Spraying exogenous synthetic cytokinin 6‐benzyladenine following the waterlogging improves grain growth of waterlogged maize in the field

6‐Benzyladenine (6‐BA, a synthetic cytokinin) could improve the ability to resist adversity. However, very little attention has been given to its role in alleviating waterlogging damages on grain growth. A field experiment was performed to investigate effects of exogenous 6‐BA after waterlogging for 6 days at the third leaf stage (V3‐WL + 6‐BA) or the sixth leaf stage (V6‐WL + 6‐BA) on grain filling, and endogenous hormone of summer maize hybrids DengHai605 (DH605) and ZhengDan958 (ZD958), which were planted popularly in China. Exogenous 6‐BA alleviated waterlogging damages on grain filling by improving grain weight and volume, which was beneficial to yield increase. Grain yield of DH605 under V3‐WL + 6‐BA and V6‐WL + 6‐BA increased by 16% and 12%, respectively, compared with that of V3‐WL (waterlogging at the third leaf stage) and V6‐WL (waterlogging at the sixth leaf stage), while the corresponding values for ZD958 increased by 20% and 15%, respectively. Moreover, exogenous 6‐BA alleviated waterlogging damages on grain endogenous hormone content by increasing levels of endogenous indole‐3‐acetic acid, zeatin riboside, and gibberellic acid, and decreasing level of abscisic acid in grain of waterlogged summer maize during grain‐filling periods. Clearly, exogenous 6‐BA improved grain‐filling characteristics, and endogenous hormone, resulting in a significant yield increase of waterlogged summer maize.     

Effect of dietary vitamin B6 supplementation on growth and intestinal microflora of juvenile golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus)

In order to investigate the dietary vitamin B₆ (VB₆) requirement for juvenile golden pompano, an experiment of six different diets with six dietary VB₆ levels (0, 3.75, 7.47, 10.6, 13.7 and 18.5 mg/kg) was conducted. The results indicated that the content of dietary VB₆ significantly increased weight gain rate (WGR), specific growth rate (SGR) and feed conversion ratio (FCR; p < 0.05). Golden pompano fed diet containing 7.47 mg/kg VB₆ achieved the maximum ALT, AST, GPx, hepatic VB₆ concentrations as well as the minimum MDA, however, the ALT, AST, GPx and hepatic VB₆ concentrations decreased while MDA increased with a further increase in dieatry VB₆. The highest values of GR and POD occurred at the 10.6 and 13.7 mg/kg dietary VB₆ (p < 0.05) respectively. A diet supplemented with 7.47 mg/kg VB₆ increased intestinal Na⁺, K⁺‐ATPase, Chymotrypsin, γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase, creatine kinase and amylase activities (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of Tenericutes and Bacteroidetes decreased while Proteobacteria and Firmicutes improved with an increase in dietary VB₆ levels up to 7.47 mg/kg. Quadratic regression analysis on WGR, hepatic VB₆ concentrations, AST and ALT indicated that the optimum dietary VB₆ levels for juvenile golden pompano were 8.84–9.28 mg/kg.     

复硝酚钠与胺鲜酯对棉花化肥吸收率的影响

【目的】研究复硝酚钠(CSN)与胺鲜酯(DA-6)2种植物生长调节剂,分别和化肥复配施用对棉花化肥吸收率的影响。【方法】通过复硝酚硝与胺鲜酯分别和化肥复配施用,采集棉花2叶期、4叶期、6叶期各20株,测定棉株鲜重,干重,以及全氮、全磷和全钾含量,计算棉花3个时期的干物质比、氮吸收率、磷吸收率、钾吸收率,与CK相比较,分析复硝酚钠与胺鲜酯对棉花肥料吸收率的影响。【结果】复硝酚钠和化肥复配施肥后,棉花对肥料的吸收率在2叶期时氮、磷、钾吸收率分别提高了10.76%、0.87%和10.4%。4叶期时氮、磷、钾吸收率分别提高了18.5%、2.34%和24.86%。6叶期时氮、磷、钾吸收率分别提高了31.14%、5.33%和35.56%;胺鲜酯和化肥复配施肥后棉花对肥料的吸收率在2叶期时氮、磷、钾吸收率分别提高了8.31%、0.85%和9.25%。4叶期时氮、磷、钾吸收率分别提高了11.51%、1.48%和15.66%。6叶期时氮、磷、钾吸收率分别提高了27.11%、4.49%和30.31%。【结论】复硝酚钠与胺鲜酯与化肥复配施用,对棉花化肥吸收率有明显的促进作用。     

