Stabilizing heterochromatin by DGCR8 alleviates senescence and osteoarthritis

DiGeorge syndrome critical region 8 (DGCR8) is a critical component of the canonical microprocessor complex for microRNA biogenesis. However, the non-canonical functions of DGCR8 have not been studied. Here, we demonstrate that DGCR8 plays an important role in maintaining heterochromatin organization and attenuating aging. An N-terminal-truncated version of DGCR8 (DR8dex2) accelerated senescence in human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) independent of its microRNA-processing activity. Further studies revealed that DGCR8 maintained heterochromatin organization by interacting with the nuclear envelope protein Lamin B1, and heterochromatin-associated proteins, KAP1 and HP1γ. Overexpression of any of these proteins, including DGCR8, reversed premature senescent phenotypes in DR8dex2 hMSCs. Finally, DGCR8 was downregulated in pathologically and naturally aged hMSCs, whereas DGCR8 overexpression alleviated hMSC aging and mouse osteoarthritis. Taken together, these analyses uncovered a novel, microRNA processing-independent role in maintaining heterochromatin organization and attenuating senescence by DGCR8, thus representing a new therapeutic target for alleviating human aging-related disorders.

Anisotropic dependence of light extraction behavior on propagation path in AlGaN-based deep-ultraviolet light-emitting diodes

The anisotropic extraction dependence of polarized light on propagation path in AlGaN-based deep-ultraviolet (DUV) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is investigated by simulations and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. Theoretical calculations based on k⋅p approximation and Monte Carol ray tracing indicate that there are two kinds of polarized sources with different angular distributions in ~280 nm AlGaN-based LEDs, s-polarized (spherical-shaped) and p-polarized (dumbbell-shaped) sources, which have different extraction behaviors. It is found that the total light extraction intensities are improved with decreasing the propagation path, and the lateral surface extraction gradually becomes dominant. Moreover, the extraction intensity of s-polarized light improves more than that of p-polarized light when the propagation path decreases, leading to a greater polarization degree. Polarization-resolved PL measurements show that the polarization degree of extracted light from lateral facet of the AlGaN multiple quantum well sample can be enhanced from 1% to 17% as the average propagation path reduces by 0.6 mm, which is consistent with the simulation results of the anisotropic dependence of light extraction on propagation path. Our results are significant for understanding and modulating the anisotropic extraction behavior of polarized light to realize high efficiency AlGaN-based DUV LEDs.

Up-regulation of FOXD1 by YAP alleviates senescence and osteoarthritis

Cellular senescence is a driver of various aging-associated disorders, including osteoarthritis. Here, we identified a critical role for Yes-associated protein (YAP), a major effector of Hippo signaling, in maintaining a younger state of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and ameliorating osteoarthritis in mice. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR associated protein 9 nuclease (Cas9)-mediated knockout (KO) of YAP in hMSCs resulted in premature cellular senescence. Mechanistically, YAP cooperated with TEA domain transcriptional factor (TEAD) to activate the expression of forkhead box D1 (FOXD1), a geroprotective protein. YAP deficiency led to the down-regulation of FOXD1. In turn, overexpression of YAP or FOXD1 rejuvenated aged hMSCs. Moreover, intra-articular administration of lentiviral vector encoding YAP or FOXD1 attenuated the development of osteoarthritis in mice. Collectively, our findings reveal YAP–FOXD1, a novel aging-associated regulatory axis, as a potential target for gene therapy to alleviate osteoarthritis.

The Hippo signalling effector YAP and the transcription factor FOXD1 play a role in alleviating cellular senescence and osteoarthritis, identifying the YAP-FOXD1 axis as a potential therapeutic target for aging-associated disorders.

