利用凝胶扩散法测定刺萼龙葵种子中β-甘露聚糖酶的活性

β-甘露聚糖酶是种子萌发过程中降解胚乳细胞壁的关键酶,明确其活性的动态变化可为揭示杂草种子的休眠萌发机制提供重要依据。以外来杂草刺萼龙葵Solanum rostratum Dunal种子为材料,建立了种子中β-甘露聚糖酶活性的检测方法—凝胶扩散法。利用凝胶扩散法对不同贮存时间及贮存条件下刺萼龙葵种子中β-甘露聚糖酶的活性进行了检测,发现贮存3年以上的种子中该酶的活性为0.03 nmol/(min·mg),显著低于贮存3年以下的种子中的酶活性0.15 nmol/(min·mg),而湿润冷藏的种子中β-甘露聚糖酶的活性为0.12 nmol/(min·mg),显著高于干燥冷藏的种子的酶活性0.02 nmol/(min·mg)。实际应用结果表明,凝胶扩散法综合了传统方法的优势,检测特异性强、灵敏度高、重复性好,可同时检测大量种子样品,具有良好的实用性。     

湖南省粮食产量波动的影响因素分析及预测

旨在维护国家稳定,为预判粮食生产前景、提高粮食生产效率、保障粮食安全提供理论依据。利用湖南省统计数据,运用灰色关联分析法筛选关联性较强的影响因素,并建立GM(1,N)预测模型预测粮食产量。2008—2017年与湖南省粮食产量关联度最大的影响因素是粮食作物播种面积和农业机械总动力;科技因素是影响2008—2017年湖南省粮食产量的主要因素,其次是自然因素,社会因素;2018—2027年湖南省粮食产量有较小波动,且农业机械总动力和财政农业支出影响较大;农业机械总动力在前后十年对粮食产量都有较重要的影响,越来越占据主导地位。粮食产量受国家政策的影响,受农业机械总动力影响最大,维持产量水平需高度重视农业机械化水平,稳步提高粮食作物播种面积。     

华北地区夏玉米生产中磷素利用特征研究

为评估当前中国华北地区夏玉米生产中的磷素利用效率和影响因素,促进磷肥资源高效利用和降低损失和污染,本研究通过收集1980年以来公开发表的夏玉米田间试验的文献,对华北地区夏玉米磷肥试验数据进行收集、整理和分析,获得了夏玉米的籽粒与秸秆产量及其比例,以及施磷量与籽粒和秸秆磷含量的关系模型。研究发现,随着施磷量的增加,土壤-夏玉米作物系统的磷素表观盈亏量呈线性增加,在施磷达到75 kg/hm ²时,磷素表观盈亏量为0。华北地区的夏玉米磷肥平均利用效率约为15%;增加氮肥施用量以及与磷合理配施有利于提高磷肥利用效率。整体上,夏玉米对磷酸二铵的利用效率高于过磷酸钙;有机肥和化肥配施可以有效提高磷肥利用效率。夏玉米‘天泰60’品种的磷肥利用效率最高。在华北地区夏玉米生产中,选用磷酸二铵以及适合的氮肥水平、有机肥与化肥配施,可以提高磷肥利用效率,降低磷肥损失和环境污染风险。     

厚皮甜瓜新品种红宝玉的选育

红宝玉是以10R15 为母本、10R8 为父本选育而成的中熟厚皮甜瓜一代杂种。植株长势稳健，抗病抗逆性强。全生育期95～110 d（天），果实发育期30～35 d（天）。果实短椭圆形，成熟后果面乳白色，单果质量约1.5 kg，果肉橘红色，肉厚3.5～4.0 cm，腔小不发酵，中心可溶性固形物含量17.5%，肉质紧脆，不脱蒂，耐贮耐运。平均每667 m²产量3 600 kg 左右。适宜在山东、河北、陕西、安徽等地春季保护地设施栽培。     

