Effects of apelin-13 on oxidative stress induced by high uric acid in adipocytes

AIM: To study the effects of apelin-13 on oxidative stress induced by high uric acid in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and its underlying mechanisms. METHODS: 3T3-L1 adipocytes were stimulated with uric acid at 10 mg/dL for 48 h. Some of the adipocytes were administered with 1 μmol/L apelin-13 in the presence of uric acid at 10 mg/dL. The adipocytes stimulated with 100 μmol/L H₂O₂ were served as positive controls. The intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentrations were detected by flow cytometry. The biochemical kits were used to measure the activities of superotide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT) and NADPH oxidase (NOX) activity, and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the cell lysate and the supernatant. The mRNA levels of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) components, including angiotensinogen (AGT), angiotensin-converting enzyrne1 (ACE1), angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and AT2R, as well as angiotensin II receptor -like 1 (APJ) were measured by real-time PCR. The concentrations of angiotensin II (AngⅡ) in the cell lysate and the supernatant were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Adipocytes stimulated with uric acid at 10 mg/dL had lower activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GSH-PX and CAT) and higher levels of NOX activity and MDA content (P < 0.05). Accordingly, the intracellular ROS levels were found to be dramatically increased. However, apelin-13 administration attenuated uric acid-induced oxidative stress in the 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Uric acid at 10 mg/dL upregulated the mRNA expression of local RAS, enhanced AngⅡ concentrations both in the cell lysate and the supernatant, and down-regulated the mRNA level of APJ in the adipocytes (P < 0.05). Conversely, apelin-13 partially reversed these parameters. CONCLUSION: Apelin-13 attenuates oxidative stress induced by uric acid, may be via down-regulation of local RAS expression in the 3T3-L1 adipocytes.     

ROCK promotes high glucose-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis by inhi-biting PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

AIMTo investigate whether Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase (ROCK) is involved in high glucose-induced apoptosis of primary cardiomyocytes by regulating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. METHODSPrimary Wistar rat cardiomyocytes were cultured and identified by α-sarcomeric actin (α-SCA) immunohistochemistry. Cardiomyocytes were treated with 5.5, 33 and 40 mmol/L glucose for 48 h. The cell viability was measured by MTT assay, and the mRNA expression of ROCK1 and ROCK2 in the cardiomyocytes was detected by RT-qPCR. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the apoptosis of the cardiomyocytes. The protein levels of ROCK1, ROCK2, cleaved caspase-3, Bcl-2, PI3K, Akt and p-Akt were determined by Western blot. In order to confirm the regulatory effect of ROCKs on PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, the cells were divided into control group (5.5 mmol/L glucose), high glucose group (33 mmol/L glucose) and high glucose+Y27632 (ROCK inhibitor) group. Western blot was used to detect the protein levels of ROCK1, ROCK2, PI3K, Akt and p-Akt. RESULTSAfter 48 h of high glucose exposure, the values of relative cell viability in 33 and 40 mmol/L glucose groups were (79.71±2.43)% and (68.41±7.49)%, respectively, both of which were significantly decreased compared with normal control group (P<0.05). After 48 h of high glucose exposure, the relative mRNA levels of ROCK1 and ROCK2 in 33 and 40 mmol/L glucose groups were significantly increased compared with normal control group (P<0.05). Compared with normal control group, the apoptotic rate in 33 and 40 mmol/L glucose groups was increased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with normal control group, the protein expression of ROCK1, ROCK2 and cleaved caspase-3 in 33 and 40 mmol/L glucose groups was increased (P<0.05), while the protein expression of Bcl-2 was decreased (P<0.05). No significant difference in the protein levels of PI3K and Akt among the 3 groups was observed, while the protein level of p-Akt in 33 and 40 mmol/L glucose groups was decreased compared with normal control group (P<0.05). Compared with high glucose group, the expression of ROCK1 and ROCK2 was decreased in high glucose+Y27632 group. No significant difference in the protein levels of PI3K and Akt among the 3 groups was observed. Compared with normal control group, the protein level of p-Akt in high glucose group was decreased, and the protein level of p-Akt in high glucose+Y27632 group was increased significantly compared with high glucose group. CONCLUSION Under high glucose environment, ROCK may reduce the level of p-Akt by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway， thus promoting the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes.     

