Effect of pidotimod on renal function and inflammatory response in rat IgA nephropathy model

AIM:To explore the effect of pidotimod on the renal function in IgA nephropathy (IgAN) rat model, and to further study whether this effect is related to the inhibition of inflammatory response. METHODS:The SD rats (n=36) were randomly divided into control group, IgAN model group, IgAN with prednisone treatment group and IgAN with pidotimod treatment group, with 9 rats in each group. The IgAN model was induced by consecutive oral administration of bovine gamma globulin (BGG) for 8 weeks followed by injection of BGG through tail vein for 3 d. After the IgAN model was established, the drug was continuously used for 4 weeks. At the end of the treatment, the urine protein, serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen were examined by an automated analyzer. IgA deposition in the renal tissues was observed by immunofluorescence staining. The mRNA expression levels of renal fibrosis markers transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and fibronectin 1 in the renal tissues were detected by RT-qPCR. The mRNA and protein levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-6 in the renal tissues were determined by RT-qPCR and Western blot, respectively. RESULTS:No significant difference of the body weight was observed in different groups. Compared with control group, the content of urine protein, serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen were significantly increased (P<0.01), whereas those were reversed by pidotimod treatment. The results of immunofluorescence staining showed that pidotimod inhibited IgA deposition in the IgAN rats. Pitomod treatment inhibited the mRNA expression levels of renal fibrosis markers TGF-β1 and fibronectin 1, and the mRNA and protein levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 in the renal tissues of IgAN rats. CONCLUSION:Pidotimod alleviates IgAN progression in rats by inhibition of inflammatory response.     

Regulatory effect of astragaloside IV on SDF-1α/CXCR4 in EPCs

AIM: To investigate the effects of astragaloside IV (AS-IV) on chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) and stromal cell-derived factor 1α (SDF-1α) in endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and its mechanism. METHODS: Rat bone marrow-derived EPCs were cultured in vitro. The proliferation, adhesion, migration, apoptosis and tube formation capacity of EPCs treated with AS-IV and AMD3100, a specific blocker of CXCR4, were observed. The effects of AS-IV on the expression of SDF-1α/CXCR4 at mRNA and protein levels and the protein level of p-CXCR4 in the EPCs were determined. RESULTS: AS-IV significantly enhanced the proliferation, adhesion, migration and tube formation abilities of EPCs, reduced the apoptosis of EPCs, and up-regulated the mRNA and protein expression of SDF-1α and CXCR4 and the p-CXCR4 protein level in the EPCs. On the other hand, AMD3100 blocked the up-regulating effect of AS-IV on the mRNA and protein expression of CXCR4 and the p-CXCR4 protein level in the EPCs, but did not affect the effect of AS-IV on the expression of SDF-1α. CONCLUSION: AS-IV might enhance the biological function of EPCs by regulating the expression of SDF-1α/CXCR in EPCs.     

水稻黑条矮缩病抗性QTL定位

发掘水稻黑条矮缩病的抗性基因有助于抗病品种的选育,减少黑条矮缩病对水稻生产的危害。本研究构建了包含222个家系的L5494/IR36重组自交系群体。对该群体进行黑条矮缩病的田间诱发鉴定,抗性亲本IR36发病率为28.70%,感病亲本L5494发病率为84.26%,群体发病率范围为11.21%～89.81%。利用134对分子标记构建覆盖12条染色体的遗传连锁图谱,总遗传距离为1475.97 cM,平均标记间距为11.1 cM。利用QTL IciMapping 4.0对抗黑条矮缩病QTL进行分析,共检测到4个QTL,其中第1、第2、第9染色体上QTL的表型贡献率分别为12.64%、16.00%和8.43%,抗病等位基因来自抗病亲本IR36;第6染色体上QTL的表型贡献率为10.82%,抗病等位基因来自感病亲本L5494。在此基础上,利用93-11为供体、日本晴为背景的近等基因系材料,在qRBSDV-1定位区间内检测到来自93-11的抗性QTL。本研究结果为水稻黑条矮缩病抗性基因定位及分子标记辅助选择育种提供借鉴。     