Expression and mechanisms of hsa_circ_087631 in patients with primary biliary cholangitis

AIM To explore the expression and mechanisms of circular RNA hsa_circ_087631 in the patients with primary biliary cholangitis （PBC）. METHODS RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of hsa_circ_087631 in PBC patients and healthy controls. Hsa-miR-346-overexpressing lentiviral vector pLenti-EF1a-EGFP-F2A-Puro-CMV-MCS was constructed and transfected into human acute T cell leukemia Jurkat cells， and then the expression levels of hsa_circ_087631， Bcl-6 mRNA and interleukin-21 （IL-21） mRNA were detected by RT-qPCR. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to identify the interactions between hsa_circ_087631 and hsa-miR-346. RESULTS The expression of hsa_circ_087631 in the PBC patients was significantly increased compared with the healthy subjects. Hsa-miR-346-overexpressing lentiviral vector pLenti-EF1a-EGFP-F2A-Puro-CMV-MCS was successfully constructed. The expression of hsa-miR-346 was significantly increased after the hsa-miR-346-overexpressing lentiviral vector was transfected into the Jurkat cells， while the expression levels of hsa_circ_0087631， Bcl-6 mRNA and IL-21 mRNA were significantly decreased. After wild-type or mutant hsa_circ_087631 vector and hsa-miR-346 mimics were transfected into 293T cells， the results of dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that hsa-miR-346 significantly decreased the luciferase activity of wild-type hsa_circ_087631 （P<0.01）， but the regulation did not change significantly after mutation of the predicted binding site. CONCLUSION Peripheral blood hsa_circ_087631 level is elevated in the PBC patients. The hsa_circ_087631/hsa-miR-346/Bcl-6 signaling may take effect in human T cells. Hsa-miR-346 significantly reduces the expression of hsa_circ_087631， but it may not be regulated by predicted binding sites.     

云南和广东省流行性出血病病毒血清6型毒株(EHDV-6)的分离与遗传特性

【目的】分离流行于我国南方地区的流行性出血病病毒血清6型毒株(EHDV-6),掌握分离毒株的遗传特征。【方法】对设立于我国云南和广东省的哨兵动物定期采血,进行EHDV感染情况监测与病毒分离培养。通过血清中和试验确定分离EHDV的血清型,采用一步法RT-PCR对分离的EHDV-6毒株基因节段2、3、6(Seg-2、-3、-6)进行扩增与序列分析。【结果】2012—2016年,从云南省和广东省的哨兵动物中分离出25株EHDV毒株,其中,11株为EHDV-6型。中国EHDV-6型毒株的Seg-2、-3与-6均属Eastern型,核酸序列相似性分别为99.1%、98.9%和98.8%,在系统发生树上分别聚为1个独立的中国支系。在日本引起疫病暴发的EHDV-6型毒株与中国EHDV-6型毒株具有最近的亲缘关系。日本EHDV-6型毒株在系统发生树上处于中国支系内部,Seg-2、Seg-3与中国毒株的核酸序列相似性分别为98.5%和93.9%。【结论】云南和广东省流行的EHDV-6型毒株核酸与氨基酸序列高度相似;日本和中国的EHDV-6型毒株具有最近的亲缘关系,提示中日之间可能存在EHDV的流动。研究结果为进一步开展我国EHDV-6型毒株流行病学分析、致病性、病原学诊断与疫苗制备等研究提供了基础。     