Seaweed polysaccharide mitigates intestinal barrier dysfunction induced by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli through NF-κB pathway suppression in porcine intestinal epithelial cells

This study aimed to investigate the protective effects and underlying mechanism of seaweed polysaccharide (SWP) on intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction induced by E. coli in an IPEC-J2 model. A preliminary study was done to screen optimum SWP concentrations by cell viability, cytotoxicity, apoptosis and proliferation evaluation. The regular study was conducted to evaluate the protective effects of SWP against E. coli challenge via the analysis of transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), tight junction proteins, NF-κB signalling pathway, proinflammatory cytokines and the E. coli adhesion and invasion. Our results show that 4 h E. coli challenge down-regulated tight junction proteins expression, decreased TEER, activated NF-κB signalling pathway and increased proinflammatory response, which indicates that the E. coli infection model was well-established. Pre-treatment with 240 μg/ml SWP for 24 h alleviated the 4 h E. coli -induced intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction, as evidenced by the up-regulated expression of Occludin, Claudin-1 and ZO-1 at both mRNA and protein level and the increased TEER of IPEC-J2 cells. Pre-incubation with 240 μg/ml SWP for 24 h inhibited the activation of the NF-κB signalling pathway by 4 h E. coli challenge, including the decreased mRNA expression of TLR-4, MyD88, IκBα, p-65, as well as the reduced ratio of protein expression of p-p65/p65. Also, pre-treatment with 240 μg/ml SWP for 24 h decreased proinflammatory response (IL-6 and TNF-α) induced by 4 h E. coli challenge and decreased the E. coli adhesion and invasion. In conclusion, SWP mitigated intestinal barrier dysfunction caused by E. coli through NF-κB pathway in IPEC-J2 cells and 240 μg/ml SWP exhibited better effect. Our results also provide a fundamental basis for SWP in reducing post-weaning diarrhoea of weaned piglets, especially under E. coli -infected or in-feed antibiotic-free conditions.     

Three SNPs within exons of INHA and ACVR2B genes are significantly associated with litter size in Dazu black goats

The aim of this study was to analyse the association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms within INHA and ACVR2B and litter size in Dazu black goats. In total, twenty-two SNPs were genotyped in 190 individuals by SNaPshot and resequencing. The results showed that three SNPs (SNP_1, SNP_12 and SNP_13 in this study) were detected to have significant additive genetic effect on the recorded goat litter size (p < .05). The SNP_1 (NC_030809.1), a non-synonymous substitution of G for T at chr2-g. 28314990 in the exon 2 of INHA gene (NM_001285606.1), resulted in homozygote 2 (HOM2) contributed 0.25 and heterozygote (HET) contributed 0.12 larger litter than homozygote 1 (HOM1). Meanwhile, SNP_12 (Chr22-g. 11721225 A > T) and SNP_13 (Chr22-g. 11721227 A > C) (NC_030829.1) simultaneously mutated at the first and third position of a triplet AAA (lysine, K) in the exon 4 of ACVR2B gene (XM_018066623.1) had estimated genetic effects of HOM1 (0.00) and HOM2 (0.03) larger than HET (−0.12). In conclusion, one SNPs (chr2-g. 28314990 T > G) within the exon 2 of INHA and two SNPs (Chr22-g. 11721225 A > T and Chr22-g. 11721227 A > C) i n the exon 4 of ACVR2B gene were highly recommended as candidate markers of litter size in Dazu black goats. A large-scale association study to assess the impact of these variants on litter size is still necessary.     

中国林产工业产业关联与波及效应分析——基于投入产出模型的国际比较

文中基于中国、美国、俄罗斯、印度、巴西、印度尼西亚6国2000—2014年投入产出数据，通过测算中间需求率、中间投入率、感应度系数和影响力系数，对林产工业产业关联与波及效应进行动态比较分析。研究结果表明:相较于其他国家，中国木材加工业、造纸业的中间产品型产业特征明显，对国民经济贡献程度较高，但同时也面临成为“瓶颈产业”的风险；中国家具制造业的最终需求型产业性质显著，受整体经济发展的拉动作用明显弱于其他国家。总体而言，中国林产工业对国民经济的推动作用整体上高于国民经济发展对其的拉动作用。需要重点提升木材加工业、家具制造业整体产业链竞争力，加大科研创新投入力度以提升产出效率，并进一步提高家具制造业整体产品的附加值。     

美国乡村林业发展经验借鉴

在我国经济由高速增长向高质量发展转型的背景下，绿色产业发挥着不可替代的作用。而林业是我国最大的绿色产业，也是构成乡村经济的重要产业部门。文中从林业专业人才、林地管理和林权交易、资金扶持以及乡村产业多元化发展4个方面介绍美国在乡村林业发展的经验，提出促进我国乡村林业发展、推动林业产业扶贫的相关建议，以期为我国林业产业提升经济、社会和生态效益提供参考。     

Comparative analysis of genetic effects of wheat‐Dasypyrum villosum translocations T6V#2S·6AL and T6V#4S·6DL