Up-regulation of miR-181a attenuates releases of CSE-induced pro-inflammatory factors and expression of collagen IV,fibronectin and α-SMA in human bronchial epithelial cells

AIM: To investigate the effect and potential mechanism of microRNA-181a (miR-181a) on cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-induced the productions of pro-inflammatory factors and the expression of collagen IV, fibronectin and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs). METHODS: CSE-induced miR-181a expression was detected by RT-qPCR in the HBECs. After tansfected with miR-181a mimic, the releases of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6 and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) were measured by ELISA, the protein expression of collagen IV, fibronectin and α-SMA was determined by Western blot. The activation of NF-κB/TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway was also evaluated by Western blot. RESULTS: CSE increased the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and TGF-β1 and the expression of collagen IV, fibronectin and α-SMA, and decreased the expression of miR-181a in the HBECs (P<0.05). However, transfected with miR-181a mimic partially prevented the releases of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and TGF-β1, and inhibited the expression of collagen IV, fibronectin and α-SMA (P<0.05). Additionally, the activation of NF-κB/TGF-β1/Smad3 evoked by CSE was attenuated after transfected with miR-181a mimic. CONCLUSION: Up-regulation of miR-181a prevents the releases of CSE-induced pro-inflammatory factors and expression of collagen IV, fibronectin and α-SMA in the HBECs, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of NF-κB/TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway.     

SIRT1 promotes autophagy of pancreatic cancer cells induced by hypoxia via regulating FOXO1/RAB7 signaling pathway

AIM: To investigate the effect of SIRT1 on the autophagy of pancreatic cancer cells under hypoxia condition, and to analyze the underlying mechanism of regulating FOXO1/RAB7 signaling pathway. METHODS: Western blot and immunofluorescence methods were used to determine the expression of SIRT1 in the pancreatic cancer cells. The small interfering RNA targeting SIRT1 and SIRT1 over-expression plasmid were transfected into the pancreatic cancer Panc-1 cells. Confocal microscopy was used to detect the LC3 expression. Western blot was used to analyze the protein levels of LC3, p62 and FOXO1/RAB7 signaling pathway-related molecules. Co-immunoprecipitation was used to detected the protein interaction between SIRT1 and FOXO1. RESULTS: The expression level of SIRT1 in the nucleus of Panc-1 cells was increased under hypoxia condition. Compared with negative control under hypoxia condition, knock-down of SIRT1 expression attenuated the autophagy flux in the pancreatic cancer Panc-1 cells (P<0.05). Over-expression of SIRT1 increased the protein levels of FOXO1 and RAB7. On the contrary, knock-down of SIRT1 expression inhibited the protein levels of FOXO1 and RAB7. The protein interaction between SIRT1 and FOXO1 in the pancreatic cancer cells was observed. CONCLUSION: SIRT1 in pancreatic cancer Panc-1 cells under hypoxia condition is over-expressed in the nucleus. Down-regulation of SIRT1 inhibits autophagy and its mechanism may be related to FOXO1/RAB7 signaling pathway.     

Effect of miRNA-33 on ABCA1/ABCG1 expression in RAW264.7 macrophage-derived foam cells after Hcy treatment

AIM:To study whether homocysteine (Hcy) inhibits the expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) and ATP-binding cassette transporter G1 (ABCG1) by microRNA-33 (miRNA-33) signaling, and reduces the efficiency of reverse cholesterol transport (RCT).METHODS:RAW264.7 macrophages were induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) to establish foam cell model. Oil red O staining was used to determine whether the model was established successfully. miRNA-33 mimics and miRNA-33 inhibitor were transfected into the cells by Lipofectamine 2000, and the cells were exposed to Hcy at concentration of 5 mmol/L for 24 h. The intracellular lipid droplets were observed by Oil red O staining. The expression of ABCA1 and ABCG1 at mRNA and protein levels was determined by real-time PCR and Western blot. The cellular cholesterol content was analyzed by HPLC, and effluent rate of cholesterol was detected by the method of liquid scintillation counting.RESULTS:Compared with blank control group, the lipid content in miRNA-33 mimics group was increased, and the expression of ABCA1 and ABCG1 at mRNA and protein levels was decreased (P<0.05). The intracellular cholesterol content was increased gradually (P<0.05), and the cellular cholesterol efflux rate was gradually decreased (P<0.05) in miRNA-33 mimics group. Compared with blank control group, the testing results in miRNA-33 inhibitor group were the opposition of those in miRNA-33 mimics group (P<0.05). No diffe-rence of the above indexes among blank control group, miRNA-33 mimics-NC group and miRNA-33 inhibitor-NC group was observed.CONCLUSION:Hcy inhibits the mRNA and protein expression of ABCA1 and ABCG1 through miRNA-33 signaling, and reduces the efficiency of RCT in RAW264.7 macrophage-derived foam cells.     

