Zerumbone attenuates MPP+-induced cytotoxicity in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells by inhibition of oxidative stress

AIM: To investigate the role of zerumbone (ZER) in 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP⁺)-induced cytotoxicity of human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. METHODS: Human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells were cultured in vitro and the protective effect of ZER against MPP⁺-induced cytotoxicity was measured by CCK-8 assay. Flow cytometry was used to determine the apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The expression of Parkinson disease protein 7 (PARK7) was knocked-down by using PARK7-specific short hairpin RNA (shRNA). The protein levels of PARK7, nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were determined by Western blot. RESULTS: MMP⁺ remarkably reduced the cell viability in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. The SH-SY5Y cell injury model was established by treatment with MPP⁺ at 600 μmol/L for 24 h. ZER up-regulated the protein levels of PARK7 and Nrf2 (P<0.05), alleviated apoptosis (P<0.05), and reduced ROS production (P<0.05) in the SH-SY5Y cell injury model. Meanwhile, N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) had the similar functions. Moreover, significant reductions in the protein levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 (P<0.05), and obvious increases in apoptosis (P<0.05) and ROS level (P<0.05) were demonstrated in PARK7-knockdown cells. CONCLUSION: ZER protects SH-SY5Y cells against MPP⁺-induced cytotoxi-city, which may be related to activation of PARK7/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, and subsequent attenuation of oxidative stress and apoptosis.     

利用CRISPR/Cas9技术编辑BADH2-1/BADH2-2创制香米味道玉米新种质

【目的】香味是作物的重要食味品质之一。2-乙酰-1-吡咯啉（2-acetyl-1-pyrroline,2-AP）是主要香味物。BADH2是控制水稻等作物香味性状的关键基因,敲除该基因可以产生香味稻米。利用CRISPR/Cas9基因编辑技术在北京市农林科学院自育的玉米骨干亲本京724上敲除BADH2同源基因,以期获得有香米味道的玉米新种质材料。【方法】利用Ensembl数据库在线BLAST工具,将水稻OsBADH2蛋白序列在拟南芥、水稻和玉米蛋白序列数据库中进行序列比对,获得上述3个物种的BADH基因家族成员,并利用UniProt蛋白数据库中的结构域信息进行验证。进一步使用MEGA软件进行系统进化分析,获得玉米BADH2同源基因作为候选编辑靶标。基于CRISPR/Cas9基因编辑技术的原理,在候选基因的外显子处设计特异性靶点,并构建入CRISPR/Cas9基因编辑载体。再以玉米自交系京724为受体,利用农杆菌介导的遗传转化方法,通过磷酸甘露糖异构酶基因（phosphomannose isomerase,PMI）抗性筛选获得阳性转基因植株。转基因株系经测序明确其在靶基因中产生的突变类型。利用气相色谱质谱联用仪（gas chromatography-mass spectrometry,GC-MS）检测基因编辑株系T₁籽粒中香米主要香味物质2-AP的含量,以确认京724在基因编辑前后2-AP含量的变化。【结果】系统进化分析发现,玉米中存在2个BADH2同源基因,分别命名为ZmBADH2-1和ZmBADH2-2。ZmBADH2-1位于第4染色体,ZmBADH2-2位于第1染色体。2个基因均包含15个外显子和14个内含子,第4外显子间的核苷酸序列高度同源。在2个基因的第4外显子区域设计靶点并构建入CRISPR/Cas9基因编辑载体,通过遗传转化获得28株转基因株系。PCR扩增及测序分析结果显示,其中10株材料的2个ZmBADH2s在靶点区域均发生突变,突变基因型包括双等位突变和多等位突变,突变类型为不同数量的碱基缺失和插入。质谱检测结果显示玉米ZmBADH2双基因突变体籽粒中存在与香稻同样成分的2-AP。随机选取的4个T₁代基因编辑株系籽粒中,2-AP平均含量分别为438.29、404.63、348.65和161.82 μg·kg^-1,而未经过编辑的京724中未检测到2-AP。【结论】利用CRISPR/Cas9技术对玉米ZmBADH2-1和ZmBADH2-2同时进行定点敲除,创制出籽粒中具有香米味道的玉米骨干亲本新种质材料。     

氮磷钾配比对长优2号产量和经济性状的影响

采用“3414”方案设计试验,研究氮磷钾不同配比施肥对长优2号产量及经济性状的影响,结果表明,氮、磷、钾对长优2号都有一定的增产效应,其中以氮的增产效应最为显著,磷与钾次之。初步得出本次试验最佳施肥量为“N”16.23㎏/667㎡、“P2O5”8.46㎏/667㎡、“K2O”16.06㎏/667㎡,NPK比接近“1：0.5：1”水平。     

