Identification of a phytoplasma associated with pomegranate little leaf disease in Iran

During 2012–2014 surveys for the presence of phytoplasma diseases in Fars province (Iran), pomegranate little leaf symptoms were observed in several orchards in Khafr and Neyriz areas. Samples collected from symptomatic plants positively reacted in nested PCR assays using P1/P7 followed by R16F2n/R16R2 primer pairs producing the expected 1,250 bp DNA fragments. Real and virtual RFLP analysis showed that the sequences of phytoplasma strains from Khafr and Neyriz (KPLL and NPLL strains, respectively) were identical to each other and belong to 16SrII phytoplasma group, subgroup D. Phylogenetic analysis of the R16F2n⁄R16R2 DNA region confirmed that KPLL and NPLL phytoplasmas were enclosed in the same clade as other 16SrII-D subgroup phytoplasmas. This is the first reported occurrence of a 16SrII phytoplasma infecting pomegranate trees.     

Effects of Jiedu-Qingfei mixture on NF-κB and p38 MAPK pathways in lung tissues of rats with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection

AIM: To observe the therapeutic effect of Jiedu-Qingfei mixture on Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP)-infected rat lung tissues and to explore its mechanism. METHODS: SD rats (n=40) were randomly divided into 4 groups:blank control group, model group, Jiedu-Qingfei group and positive control group, with 10 rats in each group. The rats in experimental groups were slowly dripped with 1×10⁹ CFU/L MP solution into their nostrils for 4 d. One rat in each group was sacrificed for MP nucleic acid detection at the second day after inoculation, and the other rats were given gavage therapy. The rats in blank control group and model group were intragastrically given the same volume of normal saline, the rats in Jiedu-Qingfei group were given 8 mL/kg Jiedu-Qingfei mixture daily for 4 weeks, and the rats in psoitive control group were given dexmethasone sodium phosphate (0.5 mg·kg^-1·d^-1). After the experiment, the rats were killed. The serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected for detecting the levels of interleukin-12 (IL-12), IL-13 and TNF-α by ELISA. The right lung tissues were used for pathological observation and HE staining, while the left lung tissues were used to detect the expression of NF-κB p50, I-κBα and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) at mRNA and protein levels. RESULTS: The results of MP nucleic acid detection showed that all the rats except blank control group were MP nucleic acid positive, indicating that the rat model of MP infection was successfully established. On the 1st day of the treatment, the pathological scores of the lung tissues in model group and Jiedu-Qingfei group were significantly higher than those in blank control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the pathological scores of the lung tissues in mo-del group were significantly higher than those in blank control group and Jiedu-Qingfei group. The levels of IL-12 in the serum and BALF in model group were significantly lower than those in blank control group after MP infection (P<0.05), while those after treatment with Jiedu-Qingfei mixture were significantly higher than those in model group (P<0.05). The levels of IL-13 and TNF-α in the serum and BALF of MP-infected rats were increased significantly, while those after treatment with Jiedu-Qingfei mixture were significantly lower than those in model group (P<0.05). The mRNA expression levels of NF-κB p50 and p38 MAPK in model group were increased significantly (P<0.01). After treatment, the mRNA expression levels of NF-κB p50 and p38 MAPK were decreased significantly compared with model group (P<0.01). The mRNA expression level of I-κBα in model group was significantly lower than that in control group. After treatment, the mRNA expression of I-κBα in Jiedu-Qingfei group was significantly higher than that in model group (P<0.05). The protein levels of NF-κB p50 and p38 MAPK in the lung tissues of model group were significantly higher than those of blank control group. After treatment, the protein expression of NF-κB p50 and p38 MAPK was decreased significantly. The protein level of I-κBα in model group was significantly lower than that in blank control group, and after treatment with Jiedu-Qingfei mixture, the protein expression level of I-κBα was increased significantly (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Jiedu-Qingfei mixture may attenuate lung tissue inflammation caused by MP through NF-κB and p38 MAPK pathways.     