Stem cell aging contributes to aging-associated degenerative diseases. Studies aiming to characterize the mechanisms of stem cell aging are critical for obtaining a comprehensive understanding of the aging process and developing novel strategies to treat aging-related diseases. As a prevalent aging-associated chronic joint disorder, osteoarthritis is a leading cause of disability. Senescent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) residing in the joint may be a critical target for the prevention of osteoarthritis; however, the key regulators of MSC senescence are little known, and targeting aging regulatory genes for the treatment of osteoarthritis has not yet been reported. Here, we show that Yes-associated protein (YAP), a major effector of Hippo signaling, represses human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) senescence through transcriptional up-regulation of forkhead box D1 (FOXD1). Lentiviral gene transfer of YAP or FOXD1 can rejuvenate aged hMSCs and ameliorate osteoarthritis symptoms in mouse models. We propose that the YAP–FOXD1 axis is a novel target for combating aging-associated diseases.

Modeling CADASIL vascular pathologies with patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells

Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is a rare hereditary cerebrovascular disease caused by a NOTCH3 mutation. However, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms remain unidentified. Here, we generated non-integrative induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from fibroblasts of a CADASIL patient harboring a heterozygous NOTCH3 mutation (c.3226C>T, p.R1076C). Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) differentiated from CADASIL-specific iPSCs showed gene expression changes associated with disease phenotypes, including activation of the NOTCH and NF-κB signaling pathway, cytoskeleton disorganization, and excessive cell proliferation. In comparison, these abnormalities were not observed in vascular endothelial cells (VECs) derived from the patient's iPSCs. Importantly, the abnormal upregulation of NF-κB target genes in CADASIL VSMCs was diminished by a NOTCH pathway inhibitor, providing a potential therapeutic strategy for CADASIL. Overall, using this iPSC-based disease model, our study identified clues for studying the pathogenic mechanisms of CADASIL and developing treatment strategies for this disease.

The anticancer effects of cinobufagin on hepatocellular carcinoma Huh‑7 cells are associated with activation of the p73 signaling pathway

The Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase inhibitor cinobufagin exhibits numerous anticancer effects on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells expressing wild-type p53 via inhibition of aurora kinase A (AURKA) and activation of p53 signaling. However, the effects of cinobufagin on HCC cells expressing mutant p53 remain unclear. In the present study, the anticancer effects of cinobufagin were investigated on HCC Huh-7 cells with mutant p53, and the effects of AURKA overexpression or inhibition on the anticancer effects of cinobufagin were analyzed. Viability, cell cycle progression and apoptosis of cells were determined using an MTT assay, flow cytometry and Hoechst 33342 staining, respectively. The expression levels of p53 and p73 signaling-associated proteins were investigated via western blot analysis. The results demonstrated that the expression levels of AURKA, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), cyclin-dependent kinase 1, cyclin B1, proliferating cell nuclear antigen and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K, as well as the phosphorylation of p53 and mouse double minute 2 homolog, were significantly decreased in Huh-7 cells treated with 5 µmol/l cinobufagin for 24 h. Conversely, the expression levels of Bcl-2-associated X protein, p21, p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis and phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate-induced protein 1, were significantly increased by cinobufagin treatment. Overexpression or inhibition of AURKA suppressed or promoted the anticancer effects of cinobufagin on Huh-7 cells, respectively. These results indicated that cinobufagin may induce anticancer effects on Huh-7 cells via the inhibition of AURKA and p53 signaling, and via the activation of p73 signaling, in an AURKA-dependent manner.

[Genetic characteristic of hemagglutinin of avian influenza A (H7N9) virus in Guizhou Province in 2017]

The number of H7N9 bird flu cases was high and the situation was grim in guizhou province in 2017. To understand the molecular characteristics of the hemagglutinin gene (HA) and the risk of human infection with avian influenza virus A(H7N9) in Guizhou Province, 2017. Homology, genetic evolution and pivotal sites related to receptor binding regions, pathogenicity and potential glycosylation of 14 avian influenza viruses A(H7N9) were analyzed by a series of bioinformation softwares. It was cleared that there was 95.9%-100% similarity among 14 strains in nucleotide of the HA gene, and there were 96.8%-97.8% and 96.8%-97.9% similarities with vaccine strains A/Shanghai/2/2013 and A/Anhui/1/2013 recommended by WHO, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed that 14 HA genes were directly evolved in the Yangtze River Delta evolution branch, but they could be derived from five diffenrent strains. Then 13 of 14 strains cleavage site sequences of HA protein revealed they were low pathogenic avian influenza viruses, while A/Guizhou-Weining/CSY01/2017 was high pathogenic avian influenza virus. Mutation G186V at the receptor binding sites in the HA was found in all 14 strains, and mutation Q226L in 13 strains besides A/Guizhou-Weining/CSY01/2017. All five potential glycosylation motifs in the HA were conservative.