杂色蚕豆新品种“清蚕2号”选育初探

2010年夏在慈溪市白沙路鲜食白花大粒蚕豆大田中发现因小黑蚕豆和白花大粒蚕豆自然杂交而产生变异的F0代变异单株，然后经F1到F5代的连续单株选择，经过F6代的株系选择和F7代的优系繁育，育成了杂色蚕豆新品种——清蚕2号。其株高约90 cm，分枝6～7个，花瓣上部白色，花托处红色，每荚1～3粒， 3粒荚占比仅10%，干豆形状短圆，干豆色泽底色为淡黄色，其侧面有八字形棕褐色条带，豆眼黑色，百粒质量为100 g。“清蚕2号”株型紧凑，植株中等，整齐度高，田间性状稳定，长势较旺盛，抗病性较强，适应性、抗逆性强，结荚多，产量高，品质好。     

野生动物非法交易犯罪案件信息特征分析

对野生动物非法交易案件进行信息特征分析,可以把握案件的发生规律,提供决策者参考,以便有针对性预防和打击犯罪,更好地保护野生动物资源。本研究应用大数据分析的方法,对野生动物非法交易犯罪案件的文本数据进行结构化处理,建立了word2vec模型。从犯罪因素的角度统计分析了本类案件的信息特征,包括侵害人的特征、作案行为特征、侵害的动物或动物制品、侵害的时间和案件发生的地点等。在梳理基本特征的基础上应用关联算法构建了关联规则。根据特征分析和关联规则,提出了开展季节性防控、对特定群体和场所进行有针对性预防、对上游下游犯罪进行联动打击、与网管等多部门合作,运用现代科技成果进行打击和防范的对策建议。     

Biochar addition mitigates nitrogen loss induced by straw incorporation and nitrogen fertilizer application

Biochar has been shown to be potentially beneficial for enhancing yields and soil properties, and diminishing nitrogen (N) losses. However, it remains unclear how biochar regulates soil carbon (C) and N to mitigate N losses induced by straw mixing with N fertilizer in dryland soils. Therefore, we investigated the effects of straw mixing (S₁), S₁ with biochar (SB) and no straw inputs (S₀), and routine urea application rates (N₁) and 70% of routine rates (N_0.7) on yields and N losses, and identify the relationship between N losses and soil C and N compounds. Results showed that N_0.7 and N₁ were suitable for the maize and wheat seasons, respectively, contributing to mitigating N losses without reducing crop yields. Moreover, in the maize season, N_0.7-SB significantly mitigated the straw-induced NH₃-N and N₂O-N emissions by 106% and 81%, respectively. In the wheat season, N₁-SB reduced the straw-induced NH₃-N and N₂O-N emissions by 35% and 66%, respectively. In addition, N_0.7-SB sharply reduced soil inorganic N (SIN) storage in the maize season. Furthermore, the NH₃-N and N₂O-N emission rates were negatively correlated with dissolved organic carbon/SIN content (0–20 cm) (DOC/SIN_0-20). N losses (N₂O-N and NH₃-N emissions and SIN storage) were positively correlated with SIN_0-20, but negatively correlated with soil organic carbon / SIN_0-20 (SOC/ SIN_0-20). This study provides further evidence that biochar with an appropriate N application rate decreased SIN_0-20 and increased DOC/SIN_0-20, thus reducing SIN storage and the straw-induced gaseous N emissions without decreasing crop yields.     