长枝木霉T6菌株对美洲南瓜枯萎病菌的抑制作用

为探明长枝木霉T6菌株对美洲南瓜枯萎病菌的作用机理，采用对峙培养、显微观察、孢子萌发、室内防效测定等方法研究其抑制能力和防治效果。结果表明：长枝木霉T6菌株对美洲南瓜枯萎病菌具有较强的抑制作用，对峙培养7 d时，长枝木霉T6菌株对该病菌的抑制率为60.09%；显微形态观察表明：长枝木霉T6菌株菌丝与美洲南瓜枯萎病菌菌丝发生缠绕；长枝木霉T6菌株发酵液对美洲南瓜枯萎病菌分生孢子萌发具有明显的抑制作用，抑制率为31.00%；长枝木霉T6菌株对美洲南瓜枯萎病具有较好的防治效果，室内盆栽防效为69.06%。     

Evaluation on Inducible Effect of pOp6 Promoter n Transgenic Rice

In order to analyze the Oslbglu4 phenotype, the inducible promoter of the transgenic rice which knock-down the Oslbglu4 expression was assessed. The result showed that 30 μM dexamethasone（DEX） had the stronger induction effect than 10 μM DEX by β-Glucuronidase （GUS） staining, qRT-PCR further verified the Oslbglu4 gene deletion. The effect of DEX and its solvent absolute ethanol on seed development was measured, and no significant effect was observed. The conclusion is that final concentration of DEX at 30 μM is suitable for pOp6 promoter induction.     

Antioxidant,anti-amylase and anti-glycation potential of brans of some Sri Lankan traditional and improved rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties

Brans of 23 traditional and 12 improved (both red and white) rice varieties in Sri Lanka were screened for anti-amylase and anti-glycation activities in vitro. Varieties which showed the highest inhibitory activities at screening were further investigated for anti-glucosidase and glycation reversing as anti-diabetic properties. The same varieties were studied for selected antioxidant properties. Significantly high anti-amylase and anti-glycation activities were observed for bran extracts of red varieties compared to white varieties at screening. Traditional red rice varieties, Masuran, Sudu Heeneti, Dik Wee and Goda Heeneti, exhibited significant and dose dependent anti-amylase, anti-glycation and glycation reversing activities. These varieties also showed marked antioxidant properties. It is concluded that brans of Sri Lankan traditional red rice varieties Masuran, Sudu Heeneti, Dik Wee and Goda Heeneti may be potential food supplements for diabetes.     

Tumour necrosis factor stimulated gene 6 intrinsically regulates PD-L1 expressions in breast cancer cells,leading to modulation of tumour microenvironment

Recent studies have shown that tumour cells express tumour necrosis factor-inducible gene 6 (TSG-6) and its protein, which is known to play a key role in regulating excessive immune responses and proliferation and growth of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). It has not been confirmed whether the inhibition of TSG-6 for tumour cells can suppress tumour cell growth and regulate the activation of immune cells in the tumour microenvironment (TME). TSG-6-specific small interfering RNA was transfected into canine and human breast cancer cells (CIPp, CIPm and BT-20). TSG-6-down-regulated (siTSG-6) cells showed decreased cell proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities. Decreased mRNA expressions of NF-κB, STAT3 and Sox2, confirming that TSG-6 is an upper factor governing tumour growth and metastasis. Notably, siTSG-6 cells showed significantly decreased expression levels of CD44 and PD-L1. Direct and indirect co-culture of canine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (cPBMCs) and the siTSG-6 cells showed significant activation in M1 type macrophages and cytotoxic T cells. They also showed a tendency to decrease in the expression of CTLA-4 and increase in the expression of PD-1. In conclusion, this study suggests that the down-regulation of TSG-6 in breast cancer cells could not only suppress tumour growth and metastasis, and but also regulate TME. Since modulation of immune checkpoint proteins occurs in both tumour cells and immune cells, inhibiting TSG-6 and its protein within the TME could be novel therapeutic target for anticancer treatment.