The biological characters of Bmelav-like genes in the development of Bombyx mori

The ELAV/Hu family is a conserved multigene family of pan-neuronal RNA-binding protein involved in post-transcriptional regulation in metazoans. In Drosophila, three members of this family, ELAV, RBP9 and FNE, are involved in neuronal differentiation, gene expression regulation and so on. This family is less well characterized in Bombyx mori. Two orthologs BmELAV-like-1 (BmEL-1) and BmELAV-like-2 (BmEL-2) share 55%-71% and 47%-62% identity with that of in Drosophila and humans, respectively. Bmel-1 is ubiquitously expressed while Bmel-2 is expressed in the head and ovaries specifically. Proteins encoded by both genes are localized in nuclear and cytoplasm. The weight of body, cocoon, pupae and cocoon shell are differently affected in Bmel-1^- /-2^- mutants created using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Mutations of both genes increase the expression of four silk protein genes, Fib-L, Fib-H, P25 and Ser-1. In addition, the oviposition ability of Bmel-2^- females is decreased. This study not only provides valuable insights into the functional roles of Bmelav-like genes in the growth, cocoon characters and regulation of silk protein genes expression, but also provides useful information for silkworm variety breeding.

[A preliminary study on the mixed teaching of human parasitology based on MOOC resources and the experimental teaching digital platform]

The mixed teaching model combines the advantages of traditional teaching and network teaching in the "Internet +" era, which has become one of the important trends in the higher education teaching development. In order to follow this development trend, the human parasitology teaching team makes a reasonable use of modern information techniques, actively promotes the construction and application of online resources, and conducts mixed online and offline teaching based on MOOC resources and the experimental teaching digital platform. This mixed teaching model has shown a positive impact on both teaching and learning among teachers and students; however, students' personalized independent and deep learning remains unsatisfactory. It is suggested that the online course resources construction, teaching design and digital literacy remain to be increased, so as to create a high-level, innovative and challenging online-offline mixed "golden course".

Metagenomics analysis of intestinal flora modulatory effect of green tea polyphenols by a circadian rhythm dysfunction mouse model

The present study investigated the regulatory mechanism of green tea polyphenols (GTP) on the circadian rhythm of gut flora. The administration of GTP mitigated the variations in the serum and liver level of constant dark (CD)-induced circadian rhythm disorder mouse model. For the gut microbial population, GTP promoted the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes while inhibited Firmicutes. Furthermore, KEGG pathways of biosynthesis of amino acids, two-component system and ATP-binding cassette translocators enriched the most differentially expressed genes after GTP interference. It indicated GTP may prevent CD-induced circadian rhythm disorder, which has an enormous potential to be utilized as prebiotic-like ingredients in food industry. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The findings underscore the capacity of GTP to modulate circadian rhythm by modulating the structure and functional characteristics of host gut microbiota and influencing metabolism, conducing to the melioration of human microecology. The prebiotic function of GTP indicated it can be used to prevent metabolic disturbance related to circadian rhythm disorder.

MicroRNA-338-3p inhibits the progression of bladder cancer through regulating ETS1 expression

OBJECTIVE

MicroRNA-338-3p (miR-338-3p) was reported to influence the metastasis and development of several human cancers. However, in bladder cancer (BC), the special function of miR-338-3p remains unknown. Here, we aimed at exploring the miR-338-3p function in the progression of BC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

miR-338-3p and ETS1 expressions were examined by quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in BC samples. Following that, transwell assays for cell migration and invasion were performed. And MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay for cell proliferation was conducted as well. Western blot was employed to examine the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) marker expressions. Finally, the relationship between miR-338-3p and E26 transformation specific-1 (ETS1) was verified by luciferase reporter assay.

RESULTS

The decreased miR-338-3p expression was examined in BC cells. Moreover, miR-338-3p upregulation repressed cell proliferation ability in BC. Next, miR-338-3p upregulation also depressed cell metastasis and EMT in BC cells. Furthermore, ETS1 was a direct target of miR-338-3p and inversely associated with its expression. And upregulation of ETS1 partially rescued the suppression of miR-338-3p for cell proliferation and metastasis in BC.

CONCLUSIONS

Upregulation of miR-338-3p inhibited the proliferation, metastasis and EMT in BC by suppressing ETS, showing that miR-338-3p might block the development of BC through regulating ETS1 expression.