Inhibition of Cannabinoid Receptor 1 Can Influence the Lipid Metabolism in Mice with Diet-Induced Obesity

A growing number of evidences accumulated about critical metabolic role of cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1), carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) in some peripheral tissues, including adipose tissue, liver, skeletal muscle and heart. To better understand the interactions of CB1, CPT1 and PPARs in these tissues, 30 diet-induced obese (DIO) C57BL/6J male mice were obtained, weight-matched and divided into two groups (15 in each group): (i) DIO/vehicle mice (D-Veh) and (ii) DIO/SR141716 mice (D-SR) treated with SR141716 (or rimonabant, a selective CB1 receptor blocker) administered orally (10 mg/kg daily). Another 15 mice fed standard diet (STD) formed the STD/vehicle group (S-Veh). At the end of 3-week treatment, mean body weight was 28.4 ± 0.5, 36.5 ± 0.8, and 30.3 ± 1.2 g for the S-Veh, D-Veh, and D-SR group, respectively (p < 0.05; D-Veh vs. D-SR). Liver weight in the D-SR group was also decreased significantly compared to the D-Veh group (p < 0.05). Serum levels of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, leptin and adiponectin in the D-SR group were ameliorated compared to the D-Veh group (p < 0.05). Both qRT-PCR and Western blot assay revealed that CB1 expression levels were efficiently blocked by SR141716 in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), skeletal muscles and liver (D-SR vs. D-Veh; p < 0.05), whereas there was no significant difference between S-Veh and D-Veh mice (p > 0.05). Simultaneously with the reduction of CB1 expression in the D-SR group, the expression levels of CPT1A isoform (protein) in the liver and heart and CPT1B isoform (protein) in the SAT, VAT, liver and skeletal muscles were significantly increased (p < 0.05; D-SR vs. D-Veh). Interestingly, the CPT1A and CPT1B expression levels in heart were detected slightly. The expression levels of PPARα in the SAT, VAT, liver and skeletal muscles and PPARγ in the SAT and skeletal muscles in the D-SR group were significantly increased compared to the D-Veh mice (p < 0.05). However, the PPARβ expression level differed from that of PPARα and PPARγ. Taken together, these data indicate that the inhibition of CB1 could ameliorate lipid metabolism via the stimulation of the CPT1A and CPT1B expression in vivo. Simultaneously, the PPARα and PPARγ expression levels significantly differed compared to that of PPARβ in obesity and lipid metabolism-related disorders under blockade of CB1. Both the mechanism of the influence of CB1 inhibition on lipid metabolism in the examined tissues and the specific mechanism of PPARα, PPARγ and PPARβ involvement in lipid exchange under these conditions remain to be further elucidated.

[The expression and prognostic significance of microRNA-34a in Uygur and Han patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in China]

To investigate the expression of microRNA-34a (miR-34a) in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in Xinjiang Uygur and Han nationalities and its prognostic significance. Our data showed that miR-34a expression in Uygur and Han CLL patients was significantly higher than that in their respective healthy controls, while miR-34a levels were similar between Uygur and Han patients. By comparing with known prognostic factors, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves showed that miR-34a was a good predictive factor for the prognosis of CLL (demarcation value was 3.567 6). Survival analysis was further performed according to miR-34a expression level, that low expression of miR-34a translated into poor prognosis.

Diabetes transition care and adverse events: a population-based cohort study in Ontario, Canada

AIMS

To describe patterns of primary and diabetes care during transition age (17 to < 19 years) into early adulthood (age 19 to 26 years), and to evaluate the association of primary and diabetes care patterns during transition age with the risk of adverse events in early adulthood.