年轻群体在公共绿地中的活动参与度调查——以上海浦东新区部分公园为例

公共绿地作为开放空间,公众可以共享自然环境及社会资源。而当下公共绿地中不同群体的参与度存在较大差异,尤其是年轻群体参与度低。笔者以上海浦东新区部分公共绿地中年轻群体活动参与度为研究对象,从年轻群体的低参与度、活动意愿及管理者角度等方面,分析了年轻群体低参与度的原因,认为原因主要是年轻群体缺乏业余时间、绿地可达距离较远、活动内容缺乏等。在调查基础上,从活动载体、信息渠道、服务方式等方面提出建议,主张公共绿地管理者转变服务理念、开拓有益活动、建立信息平台、优化空间资源,以提高社会服务效能。     

EZH2-mediated regulation of NF-κB target gene expression in gastric cancer

AIM: To explore the mechanism by which over-expression of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) in a panel of gastric cancer cell lines is involved in tumorigenesis of gastric cancer. METHODS: Real-time PCR and Western blot were employed to examine the mRNA and protein levels of EZH2, respectively. MTS assay, cell migration and soft agar assay were performed to investigate the role of EZH2 in the regulation of stomach cancer behaviors. The effect of EZH2 on NF-κB target gene expression was determined by Luciferase reporter and real-time PCR. Co-immunoprecipitation was used to analyze the interaction of EZH2 and p65 in HEK293T cells. RESULTS: The expression levels of EZH2 were significantly increased in the gastric cancer cells compared with normal gastric epithelial cells. Pharmacological inhibition by DZNep or knockdown of EZH2 significantly compromised AGS and SNU-16 cell activity, cell migration and anchorage-independent cell growth. Moreover, siRNA knockdown of EZH2 impaired NF-κB downstream targets, such as IL-8, CXCL5 and CCL20. In addition, the interaction of EZH2 and p65 was detected. CONCLUSION: EZH2 mediates the growth of gastric cancer cells through the regulation of NF-κB downstream gene expression.     

从协同教育看日本文学精品课程群的建立

日本文学课程作为日语专业高年级阶段课程,在日语专业人才培养中占有重要地位。文章拟从协同教育理论角度出发,探讨日本文学精品课程群的创建模式,旨在为日益繁盛的日本文学课程教学改革模式研究提供可行性参考。     

2种羊巴贝斯虫的核型及系统发育分析

为明确引起羊巴贝斯虫病的病原虫莫氏巴贝斯虫临潭株(Babesia motasi Lintan,BLT)及羊巴贝斯虫未定种新疆株(Babesia sp.Xinjiang,BXJ)的核型和亲缘关系,通过DNA大片段脉冲场凝胶电泳(PFGE)和三代高通量测序对2种虫体进行核型分析和系统发育分析。结果表明:2种巴贝斯虫都有4条染色体,但基因组的大小与核型分析不一致,莫氏巴贝斯虫临潭株基因组大小为11.1 Mb,4条染色体大小分别为6.0 Mb、3.0 Mb、1.1 Mb和1.0 Mb;羊巴贝斯虫未定种新疆株基因组大小为7.0 Mb,4条染色体分别为2.4 Mb、2.0 Mb、1.7 Mb和0.9 Mb;羊巴贝斯虫未定种新疆株与牛巴贝斯虫的亲缘性较近,而莫氏巴贝斯虫临潭株与双芽巴贝斯虫的亲缘关系较近。     

草莓白化相关病毒中国分离物全基因组分析

草莓白化相关病毒(strawberrypallidosis-associatedvirus,SPa V)属于长线形病毒科(Closteroviridae)毛形病毒属(Crinivirus),可引起草莓病害,2017年在中国首次报道。采用高通量测序、RACE和RT-PCR技术获得了SPa V中国分离物(FJ)的基因组全长。该病毒含有两条正单链基因组RNA1和RNA2。RNA1全长8 048 nt,5′和3′非编码区序列分别为264和197 nt,含有3个开放阅读框(ORF),分别编码ORF 1a/1b融合蛋白和p9蛋白。RNA2全长7 977 nt,5′和3′非编码区序列分别为248和186 nt,含有8个开放阅读框(ORF),分别编码HSP70h、CPh、CP、CPm、p7、p6、p9和p28等8个蛋白。RNA1和RNA2与美国M1分离物分别具有98.5%和99.0%的核苷酸一致性;系统发育分析结果表明,SPa V中国分离物(FJ)单独处在一个分支。对SPa V来源的小RNA的分析表明,来源于SPa V的小RAN长度以21和22 nt为主。     

