基于网络药理学分析黄芪防控猪繁殖与呼吸综合征的物质基础及靶点信息

为揭示黄芪防控猪繁殖与呼吸综合征(PRRS)的物质基础及靶点信息,采用网络药理学方法,从中药系统药理学数据库与分析平台(TCMSP)筛选黄芪的潜在活性成分、作用靶点,同时从比较毒理基因组学数据库(CTD)收集PRRS相关宿主基因,最后构建"活性成分-关键靶点"网络、蛋白互作网络,并进行GO功能和KEGG通路富集分析。结果显示,从黄芪筛选出的17个潜在活性成分中,有14个潜在活性成分共计65个基因靶点与PRRS相关宿主基因交叉,其中槲皮素、山奈酚、刺芒柄花素、异鼠李素等潜在活性成分可能对治疗PRRS有重要作用,TNF、IL8、TP53、IL6、IL10、IL1B、JUN等45个蛋白靶点间存在相互作用。此外,黄芪治疗PRRS的作用机制可能涉及细胞外间隙和胞浆等组分,并可能与炎症反应、细胞凋亡、T细胞受体信号通路等生物过程相关。本研究为临床应用黄芪及其提取物治疗PRRS奠定了理论基础。     

不同品种粳稻的锌强化方法研究

通过比较不同锌肥施用方式对不同粳稻品种产量以及稻米锌含量的影响,筛选高效锌水稻品种和最佳锌施用方式。在田间试验条件下,分析9个粳稻品种的稻米产量和锌含量对S(锌肥土施)、SB(锌肥土施结合孕穗期喷施)、SF(锌肥土施结合扬花期喷施)和SBF(锌肥土施结合孕穗期和扬花期喷施)4种锌肥施用方式的响应,结果表明,各水稻品种稻米的锌含量在18.1～29.3 mg·kg~(-1)之间,吉洋1号、吉农大809、吉粳302、吉宏6号、长粳717和稻花香2号为高锌品种,吉农大899为中锌品种,平粳8号和吉粳515为低锌品种。锌肥土施对大多数水稻品种无显著增产作用,不同品种的稻米锌含量在施用锌肥后平均增幅为18.0%;S、SB、SF和SBF处理的稻米锌含量分别较不施锌处理提高了8.3%、17.4%、19.5%和27.0%,但3个喷施处理间的平均锌含量无显著差异。锌肥土施结合叶面喷施能显著提高稻米中的锌含量,不同施用方式的施锌效果因品种而异。选择富锌高产品种,锌肥土施结合适当生育期叶面喷施,可实现增产和稻米锌强化,实现水稻高产优质种植。     

Reduced Germination and Seedling Vigor of Weeds with Root Extracts of Maize and Soybean,and the Mechanism Defined as Allelopathic

Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology - Due to the negative consequences of synthetic herbicides use and their reducing effectiveness due to development of resistant weeds, promotion of...     

Verrucosamide,a Cytotoxic 1,4-Thiazepane-Containing Thiodepsipeptide from a Marine-Derived Actinomycete

A new cytotoxic thiodepsipeptide, verrucosamide (1), was isolated along with the known, related cyclic peptide thiocoraline, from the extract of a marine-derived actinomycete, a Verrucosispora sp., our strain CNX-026. The new peptide, which is composed of two rare seven-membered 1,4-thiazepane rings, was elucidated by a combination of spectral methods and the absolute configuration was determined by a single X-ray diffraction study. Verrucosamide (1) showed moderate cytotoxicity and selectivity in the NCI 60 cell line bioassay. The most susceptible cell lines were MDA-MB-468 breast carcinoma with an LD₅₀ of 1.26 µM, and COLO 205 colon adenocarcinoma with an LD₅₀ of 1.4 µM. Also isolated along with verrucosamide were three small 3-hydroxy(alkoxy)-quinaldic acid derivatives that appear to be products of the same biosynthetic pathway.     

Did incentives help municipalities recover from the Great Recession? Evidence from Midwestern cities

This study assesses the impacts of local business incentives in the largest urban areas of Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin, three Midwestern states that share similar histories and settings. We assembled a unique dataset combining information on two types of incentives, tax increment financing districts and tax abatements, together with socio‐economic, geographic, fiscal, and spatial competitive characteristics for all of the municipalities in six metropolitan areas. The outcome measures include employment growth, establishment formation, and business relocation. The analysis extends knowledge of the effects of economic development incentives in two ways. First, we improve upon previous research by incorporating key factors in municipal decisions to offer incentives. Second, we add to limited empirical evidence concerning local incentives following the Great Recession. Variation in the use of incentives reflects not only local decision‐making but also differing fiscal capacities and situations of adaptation to adverse economic conditions, with some governments pulling back on incentives and others initiating new approaches to retain or lure businesses.     