METHODS

We conducted a population-based cohort study of individuals in Ontario, Canada who were diagnosed with diabetes aged < 15 years and who turned 17 between November 2006 and March 2011, followed until March 2015 (n = 2525). Using linked administrative databases, we examined healthcare use during: 'pre-transition-age' (15 to < 17 years), 'transition-age' (17 to < 19 years), and 'early adulthood' (19 to 26 years). The main outcomes were time to death or ketoacidosis and rate of diabetes-related admissions. The main exposures were the gap in diabetes care and primary care visits during transition age.

RESULTS

There were < 6 deaths and 446 individuals (17.7%) had at least one admission for ketoacidosis during early adulthood. In all, 1188 individuals (47.0%) had a > 12-month gap in diabetes care and 241 (9.5%) had no primary care visits during transition age. A gap in diabetes care of > 12 months and no primary care visits during transition age were associated with an increased risk of ketoacidosis or death (adjusted hazard ratio 1.31, 95% CI 1.04-1.66 and adjusted hazard ratio 1.42, 95% CI 1.02-1.97, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

In Ontario, Canada, where physician and hospital-based services are universally covered, a high proportion of young adults with diabetes have insufficient care during transition age and this is associated with a higher risk of important adverse outcomes in early adulthood. Ensuring primary care involvement during transition may be a strategy to reduce morbidity.

Identification of clinical tumor stages related mRNAs and miRNAs in cervical squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to identify the clinical tumor stage related mRNAs and miRNAs, shedding light on the potential molecular mechanisms of cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC).

METHODS

Firstly, the mRNA and miRNA next-generation sequencing data were downloaded. Secondly, clinical tumor stage correlation analysis of mRNAs and miRNA was performed, followed by the functional enrichment analysis of all clinical tumor stage related mRNAs. Thirdly, differentially expression analysis of mRNAs and miRNA between different clinical tumor stages was performed, followed by target gene prediction of these differentially expressed miRNAs.

RESULTS

3 mRNAs (PER1, PRKAB1 and PMM2) and 5 miRNAs (hsa-mir-486, hsa-mir-451, hsa-mir-424, hsa-mir-144 and hsa-mir-450a-2) were overlapped from stage 1, stage 2, stage 3 and stage 4.

CONCLUSIONS

Alterations of differentially expressed mRNAs and miRNAs may offer important insights into the molecular mechanisms in the pathology of CSCC.

Antifungal and Biocontrol Evaluation of Four Lysobacter Strains Against Clubroot Disease

The effect of crude extract (Ce), seed coating agent (SCA) and whole bacterial broth culture (WBC) of Lysobacter strains was evaluated against the causal agent of clubroot formation in Cruciferous vegetables. The ability of four Lysobacter strains (L. antibioticus 6-B-1, L. antibioticus 6-T-4, L. antibioticus 13-B-1 and L. capsici ZST1-2) inhibited Plasmodiophora brassicae of resting spores and disease. Application of WBC of four Lysobacter strains inhibited clubroot disease, indicating that the disease suppression was due to antifungal compounds produced by the biocontrol bacterium in the culture. Development of clubroot on Chinese cabbage was inhibited when the WBC and SCA were applied before P. brassicae inoculation. Crude extract (Ce) of culture filtrate was effective in arresting the germination of resting spores of P. brassicae on slides. However, Lysobacter strains differed in their biocontrol effects, the strain L. capsci ZST1-2 recorded a high level of disease limiting effect.

[A study of the Polish missionary Michel Boym's pharmacy books]

Michel Boym was a 17th-century missionary who came to China from Poland. He was the first man who introduce Chinese herbal medicine to Europe by writing Flora Sinensis (Chinese Flora) and Medicamenta Simplicia quae Chinensibus ad usum medicum adhibentur. This article reveals that which Chinese herbal medicine books may have been consulted in the Medicamenta Simplicia quae Chinensibus ad usum medicum adhibentur by analyzing its content and comparing it with the Chinese herbal medicine books. We believed that in order to write this book, he consulted many Chinese books, collected a variety of herbal samples and consulted Chinese people who knew about herbals, and added his own understanding. As a western pharmacology book, his book structure, content and characteristics are the closest to Chinese herbal medicine books. And which Chinese books he has consulted, may include, but is not limited to BenCao GangMu(Compendium of Materia Medica)《》, Lei Gong Pao Zhi Yao Xing Jie 《》, Ben Cao Meng Quan《》 and Xin Kan Lei Gong Pao Zhi Bian Lan 《》.

