a week); the DN rats in DN group (group D) were given isopyknic propylene glycol. Normal control group (group C) was also set up. The samples of blood, urine and renal tissue were collected after intervention of paricalcitol for 12 weeks. The biochemical indexes were measured. The renal tissues were used for pathologic observation and determining the expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), Wnt-4, β-catenin and Klotho by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. In addition, the correlation among the above indexes was analyzed.RESULTS: (1) Scr, BUN and 24 h urine protein increased significantly in group D compared with group C, while decreased in group P compared with group D (P<0.05). (2) The area of renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis increased in group D compared with group C, while decreased in group P compared with group D (P<0.05). (3) The expression of Klotho decreased, while the expression of TGF-β1, Wnt-4 and β-catenin increased in group D compared with group C (P<0.05). Compared with group D, the expression of Klotho increased, while the expression of TGF-β1, Wnt-4 and β-catenin decreased in group P (P<0.05). (4) The expression of Klotho was negatively correlated with the fibrosis area, TGF-β1, Wnt-4 and β-catenin (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Paricalcitol inhibits renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis in DN by promoting the expression of renal Klotho, and inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway activation and TGF-β1 synthesis.     

秋冬萝卜新品种晋萝卜4 号的选育

晋萝卜4 号是以雄性不育系4-01A 为母本，自交系03-37-1 为父本配制而成的秋冬萝卜一代杂种，生育期80 d（天）。地上部叶丛半直立，叶片稀疏，肉质根圆柱形，表皮光滑，出土部分皮绿色，入土部分皮白色，近1/2 露出地面。含水量适中，肉质甜脆，商品性好。肉质根纵径30 cm，横径7～8 cm，单根质量1.5 kg，每667 m² 产量5 000 kg 左右。适宜山西省及其周边地区种植。     

Persimmon breeding in Japan for pollination-constant non-astringent (PCNA) type with marker-assisted selection

Oriental persimmon (Diospyros kaki) originated in Eastern Asia, and many indigenous cultivars have been developed in China, Japan, and Korea. These cultivars are classified into four groups based on their natural astringency loss on the tree and seed formation: pollination-constant non-astringent (PCNA), pollination-variant non-astringent (PVNA), pollination-constant astringent (PCA), and pollination-variant astringent (PVA). PCNA is the most desirable type because the fruit can be eaten without any postharvest treatment; therefore, one of the goals of our persimmon breeding programs is to release superior PCNA cultivars. The PCNA genotype is recessive to the other three non-PCNA genotypes, and PCNA-type F₁ offspring are obtained exclusively from crosses among PCNA genotypes. Moreover, the number of superior PCNA cross-parents have been limited. In the late 1980s, inbreeding depression became obvious, especially in terms of fruit size, tree vigor, and productivity. To mitigate the inbreeding, a backcross program using PCNA [(non-PCNA × PCNA) × PCNA] was started in 1990. This process, however, was inefficient because only 15% of the offspring were PCNA, and all offspring had to be grown to the fruiting stage. Therefore, molecular markers linked to the PCNA locus were developed for discriminating PCNA offspring. A molecular marker linked to Chinese PCNA has also been developed.     

河西走廊荒漠绿洲过渡带沙丘不同生境沙拐枣种群扩张特征研究

本研究以河西走廊荒漠绿洲边缘关键天然固沙植物沙拐枣为研究对象,对流动沙丘、固定沙丘不同生境的沙拐枣种群扩张特征进行调查,旨在更全面地认识其种群扩张特征和对干旱高温环境的适应对策。结果表明：（1）沙丘不同生境,沙拐枣种群扩张方式存在显著差异：在流动沙丘,丘间低地和过渡带以有性繁殖为主,无性繁殖为辅;迎风坡和背风坡以无性繁殖为主;而随着流动沙丘固定,种群以有性繁殖为主,无性繁殖数量和所占比重显著下降,并导致种群数量下降。（2）不同生境中沙拐枣种群密度与年龄均呈显著负相关,种群以幼龄苗为主,种群最大年龄出现在丘间低地,为36龄。（3）流动沙丘不同生境根状茎主要为2年生,多年生根状茎长度较短;而固定沙丘不同生境根状茎年龄结构较为均衡。     