Cogeneration of hot electrons from multiple laser-plasma instabilities

Interactions of two-plasmon decay (TPD) and side-stimulated Raman scattering (SSRS) were studied using three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations under inertial-confinement-fusion-relevant conditions for linearly and circularly polarized lasers. In the linear stage, SSRS took place under n_{e}=0.235n_{c} and TPD dominated near the quarter-critical density surface and their growth rates agreed with theory. In the nonlinear stage, SSRS reduced TPD through pump depletion. Hot electrons were found to be first accelerated by SSRS plasma waves and then by TPD plasma waves through a cogeneration mechanism. Compared to the linearly polarized case with the same laser intensity, both SSRS and TPD were reduced due to the lower laser amplitude in the circularly polarized case. As a result, a 30% decrease in hot electron flux was observed.

A simple program for fast tilting electron-beam sensitive crystals to zone axes

Tilting crystals to proper zone axes is a necessary but tedious work in taking selected area electron diffraction patterns (SAED) and high-resolution images using transmission electron microscope (TEM). This process not only costs a lot of time but also limits the application of TEM in electron-beam sensitive materials. Therefore, it is desirable to develop a simple method for tilting crystals from random orientations to a specific zone axis quickly. Herein, we describe a novel program, Zones, which can index the electron diffraction pattern and calculate the tilting angles of a double-tilt sample holder from the current orientation to a desired zone axis. It can also bring crystals that are slightly deviated from a zone axis to the exact zone with the help of Laue ring in the diffraction pattern. This program has been successfully applied to studies of zeolites and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), known as being electron-beam sensitive. The program shows its power not only in saving the operator's time but also in preventing the crystals from quick beam damages.

Three-dimensional particle-in-cell modeling of parametric instabilities near the quarter-critical density in plasmas

The nonlinear regime of laser-plasma interactions including both two-plasmon decay (TPD) and stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) instabilities has been studied in three-dimensional (3D) particle-in-cell simulations with parameters relevant to the inertial confinement fusion (ICF) experiments. SRS and TPD develop in the same region in plasmas, and the generation of fast electrons can be described accurately with only the full model including both SRS and TPD. The growth of instabilities in the linear stage is found to be in good agreement with analytical theories. In the saturation stage the low-frequency density perturbations driven by the daughter waves of the SRS side scattering can saturate the TPD and consequently inhibit the fast-electron generation. The fast-electron flux in 3D modeling is up to an order of magnitude smaller than previously reported in 2D TPD simulations, bringing it close to the results of ICF experiments.

Advantages of using reduced-volume intensity modulated radiation therapy for the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a retrospective paired study

BACKGROUND

The definition of clinical target volume (CTV) in intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has not been addressed. We performed this study to assess the feasibility and efficacy of using IMRT with reduced-volume CTV for the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 293 non-metastatic NPC patients treated with IMRT from 2002 to 2013. A total of 180 matched cases finally included with 90 received conventional-volume IMRT (CV-IMRT) and 90 received reduced-volume IMRT (RV-IMRT). Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank tests were used to compare NPC-specific survival. Multivariate analyses using the Cox proportional hazards model were conducted to detect independent predictors.

RESULTS

With a median follow-up of 70 months, the 3-year overall survival, progression-free survival, distant metastasis-free survival, local recurrence-free survival, regional recurrence-free survival, locoregional recurrence-free survival rates were 88.9, 84.4, 92.2, 91.1, 98.9, 91.1% for the CV-IMRT arm and 92.2, 85.6, 90.0, 93.3, 98.9, 93.3% for the RV-IMRT arm, respectively. None significant survival difference was observed. Additionally, RV-IMRT was associated with reduced risk of late xerostomia (P = 0.039) and hearing loss (P = 0.008), compared versus CV-IMRT.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of RV-IMRT for the treatment of NPC led to comparable survival condition and truly reduced toxicity reactions compared versus CV-IMRT.

Self-Similar Multimode Bubble-Front Evolution of the Ablative Rayleigh-Taylor Instability in Two and Three Dimensions

The self-similar nonlinear evolution of the multimode ablative Rayleigh-Taylor instability (ARTI) is studied numerically in both two and three dimensions. It is shown that the nonlinear multimode bubble-front penetration follows the α_{b}A_{T}(∫sqrt[g]dt)^{2} scaling law with α_{b} dependent on the initial conditions and ablation velocity. The value of α_{b} is determined by the bubble competition theory, indicating that mass ablation reduces α_{b} with respect to the classical value for the same initial perturbation amplitude. It is also shown that ablation-driven vorticity accelerates the bubble velocity and prevents the transition from the bubble competition to the bubble merger regime at large initial amplitudes leading to higher α_{b} than in the classical case. Because of the dependence of α_{b} on initial perturbation and vorticity generation, ablative stabilization of the nonlinear ARTI is not as effective as previously anticipated for large initial perturbations.