Wheat‐Dasypyrum villosum translocations T6V#2S·6AL and T6V#4S·6DL, carriers of Pm21 and PmV, respectively, confer high resistance to wheat powdery mildew. For better understanding of the difference in genetic effect between them, a RIL population was constructed based on the cross between “Yangmai 18” carrying T6V#2S·6AL and “Yangmai 22” carrying T6V#4S·6DL. Analysis of distribution of the translocations showed that T6V#2S·6AL is much more transmittable than T6V#4S·6DL. By comparing their effects on main agronomic traits, we firstly found that T6V#2S·6AL contributes greatly to top spikelet fecundity, but causes a decrease of 6.7%–10.5% of spike number. No stable effects of T6V#4S·6DL on agronomic traits were found, except for positive effect on plant height. Excitingly, a new recombinant, T6V#4S‐6V#2S·6AL carrying PmV, was screened and proved to have a higher transmission rate than the original translocation T6V#4S·6DL, which will greatly promote the utilization of PmV. The above conclusions of this research will provide important guidance for utilization of Pm21 and PmV more effectively, in wheat powdery mildew resistance breeding.     

水分管理和钾肥施用对水稻产量和抗倒伏性的影响

探讨不同水分和钾肥管理对水稻产量和抗倒伏性的影响,为寒地水稻生产合理进行水分和钾肥管理提供理论依据。以当地主栽水稻品种龙粳31为材料,在淹水灌溉和干湿交替灌溉2种水分管理模式下,比较不施钾、钾肥基施和基肥∶穗肥=5∶5等3种钾肥管理形成的水稻群体,研究其对水稻产量和倒伏性能的影响。2种水分管理方式比较,干湿交替灌溉平均产量为8.33t/hm ²,比淹水灌溉增产3.48%;干湿交替处理有利于水稻植株重心高度降低,第1节（N1）、第2节（N2）节间长度缩短,单位节间干重增加,从而提高节间抗折力,N1、N2、第3节（N3）节间倒伏指数分别降低了13.23%、17.48%和15.27%。3种钾肥管理方式比较,施钾可以显著提高产量,产量表现为基肥∶穗肥=5∶5>钾肥基施>不施钾;钾可以促进水稻株高、鲜重、节间粗、茎壁厚、单位节间干重和节间抗折力提高,从而提高抗倒伏性能,3种钾肥管理水稻植株N1、N2、N3节间倒伏指数均为基肥∶穗肥=5∶5<钾肥基施<不施钾;对比于不施钾,钾肥基施处理N1、N2、N3节间倒伏指数分别降低了22.27%、22.04%和27.53%,基肥∶穗肥=5∶5处理N1、N2、N3节间倒伏指数分别降低了34.56%、35.48%和41.01%。结果表明通过干湿交替水分管理配合合理的钾肥管理可以明显提高水稻产量和降低植株倒伏风险。     

春播谷子成熟期抗倒伏性研究

试验以长谷4号、长生13和晋谷21为材料,在成熟期（乳熟期、蜡熟期和完熟期）测定7个性状指标,分析其与倒伏性的关系。结果表明,3个品种的倒伏指数均以黄熟期最大,乳熟期最小;从基部第2节间~第6节间,倒伏指数依次增加,抗倒伏性依次降低。相关性分析表明,基部第2节间倒伏指数与重心高度和单株穗鲜重呈显著正相关,与株高、单株鲜重和基部第2节间长度呈正相关,与基部第2节间直径和基部第2节间机械强度呈负相关,但都未达到显著水平。通径分析结果表明,各性状对倒伏指数的直接影响从大到小排序为：基部第2节间机械强度、单株鲜重、重心高度、株高、基部第2节间直径、基部第2节间长度和单株穗鲜重。由研究结果可见,基部第2节间机械强度和重心高度可作为评价谷子成熟期抗倒伏性的通用指标,对选育抗倒伏谷子新品种具有重要指导意义。     

Development of a linear mixed-effects individual-tree basal area increment model for masson pine in Hunan Province,South-central China

ABSTRACT

An individual-tree basal area increment model was developed for masson pine based on 26276 observations of 13,138 trees in 987 sample plots from the 7th (2004), 8th (2009), and 9th (2014) Chinese National Forest Inventory in Hunan Province, South-central China. The model was built using a linear mixed-effects approach with sample plots included as random effects since the data have a hierarchical stochastic structure and biased estimates of the standard error of parameter estimates could be a consequence of applying ordinary least square (OLS) for regression. In addition, within-plot heteroscedasticity and autocorrelation were also considered. The final mixed-effects model was determined according to the Akaike information criterion (AIC), Bayesian information criterion (BIC), log-likelihood (Loglik), and the likelihoodratio test (LRT). The results revealed that initial diameter (DBH), the sum of the basal area (m²/ha) in trees with DBHs larger than the DBH of the subject tree (BAL), number of trees per hectare (NT), and elevation (EL) had a significant impact on individual-tree basal area increment. The mixed-effects model performed much better than the basic model produced using OLS. Additionally, the variance structure of the model errors was successfully modeled using the power function. However, the autocorrelation structures were not defined because there was no autocorrelation amongst the data. It is believed that the final model will contribute to the scientific management of the masson pine.