稻田转为菜地初始阶段温室气体排放特征

【目的】近年来,随着我国社会经济的快速发展和人们生活水平的提高及膳食结构的改善,越来越多的稻田被转为蔬菜种植,影响了土壤碳氮转化过程及其引起的温室气体排放。因此有必要探究稻田转为蔬菜种植,特别是该土地利用方式转变初始阶段的温室气体（CH₄和N₂O）排放特征及其关键影响因素。【方法】试验选取了长期种植水稻的双季稻田,将其中一部分转为蔬菜种植,另一部分继续种植水稻,每个处理设置了3个重复,按照当地常规模式进行管理。采用静态暗箱—气相色谱法连续3年进行田间原位观测,比较分析稻田和由稻田转变的菜地CH₄和N₂O排放特征及其年际变化差异,明确稻田转为菜地初始阶段CH₄和N₂O排放的关键影响因素。【结果】稻田是重要的CH₄排放源,其第一年的排放强度（183.91 kg CH₄-C·hm^-2?a^-1）明显低于后续两年（241.56—371.50 kg CH₄-C·hm^-2?a^-1）,这主要归功于后两年降雨量的增加引起了土壤水分含量的升高。稻田转为菜地显著减少了CH₄排放,减少量相当于稻田CH₄年累积排放量的83%—100%。菜地第一年的CH₄累积排放量（31.22 kg CH₄-C·hm^-2）显著高于第二年（0.45 kg CH₄-C·hm^-2）和第三年（0.89 kg CH₄-C·hm^-2）,表明稻田转菜地对CH₄排放的影响具有时间滞后效应。稻田是弱的N₂O排放源（1.35—3.49 kg N₂O-N·hm^-2?a^-1）,其转为菜地显著增强了N₂O排放。菜地第一年的N₂O累积排放量（95.12 kg N₂O-N·hm^-2）显著高于第二年（38.28 kg N₂O-N?hm^-2）和第三年（40.07 kg N₂O-N·hm^-2）。菜地土壤异养呼吸对N₂O排放的影响在第一年明显高于第二、三年,表明稻田转为蔬菜种植的第一年,有机质矿化对N₂O排放有重要贡献。在100年尺度CO₂当量下,稻田转为蔬菜种植第一和第二年的综合增温潜势（GWP）相对于稻田分别显著增加了390%和98%,主要是由于增加的N₂O增温潜势超过了减少的CH₄增温潜势。但是,稻田转为菜地的第三年,菜地的GWP（(16.72±3.25) Mg CO₂-eq·hm^-2）与稻田（(14.84±1.39) Mg CO₂-eq·hm^-2）相比无显著差异,主要是由于减少的CH₄ 增温潜势完全抵消了增加的N₂O增温潜势。这些研究结果表明稻田转菜地对GWP的影响主要集中在该土地利用方式转变的第一年。【结论】稻田转为菜地显著减少了CH₄排放,增加了N₂O排放,增强了菜地第一和第二年的综合增温潜势。有机质矿化过程对新转菜地第一年较高的N₂O排放有重要贡献。这些研究结果表明了评价土地利用方式转变初始阶段温室气体排放特征的重要性,便于及时采取有效管理措施缓解温室气体排放,实现环境友好型农业可持续生产。     

An improved method for extraction of sorghum polymeric protein complexes

A method for fractionating sorghum proteins using extraction solvents and techniques designed to obtain polymeric protein structures (especially disulfide linked) was developed. Extraction and separation conditions were optimized in terms of completeness of protein extraction, sample stability, and analytical resolution. After pre-extraction of albumins and globulins, a 3-step sequential procedure involving no reducing agents was applied to ground whole sorghum flour. The three fractions obtained represented proportionally different protein polymer contents and molecular weight distribution as evidenced by comparative size exclusion chromatography. Protein composition also varied among the extracts with differences in kafirin composition and non-kafirin proteins detected in the fractions by RP-HPLC and SDS-PAGE analysis. The ability to quantify and further characterize sorghum polymeric protein complexes will be useful for additional studies linking protein structures with functionality and digestibility and variations for these properties within diverse sorghum germplasm.     

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.     

Effects of calpain-2 and autophagy-related protein 5 on hepatocyte apoptosis induced by endoplasmic reticulum stress

AIMTo investigate the effects of calpain-2 and autophagy-related protein 5 (Atg5) on apoptosis of BRL-3A rat normal liver cells during endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) induced by dithiothreitol (DTT). METH?ODS: BRL-3A cells were treated with DTT at 2.0 mmol/L for 0, 6, 12 and 24 h to induce ERS. Real-time cell analysis (RTCA) was used to measure the effect of DTT on BRL-3A cell proliferation. Apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were analyzed by flow cytometry. The mRNA expression of calpain-2 and Atg5 was detected by real-time PCR. The protein levels of calpain-2, Atg5, Atg7, Atg12 and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) were determined by Western blot. The interaction between calpain-2 and Atg5 was investigated by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP). RESULTSThe proliferation of BRL-3A cells treated with DTT was significantly inhibited. The apoptosis of BRL-3A cells was significantly increased after DTT treatment for 6, 12 and 24 h as compared with 0 h group (P<0.05). The cell cycle was arrested in G₁ phase after DTT treatment (P<0.05). After DTT treatment for 6, 12 and 24 h, the mRNA expression of calpain-2 and Atg5 in the BRL-3A cells was significantly increased as compared with 0 h group (P<0.05). The protein levels of calpain-2, Atg12 and Atg7 in the cells treated with DTT for 6, 12 and 24 h were significantly higher than those in 0 h group, and the ratio of LC3-II/LC3-I was also significantly higher than that in 0 h group, while Atg5 expression was significantly lower than that in 0 h group (P<0.05). The results of Co-IP found that the anti-calpain-2 antibody precipitated Atg5 protein from the cell lysates, and the anti-Atg5 antibody also precipitated calpain-2 from the cell lysates, which confirmed the interaction between calpain-2 and Atg5. CONCLUSION Calpain-2 may participate in ERS-induced hepatocyte apoptosis by interacting with Atg5.