Mechanism of elemene enhancing radiosensitivity of human glioma U251 cells

AIM To investigate the effect of elemene on the radiosensitivity of human glioma U251 cells and its mechanism. METHODS The U251 cells were used as a glioma model in vitro, and were exposed to different concentrations of elemene and different doses of radiation. The cell viability was measured by MTT assay, the apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were analyzed by flow cytometry, and the related protein levels were determined by Western blot. RESULTS Elemene inhibited the viability of U251 cells in vitro and enhanced the radiosensitivity of the cells. The cells in radiotherapy combined with elemene group had higher rates of early apoptosis, secondary necrosis and total cell death than those in radiation group. Elemene induced G₂/M phase arrest in the U251 cells. Elemene reduced the protein expression of cell division cycle protein 2 （Cdc2）, which resulted in the decrease in cyclin B1 expression induced by radiotherapy, thereby inhibiting the formation of cyclin B-Cdc2 complex. Elemene reduced Cdc2 activity by inhibiting the phosphorylation of Cdc2 protein at threonine 161, thereby inducing G₂/M phase arrest in the cells. It also mediated apoptosis by down-regulating survivin expression. CONCLUSION Elemene may increase the sensitivity of U251 cells to radiotherapy by down-regulating Cdc2 protein, decreasing cyclin B1 expression, inhibiting the formation of cylcin B-Cdc2 complex and down-regulating the expression of survivin.     

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.     

朱顶红幼嫩花梗胚性愈伤组织诱导和高效植株再生

为建立高效的朱顶红植株再生和种苗繁育技术体系，以幼嫩花梗为外植体开展胚性愈伤组织诱导和植株再生研究。对2,4-D和噻苯隆（TDZ）浓度、外植体发育时期及大小进行了筛选，结果表明：将切片厚度为1 mm的幼嫩花梗外植体置于添加0.5 mg ? L-1 TDZ 和2.0 mg ? L-1 2,4-D的MS固体培养基上培养8周，胚性愈伤组织诱导率最高，达85.3%。将胚性愈伤组织转移至相同的培养基上，每月继代1次，平均每月增殖10.6倍。在不含任何生长调节剂的MS培养基上，胚性愈伤组织的植株再生率达98.0%，平均每块愈伤组织可再生出12.3个小植株。经过36次（3年）继代培养后，胚性愈伤组织的增殖和植株再生效率没有显著变化。幼苗移栽至温室驯化，成活率达97.5%。再生植株移栽到田间，没有发现明显的表型变异。对随机选择的再生植株和母株进行简单序列重复区间（ISSR）扩增分析，证实再生植株没有发生DNA水平变异。     

欧洲葡萄‘粉红亚都蜜’NAC基因DRL1负向调节植物抗旱性

以欧洲葡萄‘粉红亚都蜜’（Vitis vinifera‘Yatomo Rose’）为材料，利用荧光定量PCR技术和转基因技术研究葡萄NAC转录因子DRL1基因对逆境的响应。欧洲葡萄‘粉红亚都蜜’在激素和逆境胁迫下，DRL1表达呈下降趋势，其中以ABA和干旱胁迫处理最为显著。在ABA处理下DRL1转基因烟草株系种子萌发率和根长均高于野生型。干旱处理下，转基因植株对干旱的耐受性降低，同时胁迫相关基因NtLEA5、NtP5CR1、NtPSCS1、NtERD10C和NtDREB3的表达水平比野生型显著下降。此外，DRL1转基因烟草茎中柱发育受到抑制，尤其是导管横切面积仅为野生型的58%。以上结果表明，DRL1基因可能作为1个负向调节子参与植物的干旱胁迫。     

梁山慈竹新品种‘西科1号’

‘西科1号’是由梁山慈竹（Dendrocalamus farinosus）通过甲基磺酸乙酯诱变，再进一步筛选出的新品种。一年生竹秆厚被少量白粉，多年生的主枝不明显，纤维素含量高（55.28%），木质素含量低（20.02%），良浆得率高（39.29%），硫酸盐浆的撕裂指数大（16.96 mN · m² · g^-1），耐折度强（2.1），竹材性能好，笋营养丰富，且具有一定观赏性，是优质的工业用、笋用和观赏用竹种。     

长柄扁桃良种‘中扁2号’

‘中扁2号’长柄扁桃是从包头市固阳县高产优良母树的半同胞子代中筛选出的高产优良单株培育的新品种。果实较大，扁圆形，成熟时紫红色，平均单仁质量0.28 g。在内蒙古地区，果实成熟期为7—8月。盛果期平均单株种仁产量0.19 ~ 0.21 kg，折合463.5 ~ 529.5 kg • hm-2。采用嫁接繁殖，适宜在内蒙古自治区多地种植。     

利用天敌防治葡萄园害虫研究进展

葡萄是一种重要的经济水果,除鲜食外还可用于酿酒、制干、制汁等。在葡萄挂果到收获期间采用化学药剂来防治园内害虫极有可能造成农药残留,危害人体健康。利用天敌防治葡萄园内害虫是确保葡萄及其制品质量安全的重要途径。总结了国内外葡萄园常见害虫的主要捕食性和寄生性天敌,以及利用天敌防治葡萄园重要虫害的策略,并探讨了该领域目前存在的问题及未来的研究方向。     

甘肃成县核桃种质资源晚霜冻害调查

为了解核桃种质资源对晚霜冻害的抗性表现,筛选抗晚霜冻的核桃种质资源,为抗晚霜冻核桃品种的选育提供优异材料,于晚霜冻害发生后的第3~5 d分别对成县当地核桃品种(系)、引种国内核桃品种、引种国外核桃品种、黑核桃及山核桃属的长山核桃等30份不同核桃种质的抗晚霜冻情况进行了田间调查和鉴定。结果表明:成县当地核桃品种(系)中,‘陇南755’、Y1102、Y1201等表现为抗晚霜冻型,B0802-8、Y1001萌芽较迟,属于避晚霜冻型;引种国内品种中,‘辽核4号’和‘辽核7号’表现为抗晚霜冻型;引种国外品种中,日本核桃‘清香’属于抗晚霜冻型,美国核桃种质‘强特勒’‘土莱尔’‘美国黑核桃’等属于避晚霜冻型,‘维纳’‘美国819’‘美国长山核桃’等属于抗或高抗晚霜冻型。     

香菇的药用价值及其产品开发前景

近年来,香菇因不仅能满足于人们的营养需求,同时还具有保健及药用价值,而越来越受到人们的青睐。从香菇的有效成分、药理作用和产品开发3个方面进行阐述,以期为指导香菇食用、产品开发和产业发展提供参考依据。     

江苏省蔬菜产业发展政策建议

蔬菜是我国人民膳食结构中极为重要的组成部分,中国人尤其喜食新鲜蔬菜。从营养学的观点看,蔬菜的营养功能主要是供给人体所必需的多种维生素、矿物质、微量元素、酶以及一部分热能和蛋白质,还有维持人体内酸碱平衡、帮助消化等功能,从而提高人体的免疫力,这些功能是其他食物难以替代的。蔬菜在当下抗击新冠肺炎疫情中发挥了重要作用。产业兴旺是乡村振兴的基础和关键。蔬菜产业是重要的农业产业,蔬菜在人们的日常生活中已成为优先购买的商品,蔬菜经营收入也已成为许多农民家庭收入的重要来源。