Effect of miR-29b-mediated TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway on progression of hepatic fibrosis in rats

AIM: To investigate the role of microRNA-29b (miR-29b)-mediated TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway in the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and its effect on the progression of hepatic fibrosis in rats.METHODS: Hepatic liver fibrosis rat model was established, and its HSC were isolated. Normal rat HSC were also obtained and identified in vitro. RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the alterations of miR-29b, TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway-related proteins and liver fibrosis marker proteins in the acquired cells. Finally, the direct targeting binding of miR-29b to TGF-β1 was identified by dual-luciferase reporter assay system.RESULTS: With the activation of HSC, the expression of miR-29b gradually decreased (P<0.01), while the expression of collagen type I and α-smooth muscle actin gradually increased (P<0.01). At the same time, the expression of Smad2/3/4 was significantly increased, and the expression of Smad7 was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-29b bound directly to "UCUCUCCGU" in the 3'UTR of TGF-β1, indicating that TGF-β1 was a downstream target gene of miR-29b.CONCLUSION: miR-29b may be involved in the inhibition of HSC activation and migration, thereby inhibiting the process of liver fibrosis. The biological function of miR-29b may be through the direct targeting of TGF-β1, thus regulating and inhibiting the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway.     

Role of ghrelin in cell protection by up-regulating HSP70 through ERK1/2 signaling pathway in PC12 cells

AIM:To study the role of ghrelin in cell protection by up-regulating heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and inhibiting apoptosis induced by oxidative stress through extracellular regulated protein kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling pathway in the PC12 cells. METHODS:Sodium nitoprusside (SNP) was used to induce oxidative stress injury in the PC12 cells. The cultured PC12 cells were divided into SNP-injured group (incubated with SNP at 0.5 mmol/L for 6, 12, 18 and 24 h), ghrelin pretreatment group (ghrelin at 100 nmol/L was given 30 min before adding SNP); HSP70 inhibitor group (quercetin at 10 μmol/L was added 60 min before ghrelin treatment), ERK inhibitor group (ERK 1/2 inhibitor PD98059 was added 60 min before ghrelin treatment) and control group (added same amount of culture medium only). The apoptotic rate was detected by flow cytometry. The protein expression was determined by Western blot and immunocytochemistry. RESULTS:Compared with control group, the apoptotic rate of PC12 cells in SNP-injured group was significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with SNP-injured group, ghrelin (100 nmol/L) pretreatment significantly inhibited SNP-induced apoptosis of PC12 cells (P<0.05), and significantly up-regulated the protein expression of HSP70 (P<0.05). Time-effect analysis showed that ghrelin had the most significant effect at 18 h after SNP injury. Quercetin, an inhibitor of HSP 70, significantly reduced the anti-apoptotic effect of ghrelin (P<0.05). Ghrelin pretreatment promoted the phosphorylation of ERK1/2. ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 significantly inhibited the effects of ghrelin on up-regulation of HSP70 expression (P<0.05). CONCLUSION:Ghrelin upregulates the expression of HSP70 and inhibits the apoptosis in the PC12 cells induced by oxidative stress by promoting the phosphorylation of ERK1/2.