水稻资源全生育期耐盐性鉴定筛选

对来自国内外不同地区的550份水稻资源进行全生育期耐盐性鉴定。设置淡水、0.3%和0.5%盐溶液浇灌3个处理,插秧10d后,通过浇灌不同体积的淡水与海水调至设计浓度对水稻进行不同浓度的盐胁迫处理。分别调查了淡水及0.3%盐处理下水稻株高、有效分蘖数、主穗长度、主穗结实率、单株产量、抽穗期6项农艺性状和0.5%盐处理下的水稻耐盐表型。与淡水浇灌相比,全生育期在0.3%盐溶液处理下,550份水稻(100%)株高显著降低;124份(22.55%)水稻有效分蘖数(90份增加, 34份减少)、414份(75.27%)水稻主穗长度(405份变短、9份增长)、145份(26.36%)水稻主穗结实率(84份减少, 61份增加)、375份(68.18%)水稻单株产量(343份减少, 32份增加)存在(极)显著差异;水稻资源的抽穗期无显著差异。主成分分析表明,主穗结实率、有效分蘖数及单株产量3项性状累计贡献77.25%的变异。根据产量耐盐系数筛选了121份耐盐水稻资源(产量耐盐系数≥0.8),在0.5%盐胁迫持续处理42 d后,筛选了78份耐盐水稻资源(耐盐表型为3级),其中25份水稻资源全生育期在0.3%盐处理下单株产量耐盐系数≥0.8,在0.5%盐胁迫持续处理42 d后的耐盐表型为3级。筛选的耐盐水稻资源为培育耐盐新品种及深入研究耐盐机制提供材料。     

褪黑素诱导小豆抗锈病机理的初步研究

为明确外源褪黑素诱导小豆抗锈性的作用及机理,以感病小豆品种‘宝清红’为材料,采用叶面喷施不同浓度褪黑素激发处理小豆真叶,而后对真叶挑战接种锈菌夏孢子,结果表明,低浓度(11.61 mg/L)褪黑素可显著提升小豆对锈病的抗性。夏孢子萌发试验表明,褪黑素对夏孢子萌发及芽管生长无显著抑制作用,表明褪黑素无抑菌活性。进一步的基因表达分析发现,与对照相比,褪黑素激发诱导了水杨酸(SA)通路关键基因NPR1于接种后24 h显著上调表达,且病程相关蛋白PR1、几丁质酶(CHI)、β-1,3-葡聚糖酶(GLU)及PR5均于接种后24～120 h被显著诱导表达,说明褪黑素可能通过诱导NPR1表达,进而激活下游PR蛋白的高水平应答,使感锈病小豆品种获得对锈病的抗性。     

硅藻土对5种储粮害虫和不同磷化氢抗性水平杂拟谷盗防治效果的研究

为初步了解硅藻土对储粮害虫的防治效果以及与害虫磷化氢抗性发生发展的关系, 本研究采用直接拌粮法(设置剂量梯度为0?0.2?0.4?0.6 g/kg和 0.8 g/kg)测定硅藻土对赤拟谷盗?杂拟谷盗?锈赤扁谷盗?谷蠹?玉米象的防治效果, 以及磷化氢抗性杂拟谷盗(抗性倍数为 2.3~144.7)对硅藻土的敏感性差异; 除此之外, 本研究还分析了0.4 g/kg硅藻土在 4 种粮食(小麦?玉米?大豆?稻谷)中对赤拟谷盗的杀虫效果?研究结果表明:一定剂量(0.2~0.8 g/kg)的硅藻土均能够在一定时间内有效杀死上述 5种储粮害虫, 不同储粮害虫对硅藻土的敏感性存在显著差异(P<0.05), 其中杂拟谷盗对硅藻土的耐受性最强, 玉米象对硅藻土最为敏感?除个别品系外, 不同磷化氢抗性品系的杂拟谷盗对硅藻土的敏感性不存在显著差异(P>0.05), 且与磷化氢抗性无关; 硅藻土在不同粮食中对害虫的作用效果存在显著性差异(P<0.05)(处理 7 d后, 死亡率为 13%~98%), 其中在大豆中对赤拟谷盗的杀虫效果最强, 在玉米中对其作用效果不明显?因此本研究得出结论:硅藻土对主要储粮害虫均具有一定的防治作用, 且对抗磷化氢的杂拟谷盗具有良好的致死效果?因此, 硅藻土具备成为储粮害虫防治及其磷化氢抗性治理药剂的潜力?     

Cf-2/Rcr3pim番茄品系对南方根结线虫的抗性测定

Cf-2/Rcr3~(pim)基因型番茄不仅能够抵御番茄叶霉菌的侵染,而且对马铃薯金线虫的寄生也有一定的抑制效果。为挖掘根结线虫的新抗性资源,本研究采用室内人工接种法测定了Cf-0/Rcr3~(pim)、Cf-2/Rcr3-3和Cf-2/Rcr3~(pim)基因型番茄品系对南方根结线虫的抗感性。抗性评价结果显示,Cf-0/Rcr3~(pim)品系对南方根结线虫表现高感,Cf-2/Rcr3-3品系为中感,而Cf-2/Rcr3~(pim)品系则为感病。与Cf-0/Rcr3~(pim)和Cf-2/Rcr3-3基因型相比,Cf-2/Rcr3~(pim)基因型番茄品系虽然对南方根结线虫侵染的敏感性略低,但是不能阻止线虫在根系上的大量繁殖,不适于根结线虫的防控应用。     