甘肃华山松溃疡病病原真菌类群的初步鉴定

近年来甘肃陇南地区华山松溃疡病发生严重，导致华山松大面积死亡，但有关病害发生的原因等尚不清楚。采用组织分离法从感病华山松的健康部位、病健交界处、子实体及病组织处分离获得97个真菌菌株，结合形态学及系统学对分离到的菌株进行初步分析。结果显示，所得菌株分为9个种，其中Neocosmospora silvicola占14.17%，Fusicolla violacea占1.67%，Microcera sp.占8.33%，Neonectria neomacrospora占11.67%，Dermea pinicola占8.33%，Nematogonum ferrugineum占9.17%，Pezicula sporulosa占4.17%，Phaeoacremonium fraxinopennsylvanicum占14.17%，Sarea resinae占9.17%。以丛赤壳科为优势菌群，占总菌株数量的44.33%；初步推断Neocosmospora silvicola为疑似病原菌。     

Effects of baicalin on glial fibrillary acidic protein and nuclear factor-κB expression in juvenile rat hippocampus after status convulsion

AIM: To study the effects of baicalin (BC) on glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) expression and neuronal apoptosis in juvenile rat hippocampus after status convulsion (SC). METHODS: One hundred and ninety five juvenile male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: normal saline pretreatment group (NS group), SC group and SC with BC pretreatment group (BC group). Each of these 3 groups would be subdivided into 5 subgroups sacrificed at 4 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after SC. The rat SC model was prepared by lithium-pilocarpine chemical method. The protein expression of GFAP and NF-κB was detected by the method of immunohistochemistry. The mRNA expression of GFAP was detected by RT-PCR. The neuronal apoptosis was observed by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). RESULTS: Compared with NS group, the GFAP positive cells was increased in SC group (P<0.05). Compared with SC group, the expression of GFAP was significantly reduced in BC group (P<0.05). Compared with NS group, the NF-κB positive cells was increased in SC group (P<0.05). Compared with SC group, the expression of NF-κB was significantly reduced in BC group. RT-PCR showed that the expression trend of GFAP mRNA was similar to that of the protein. Compared with NS group, the TUNEL positive cells in the hippocampus CA1 area in SC group increased significantly 12 h after SC (P<0.01), and reached a peak at 48 h. After the intervention with BC, the TUNEL positive cells decreased significantly between 12~48 h after SC (P<0.05 or P<0.01), but the number of TUNEL positive cells remained significantly greater than that in NS group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The expression of GFAP and NF-κB in the hippocampus increased after SC in rats. Baicalin decreases the expression of GFAP and NF-κB in hippocampus of rats with pilocarpine-induced seizures, and reduces the number of neuronal apoptosis, suggesting that baicalin may protect against the brain damage caused by status convulsion.     

Effect of eleutheroside B/E on proliferation and expression of PPARγ and TGF-β1 in HBZY-1 cells cultured with high glucose

AIM: To explore the effects and mechanism of eleutheroside (ETS) B or E on the proliferation of HBZY-1 cells treated with high glucose. METHODS: The HBZY-1 cells were cultured under high glucose condition. The 4th generation of HBZY-1 cells was used for determining the optimal cell density, which was consistent with the growth regulation curve of the cells. The cells were divided into 6 groups: low glucose (LG) group, high glucose (HG) group, high glucose plus ETS-B/E (low dose, medium dose and high dose) groups, and high glucose plus losartan (LTG) group. After all cells were treated with the corresponding drugs at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h, the inhibitory rate of the proliferation was measured, and the expression of TGF-β1 and PPARγ was detected by immunocytochemistry and Western blotting. RESULTS: The best cell density was 2 000 cells/well, which was complied with the basic rules of the cell growth, and high glucose significantly promoted the HBZY-1 cell proliferation. At each time point, the inhibitory effects of ETS-B/E were significantly different between HG group and LTG group on the proliferation of the HBZY-1 cells (P<0.05). The expression of TGF-β1 was significantly inhibited, and the expression of PPARγ was significantly promoted by ETS-B/E (P<0.05). ETS-E showed stronger effect than ETS-B (P<0.05) in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: ETS-B/E significantly inhibits the proliferation of HBZY-1 cells under high glucose condition by decreasing TGF-β1 expression and promoting PPARγ expression.