Spermatogenesis-associated 48 is essential for spermatogenesis in mice

Azoospermia, oligospermia and teratozoospermia all seriously impact male reproductive health. Spermatogenesis is a complex and precisely regulated process in which germ cells proliferate and differentiate and involves the regulation of multiple testis-specific genes. Here, we identified testis-specific gene spermatogenesis-associated 48 (SPATA48), the expression of which was age-dependent, indicating that it is involved in spermatogenesis. In humans and mice with azoospermia, expression of SPATA48 disappeared in the testis. Spata48-/- knockout male mice had smaller testis and defective spermatogenesis compared to wild-type (WT) mice. This study can help in the exploration of the genetic basis of male infertility and identify new targets for the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.

Nonlinear excitation of the ablative Rayleigh-Taylor instability for all wave numbers

Small-scale perturbations in the ablative Rayleigh-Taylor instability (ARTI) are often neglected because they are linearly stable when their wavelength is shorter than a linear cutoff. Using two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) numerical simulations, it is shown that linearly stable modes of any wavelength can be destabilized. This instability regime requires finite amplitude initial perturbations and linearly stable ARTI modes to be more easily destabilized in 3D than in 2D. It is shown that for conditions found in laser fusion targets, short wavelength ARTI modes are more efficient at driving mixing of ablated material throughout the target since the nonlinear bubble density increases with the wave number and small-scale bubbles carry a larger mass flux of mixed material.

Synthesis of a lignin-based phosphorus-containing flame retardant and its application in polyurethane

In this work, new lignin-based flame retardant LHDs were successfully synthesized through the reaction between lignin, 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO) and hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI). The chemical structure of LHD was characterized by FTIR, ¹H NMR, ³¹P NMR. The thermal stability of LHD was studied by TGA. The results showed that the residual carbon content of L15HD (15% of lignin in LHD) at 600 °C reached 16.55%, indicating that this prepared flame retardant can be a type of good char forming agent. LHDs were then applied to prepare flame-retardant lignin-based polyurethane (FLPU). Lignin-based polyurethane (LPU) was synthesized by the reaction between lignin, polyethylene glycol 200 (PEG 200) and hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI). The limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of the FLPU reached 30.2% when the addition content of L15HD (15% lignin in LHD) in L₂₀PU (20% lignin in LPU) was 25%, exhibiting excellent flame-retardant properties. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of the FLPU char residual showed that there was a continuous dense outer carbon layer on the residue surface, and the inner carbon layer had many expansion bubbles, indicating the LHDs have an excellent flame retardant effect for PU. In addition, FLPU presented better hardness and adhesion than PU. The hardness of F_L15-25L₂₀PU (lignin content in LPU was 20%, and added content of L15HD in LPU was 25%) reached 4H, and its adhesion was 0. These excellent properties illustrated that the LHDs are ideal flame retardants and reinforcing agents for LPU because of the co-curing and strong interface between LHD and LPU.

In this work, new lignin-based flame retardant LHDs were successfully synthesized through the reaction between lignin, 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO) and hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI).

[Antibody persistence following on different vaccination strategies of domestic measles, mumps and rubella combined attenuated live vaccine: a 3-year follow-up study]