钾肥和硅肥对油用亚麻茎秆抗倒伏特性的影响

为了优化油用亚麻抗倒伏的肥料运筹措施,以‘陇亚11号’和‘定亚23号’为试验材料,通过裂区设计,研究了钾肥（不施钾、52.5 kg K₂O/hm²和105 kg K₂O /hm² 3个水平）和硅肥（不施硅和90 kg SiO₂/hm² 2个水平）用量对油用亚麻茎秆形态学、力学抗倒伏特性及产量的影响。结果表明：‘陇亚11号’的株高、重心高度及茎粗、壁厚、抗折力均显著大于‘定亚23号’,茎秆形态学及力学抗倒伏特性的综合影响下,‘陇亚11号’较‘定亚23号’倒伏率提高21.24%而产量降低9.43%。钾肥显著改善了抗倒的茎秆表观形态学特性,施钾后茎粗、壁厚、茎秆抗折力、抗倒伏指数提高而株高和重心高度降低,千粒重和籽粒产量分别提高7.35%和9.34%。硅肥对茎秆形态学、力学特性及籽粒产量均无主效应,但硅肥与钾肥的互作使茎粗显著增加。抗倒伏指数与茎粗、壁厚呈显著正相关,与株高、重心高度呈显著负相关。品种间的茎秆抗倒伏特性差异较大,施用钾肥显著改善了抗倒的茎秆表观形态学特性,优化了茎秆机械性能,增强了油用亚麻的抗倒伏能力;供钾量较低时,硅肥与钾肥对茎粗的互作正效应明显。     

播期对直播水稻产量、花后各器官干物质和氮素积累及转运的影响

为探究播期对直播水稻产量、花后干物质和氮素积累与转运的影响,以水稻品种白粳1号、长白9号和龙粳31号为供试材料,设置3个播期（SD1、SD2和SD3）,比较不同播期条件下3个品种的产量、抽穗期和成熟期各器官干物质及氮素积累与转运特点。3个品种抽穗期和成熟期各器官干物质及氮素积累量、抽穗至成熟期各器官干物质及氮素转运量和产量均表现为SD2>SD3>SD1。相关分析表明,产量与成熟期穗干物质及氮素积累量呈显著正相关,与叶片干物质和氮素转运量呈显著正相关。在本试验条件下,播期的推迟提高了3个品种有效穗数及结实率,进而提高了产量,同时促进了各器官物质转运量与转运率的提高。各品种SD2处理的产量及花后干物质、氮素积累量最高,SD2为适宜播期。     

Effect of DNA methylation of miR-30a-5p promoter region on hepatic injury induced by homocysteine

AIM: To explore the role of DNA methylation of microRNA-30a-5p(miR-30a-5p) promoter region in hepatic injury. METHODS: Four-week-old normal mice and cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) single gene knockout mice were used and divided into normal (CBS^+/+, n=12) group and single gene knockout (CBS^+/-, n=12) group, and the mice were fed with high methionine diet for 8 weeks. HL-7702 hepatic cells were routinely cultured in vitro and divided into control group, homocysteine (Hcy) group and Hcy+5-azacytidne (AZC) group. Serum Hcy, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were measured by automatic biochemical analyzer. The levels of ALT and AST in the cells culture medium were determined by the microplate method. Hepatic injury in the mice were observed with HE staining. Cell viability staining was used to measure the viability of hepatocytes. RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of miR-30a-5p in the liver tissues and hepatocytes. The correlation between the expression of miR-30a-5p and serum ALT and AST levels was analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis. DNA methylation level of miR-30a-5p promoter region in the liver tissues and hepatocytes was detected by nested landing methylation-specific PCR (nMS-PCR). RESULTS: Compared with the CBS^+/+ mice, the serum levels of Hcy, ALT and AST in the CBS^+/- mice were significantly increased (P < 0.05). HE staining showed the hepatocyte swelling and nuclear fragmentation and dissolution. The expression level of miR-30a-5p in the liver tissues was decreased (P < 0.01). Besides, the expression level of miR-30a-5p in the mice was negatively correlated with serum ALT and AST levels (r²=0.4557, P=0.0003, r²=0.4626, P=0.0003), and the DNA methylation of miR-30a-5p promoter region was increased (P < 0.01). In the HL-7702 cells, compared with control group,the ALT and AST levels were increased in Hcy group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and the cell viability was remarkablely decreased. DNA methylation of miR-30a-5p promoter region was increased (P < 0.01), which decreased after treated the cells with AZC (P < 0.05), while the expression level of miR-30a-5p in the cells was increased (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Hypermethylation of miR-30a-5p promoter region may play an important role in hepatic injury.