Changing Metrics of Organ Procurement Organization Performance in Order to Increase Organ Donation Rates in the United States

The shortage of deceased-donor organs is compounded by donation metrics that fail to account for the total pool of possible donors, leading to ambiguous donor statistics. We sought to assess potential metrics of organ procurement organizations (OPOs) utilizing data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2009-2012 and State Inpatient Databases (SIDs) from 2008-2014. A possible donor was defined as a ventilated inpatient death ≤75 years of age, without multi-organ system failure, sepsis, or cancer, whose cause of death was consistent with organ donation. These estimates were compared to patient-level data from chart review from two large OPOs. Among 2,907,658 inpatient deaths from 2009-2012, 96,028 (3.3%) were a "possible deceased-organ donor." The two proposed metrics of OPO performance were: (1) donation percentage (percentage of possible deceased-donors who become actual donors; range: 20.0-57.0%); and (2) organs transplanted per possible donor (range: 0.52-1.74). These metrics allow for comparisons of OPO performance and geographic-level donation rates, and identify areas in greatest need of interventions to improve donation rates. We demonstrate that administrative data can be used to identify possible deceased donors in the US and could be a data source for CMS to implement new OPO performance metrics in a standardized fashion.

[Influence of high-fat diet in paternal C57BL/6 mice on liver fat deposition in offspring]

Objective: To investigate the influence of high-fat diet (HFD) in paternal C57BL/6 mice on HFD-induced liver fat deposition in male offspring, as well as transgenerational inheritance caused by paternal HFD and related mechanisms. Methods: A total of 20 male C57BL/6 mice aged 3 weeks (F0) were randomly divided into normal control group (C, 10 mice) and HFD group (HF, 10 mice). After 12 weeks of HFD intervention, the male mice in the HFD group mated with female ones treated with normal diet and pups were obtained. Male pups (F1) were selected as study subjects. According to the intervention for F0 mice, male F1 mice were divided into control male offspring group (CM, 8 mice) and HFD male offspring group (HFM, 9 mice). All these mice were given normal diet after weaning until 4 weeks old, followed by HFD for 4 weeks. The body length and body weight were measured and recorded every week. Oil red O staining was used to observe fat deposition in the liver. Western blot and real-time PCR were used to measure the expression of related proteins and genes involved in the de novo synthesis and aerobic oxidation of fatty acid, mitochondriogenesis, and autophagy. Results: After 4 weeks of HFD intervention, the HFM group had a significantly higher body weight than the CM group (P < 0.05); the oil red O staining showed that compared with the CM group, the HFM had a significant increase in liver fat deposition and a significantly higher integral absorbance value in the oil red O staining-positive area (384 360±57 600 vs 236 754±12 607, P < 0.01). For related factors involved in the de novo synthesis of fatty acid in the liver, compared with the CM group, the HFM group had significant increases in the expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 and fatty acid synthase (P < 0.05); for related factors involved in the mitochondrial biosynthesis in the liver, the HFM group had significant reductions in the relative expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α, nuclear respiratory factor 1, and mitochondrial transcription factor A compared with the CM group (P < 0.05). For autophagy-related factors in the liver in the F1 mice, compared with the CM group, the HFM group had a significant reduction in microtubule-associated protein I light chain 3 (LC3-II/I) (P < 0.05) and a significant increase in P62 (P < 0.05), suggesting a reduced autophagy function in the liver. Conclusion: HFD intervention for paternal C57BL/6 mice can increase HFD-induced liver fat deposition in male offspring, which may be related to the increased de novo synthesis of fatty acid and reduced mitochondriogenesis and autophagy function in the liver.