云南小麦品种（系）锈病和赤霉病抗性功能基因的KASP标记检测

利用5个锈病成株期抗性基因的KASP标记Sr2_ger9 3p、Lr34jagger、CSTM4_67G、Lr68-2、VPM_SNP和抗赤霉病基因Fhb1的KASP标记TaHRC-KASP,对云南省育成的42个小麦品种（系）进行检测,旨在筛选出含有目标基因的优异小麦种质,为云南省持久抗病小麦新品种（系）的选育提供材料。结果表明,4个材料含兼抗型成株抗锈病基因Lr34/Yr18/Sr57,频率为9.52%;6个品种（系）含兼抗型成株抗锈病基因Lr67/Yr46/Sr55,频率为14.29%;7个材料含抗慢叶锈病基因Lr68,频率为16.67%;含兼抗型成株抗锈病基因Sr2/Yr30和成株抗叶锈基因Lr37的材料各有1个,频率均为2.38%;未检测出含抗赤霉病基因Fhb1的品种（系）。云麦69、云麦75、云麦56、宜麦1号和宜麦3号等兼有2个成株期抗锈病基因,可作为今后云南持久抗锈病育种的抗源材料。     

Effects of Jiedu-Qingfei mixture on NF-κB and p38 MAPK pathways in lung tissues of rats with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection

AIM: To observe the therapeutic effect of Jiedu-Qingfei mixture on Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP)-infected rat lung tissues and to explore its mechanism. METHODS: SD rats (n=40) were randomly divided into 4 groups:blank control group, model group, Jiedu-Qingfei group and positive control group, with 10 rats in each group. The rats in experimental groups were slowly dripped with 1×10⁹ CFU/L MP solution into their nostrils for 4 d. One rat in each group was sacrificed for MP nucleic acid detection at the second day after inoculation, and the other rats were given gavage therapy. The rats in blank control group and model group were intragastrically given the same volume of normal saline, the rats in Jiedu-Qingfei group were given 8 mL/kg Jiedu-Qingfei mixture daily for 4 weeks, and the rats in psoitive control group were given dexmethasone sodium phosphate (0.5 mg·kg^-1·d^-1). After the experiment, the rats were killed. The serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected for detecting the levels of interleukin-12 (IL-12), IL-13 and TNF-α by ELISA. The right lung tissues were used for pathological observation and HE staining, while the left lung tissues were used to detect the expression of NF-κB p50, I-κBα and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) at mRNA and protein levels. RESULTS: The results of MP nucleic acid detection showed that all the rats except blank control group were MP nucleic acid positive, indicating that the rat model of MP infection was successfully established. On the 1st day of the treatment, the pathological scores of the lung tissues in model group and Jiedu-Qingfei group were significantly higher than those in blank control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the pathological scores of the lung tissues in mo-del group were significantly higher than those in blank control group and Jiedu-Qingfei group. The levels of IL-12 in the serum and BALF in model group were significantly lower than those in blank control group after MP infection (P<0.05), while those after treatment with Jiedu-Qingfei mixture were significantly higher than those in model group (P<0.05). The levels of IL-13 and TNF-α in the serum and BALF of MP-infected rats were increased significantly, while those after treatment with Jiedu-Qingfei mixture were significantly lower than those in model group (P<0.05). The mRNA expression levels of NF-κB p50 and p38 MAPK in model group were increased significantly (P<0.01). After treatment, the mRNA expression levels of NF-κB p50 and p38 MAPK were decreased significantly compared with model group (P<0.01). The mRNA expression level of I-κBα in model group was significantly lower than that in control group. After treatment, the mRNA expression of I-κBα in Jiedu-Qingfei group was significantly higher than that in model group (P<0.05). The protein levels of NF-κB p50 and p38 MAPK in the lung tissues of model group were significantly higher than those of blank control group. After treatment, the protein expression of NF-κB p50 and p38 MAPK was decreased significantly. The protein level of I-κBα in model group was significantly lower than that in blank control group, and after treatment with Jiedu-Qingfei mixture, the protein expression level of I-κBα was increased significantly (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Jiedu-Qingfei mixture may attenuate lung tissue inflammation caused by MP through NF-κB and p38 MAPK pathways.     

Attributes of wheat cultivars for late autumn sowing in genes expression and field estimates

Due to the growing interest in Central and Eastern Europe on cropping of wheat in optional late autumn terms, called facultative, genetic research and field evaluation were taken on four spring cultivars: Tybalt (NL), Monsun (DE), Ostka Smolicka (PL) and Bombona (PL), currently being recommended by breeders. The PPD gene analyze, expression level of dehydrine genes (WCS120 and WDHN13) in cooling test, and qPCR for RNA isolation and analyses of WCS120 and WDHN13 gene expression at the BBCH12 stage of wheat were estimated. Molecular analysis of PPD-D1 gene confirmed the presence of photoperiod sensitive allele ppd-D1b in all tested genotypes. The highest level of NRE WCS120 gene was detected in cultivars Tybalt and Bombona. Two-year field experimental study assessed the growth, development and productivity of facultative and spring crops of studied cultivars. Based on our results from field experiments and result of molecular analysis of alleles of PPD-D1 gene, the tested genotypes can be considered as potentially facultative genotypes.     