Objective: To assess the 3-year antibody persistence after vaccination of domestic measles, mumps and rubella combined attenuated live vaccine (MMR) with different program. Methods: Children from three different vaccination strategies (Group 8 m MR: 8 months and 18 months vaccinated with measles-rubella combined attenuated live vaccine and domestic MMR,respectively; Group 8 m MMR: 8 months and 18 months both vaccinated with domestic MMR; Group 12 m MMR: 12 months and 22 months both vaccinated with domestic MMR ) were followed up in Zhejiang province in July 2015. There were 170 participants in Group 8 m MR, 171 participants in Group 8 m MMR and 173 participants in Group 12 m MMR selected by simple random sampling method .Blood samples (venous blood 2-3 ml) were collected 1 month after the first dose vaccination of MMR (only in Group 8 m MMR and Group 12 m MMR) and 3 years (36-38 months) after the last dose vaccination of MMR and tested for antibody IgG against Measles, Mumps and Rubella using ELISA. Seropostive rate and Geometric mean concentration (GMC) were calculated and compared among different groups by Chi-square test or Fisher exact test and Kruskal-Wallis H test. Results: A total of 514 participants (8 m MR: 170; 8 m MMR:171; 12 m MMR:173) were enrolled. The overall seropositivity rate of measles, mumps and rubella was 98.1% (504), 93.4% (480) and 88.1% (453), respectively, with corresponding GMC was 1 012.33 mU/ml, 502.87 U/ml and 50.53 U/ml respectively. There was no significant difference of seropositivity rate for measles among three groups (all groups were>97%). The highest seropositivity rate for mumps was found in the Group 12 m MMR with the rate of 98.8% (171/173), followed by Group 8 m MMR and Group 8 m MR with 93.0% (159/171) and 88.2%(150/170) respectively (Fisher exact test, P<0.001). The highest seropositivity rate for rubella was also found in the Group 12 m MMR with the rate of 94.8% (164/173), followed by Group 8 m MMR and Group 8 m MR with 86.6%(148/171) and 82.9%(141/170) respectively (Fisher exact test, P=0.002). The highest GMC of antibody against measles, mumps and rubella were all found in Group 12 m MMR, with 1 217.30 (1 119.35-1 323.82) mU/ml, 717.07 (643.83-798.65) U/ml and 62.54(56.21-69.58) U/ml respectively. The lowest GMC of antibody against measles and mumps were both in Group 12 m MR with 812.01 (734.52-897.67) mU/ml and 363.28 (305.42-432.11) U/ml respectively. The lowest GMC of antibody against rubella was in Group 8 m MMR with 44.10 (39.08-49.76) U/ml. These differences of GMCs among three groups were all reach significant means (P<0.05). Conclusion: High level seropostive rates and GMCs were exist against measles and rubella after 3-year vaccination of domestic MMR among different program. Higher antibody level against mumps were found in those children with two doses vaccination of MMR.

[A Study on the establishment of immune thrombocytopenia model induced by anti-platelet GPⅠbα antibodies]

Objective: To establish primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) animal model induced by anti-platelet membrane glycoprotein GPⅠbα antibodies AN51 and R300. Methods: Twenty guinea pigs (6-8 week) were divided into 4 groups. Five guinea pigs in each group were intravenously injected with different doses of AN51 (0.05, 0.1, 0.2 μg/g) and 0.2 μg/g IgG as control. The whole blood was collected from inner angular venous plexus. Platelets number was determined by an automated cell counter and Swiss-Jim method. Then, the similar protocol was used to establish ITP nude mice model by intraperitoneal injection of different concentrations of anti-platelet GPⅠbα antibody R300, respectively. Results: ①Five minutes after intravenous injection of AN51 at 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 μg/g, the platelet counts of guinea pigs reduced about 0-5%, 50%-60% and 70%-80% compared to the control group, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.01) . ②Six hours after intraperitoneal injection of R300 at 0.05, 0.1, 0.2 μg/g, the platelet counts of nude mice decreased about 20%-30%, 60%-70% and 80%-90% compared to the control group, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.01) . The nude mice, injected 0.2 μg/g R300 once a day for 2 weeks, showed typical ITP clinical manifestations including large number of petechiaes or ecchymoses on limbs, head and abdomen. Conclusion: AN51 at 0.2 μg/g and R300 at 0.2 μg/g could establish stable ITP model in guinea pigs and nude mice respectively.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain JB-1 reverses restraint stress-induced gut dysmotility

BACKGROUND

Environmental stress affects the gut with dysmotility being a common consequence. Although a variety of microbes or molecules may prevent the dysmotility, none reverse the dysmotility.

METHODS

We have used a 1 hour restraint stress mouse model to test for treatment effects of the neuroactive microbe, L. rhamnosus JB-1^™ . Motility of fluid-filled ex vivo gut segments in a perfusion organ bath was recorded by video and migrating motor complexes measured using spatiotemporal maps of diameter changes.

KEY RESULTS

Stress reduced jejunal and increased colonic propagating contractile cluster velocities and frequencies, while increasing contraction amplitudes for both. Luminal application of 10E8 cfu/mL JB-1 restored motor complex variables to unstressed levels within minutes of application. L. salivarius or Na.acetate had no treatment effects, while Na.butyrate partially reversed stress effects on colonic frequency and amplitude. Na.propionate reversed the stress effects for jejunum and colon except on jejunal amplitude.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

Our findings demonstrate, for the first time, a potential for certain beneficial microbes as treatment of stress-induced intestinal dysmotility and that the mechanism for restoration of function occurs within the intestine via a rapid drug-like action on the enteric nervous system.