Effects of different active constituents of Gynostemma pentaphyllum on mitochondrial energy metabolism-related proteins in endothelial cells induced by ox-LDL

AIM To investigate the effects of different components of Gynostemma pentaphyllum ［gypenosides (Gps), gypenoside XLIX (GpXLIX) and ginsenoside Rb3 (GRb3)］ on mitochondrial energy metabolism-related proteins in endothelial cells induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). METHODS EA.hy926 cells were divided into control group, model group, Gps group, GpXLIX group and GRb3 group. The cells in control group were cultured only in DMEM complete medium. The cells in model group were treated with 100 mg/L ox-LDL for 48 h. The cells in Gps group, GpXLIX group and GRb3 group were treated with 100 mg/L ox-LDL for 24 h, and then treated with Gps, GpXLIX and GRb3 at 100 mg/L for another 24 h, respectively. The ATP content in each group was detected by ELISA. The expression levels of mitochondrial energy metabolism-related proteins, cytochrome C oxidase subunit 5a （Cox5a）, NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase core subunit S1 （Ndufs1）, ATP synthase F1 subunit alpha (ATP5a) and cytochrome C (Cyt C）, were determined by Wes automatic Western blot quantitative analysis system and Western blot. RESULTS Compared with control group, the ATP content in model group was decreased (P<0.01). After drug intervention, the ATP content increased to different degrees in Gps group, GpXLIX group and GRb3 group (P<0.01). The results of Wes automatic Western blot quantitative analysis system were consistent with those of Western blot. These results showed that compared with control group, the protein expression of Cox5a, Ndufs1 and ATP5a in model group was decreased, and the protein expression of Cyt C was increased (P<0.01). After intervention, the protein expression of Cox5a, Ndufs1 and ATP5a was increased and the protein expression of Cyt C was decreased in Gps group, GpXLIX group and GRb3 group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Among them, the effect of Gps on the protein expression of Cox5a, Ndufs1 and Cyt C was significantly stronger than those of the 2 monomer components, and the effect of GRb3 was found to be superior in the 2 monomer components. The effect of GpXLIX on ATP5a protein was superior to the other 2 components. CONCLUSION Gynostemma total saponins and related active ingredients protect ox-LDL-induced endothelial cells by affecting mitochondrial energy metabolism-related proteins, thereby preventing and treating atherosclerosis.     

Marker‐assisted breeding for improvement of anaerobic germination in japonica rice (Oryza sativa)

Direct seeding is increasingly being practiced in rice cultivation areas because it saves labour and reduces cost of production and management. In this study, four japonica‐type breeding lines were developed from a cross of a japonica cultivar and an AG‐tolerant donor, KHO, using marker‐assisted selection. Validation of the target genes AG1 and AG2 in the selected lines was examined by PCR analysis and the background recovery rate by the recurrent parent was confirmed by genotyping using a 6K SNP chip. Compared to the recurrent, the survival rates of the selected lines were improved in a range from 33% to 115% in three conditions; in particular, the survival rate was increased in more than twice that of the recurrent parent under the hypoxic condition. The main agronomic trait, yield and quality‐related traits were similar to those of the recurrent parent. The use of these lines will contribute to the expansion of the cultivation area due to the proven economic benefits of direct seeding in Korea.     

Cloning and expression analysis of innate immune genes from red sea bream to assess different susceptibility to megalocytivirus infection

As suggested by the Office International des Epizooties (OIE), fishes belonging to the genus Oplegnathus are more sensitive to megalocytivirus infection than other fish species including red sea bream (Pagrus major). To assess the roles of the innate immune response to these different susceptibilities, we cloned the genes encoding inflammatory factors including IL‐8 and COX‐2, and the antiviral factor like Mx from red sea bream for the first time and performed phylogenetic and structural analysis. Analysed expression levels of IL‐1β, IL‐8 and COX‐2 and the antiviral factor like Mx genes performed with in vivo challenge experiment showed no difference in inflammatory gene expression or respiratory burst activity between red sea bream and rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus). However, the Mx gene expression levels in red sea bream were markedly higher than those in rock bream, suggesting the importance of type I interferon (IFN)‐induced proteins, particularly Mx, during megalocytivirus infection, rather than inflammation‐related genes. The in vitro challenge experiments using embryonic primary cultures derived from both fish species showed no difference in cytopathic effects (CPE), viral replication profiles, and inflammatory and Mx gene expression pattern between the two fish species.     

Electrical properties of graphene/waterborne polyurethane composite films

Graphene is classified as a carbon-based material. Structurally, graphene is made up of carbon-based two-dimensional atomic crystals and a one atom thick planar sheet of sp²-bonded carbon atoms. This sort of arrangement in graphene makes it a unique material with exceptional mechanical, physicochemical, thermal, electrical, optical, and biomedical properties. Methods for graphene-based fabric production mainly use graphene-based materials such as graphene (G), graphene oxide (GO), and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) coated on fabric or yarn. Waterborne polyurethane (WPU) is one of the most rapidly developing and active branches of polyurethane chemistry. More and more attention is being paid to graphene-coated fabrics owing to their low temperature flexibility, the presence of zero or very few VOCs (volatile organic compounds), water resistance, pH stability, superior solvent resistance, excellent weathering resistance, and desirable chemical and mechanical properties. It is used as a coating agent or adhesive for fibers, textiles, and leather. Also, graphene-containing materials have been used to enhance the properties of WPU. In this study, graphene/WPU composite solution and film was prepared to conduct basic research for developing electrical heating textiles which is not harmful to the human body, flexible and excellent in electrical properties. Graphene/WPU composite solutions were prepared with a graphene content of 0, 2, 4, 8, and 16 wt%, and graphene/WPU film was prepared with solution casting method. The graphene contents were analyzed for their surface morphology, electrical properties, and electrical heating properties.