Cell direct reprogramming：a new technique for treating diabetes

Diabetes is characterized by an absolute or relative deficiency in β-cell mass, which cannot be reversed with existing therapeutic strategies. The restoration of the endogenous islet β-cells can stabilize the level of blood glucose. The islet β-cells can be obtained from the directional differentiation of stem cells, but the process is complex and has the risk of teratomas generation. Cell direct reprogramming, one terminal differentiated cell can transdifferentiate into another kind of terminal differentiated cell, which is other than directional differentiation from stem cells. Direct reprogramming gives rise to the generation of islet β-cells from one terminal differentiated cell, may be preferable for diabetes therapy because of its unique advantage.     

小麦矮缩病毒引起的植株矮化与赤霉素代谢的相关性分析

【目的】由异沙叶蝉(Psammotettix alienus)传播的小麦矮缩病毒病是近年来中国西北部麦区严重发生的小麦病毒病害之一。受侵染的小麦植株严重矮化,有效分蘖减少,产量损失严重。论文旨在明确小麦矮缩病毒(Wheat dwarf virus,WDV)侵染小麦植株后矮化症状形成与赤霉素代谢调控的关系,为该病害的防治打下基础。【方法】以小麦品种扬麦12为试验材料,以异沙叶蝉为传毒介体饲毒后转移到1叶期的健康幼苗(3头/株)上进行传毒,同时以无毒异沙叶蝉取食健康幼苗为对照。根据试验需要,不同时间取样备用。为保证试验的准确性,经PCR检测为阳性的作为处理组试验材料;采用间接酶联免疫吸附(ELISA)法,利用植物赤霉素(GA3)试剂盒测定分析侵染第21天取样的小麦叶片赤霉素含量;将带毒条沙叶蝉接种的小麦苗分为两个平行处理组,接种后第7天分别用GA3(浓度为50 mg·L-1)和H2O进行叶面喷施处理,每隔一周处理一次。以无毒叶蝉接种后长势一致的小麦苗作为对照组,根据株高统计结果分析外施赤霉素对受侵染小麦植株的表型变化;以山羊草(Aegilops tauschii)的内根-贝壳杉烯合成酶(ent-kaurene synthase-like 3,KSL3)的基因编码区序列为参考基因设计引物(KSL3-F:5′-ATGATGGTGAATCCGCCGC-3′;KSL3-R:5′-TTAATGGTTGATCTTTGTTT-3′),对扬麦12的KSL3进行克隆和序列分析;分别取接种后7、14和21 d的小麦植株叶片,提取RNA后反转录,以克隆得到的Ta KSL3基因序列设计引物(Ta KSL3-F:5′-GAGACATGTGCCATGGCGTTC-3′;Ta KSL3-R:5′-CGTGTCACTCAGATCGGTGGAG-3′),选择小麦翻译延伸因子1A(EF-1α)作为内参基因,利用荧光定量PCR方法分析赤霉素代谢相关基因的转录水平。【结果】经ELISA检测发现,接种21 d的发病植株赤霉素含量与健康植株相比降低了28.9%;通过施用浓度为50 mg·L-1的赤霉素后,发病植株的平均株高相比对照组显著增加35.9%;采用同源克隆得到了完整的小麦赤霉素合成途径关键酶KSL3的编码区序列,长度为1 827 bp,编码608个氨基酸,BLAST比对分析发现该DNA序列与山羊草KSL3编码区序列相似度为85.2%。经荧光定量检测发现受小麦矮缩病毒侵染后小麦KSL3表达量显著下降,接种14 d降低为对照组的35.7%,21 d降低为对照组的9.6%。【结论】小麦矮缩病毒的侵染导致赤霉素合成途径关键酶的表达量降低,可能使赤霉素合成受阻,赤霉素含量降低引发受赤霉素调节的细胞生物学过程异常,从而诱导矮化症状形成。研究结果为揭示小麦矮缩病毒侵染的致病机理和病害防控打下了基础。     

红椿天然种群分布格局尺度研究

为研究濒危物种红椿(Toona ciliata Roem.)的种群分布格局,在谷城南河流域对发现的仅有两个红椿种群(T1,T2),以相邻格子法设置5 m×5 m、3 m×3 m的样方,精确到1 m格子.通过 χ2检验、Cx的t检验、Morisita Iδ的F检验,对种群分布格局进行判断是否符合泊松分布.结果表明,T1种群在5 m×5 m、3 m×3 m样方尺度下,Cx和Iδ均为泊松分布,5 m×5 m尺度 χ2检验为集群分布,3 m×3 m尺度为Poisosn分布;干扰种群T2种群密度较大,3种检验均为集群分布.因此,分布格局满足 χ2检验的泊松分布,样方设置应注重尺度和数量;df越大,理论值与观测值更可能越接近正态分布,种群分布格局的检验更加真实可信.