Extract of Syzygium aromaticum suppress eEF1A protein expression and fungal growth

AIMS

Clove extract has therapeutic potential as an antifungal drug, yet the mechanism of action remains ambiguous. Current study aimed to address the molecular process of the antifungal activity exerted by clove extract.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The antifungal assay results showed that clove extract had some effects on all of the tested yeast. Propidium iodide staining assay showed cell membrane damage in Saccharomyces cerevisiae after treatment of clove extract for 30 h. Interestingly, SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis assays revealed that the protein expression of eukaryotic elongation factor 1 alpha (eEF1A) was suppressed significantly after treatment with clove extract (not pure eugenol). Transcriptional analyses revealed that the TEF1 and TEF2 genes (translation elongation factor EF-1 alpha) encoding eEF1A were not disturbed with the addition of clove extract; however, the expression of related genes EFB1 (translation elongation factor 1 subunit beta), ENO2 (phosphopyruvate hydratase ENO2), GSP1 (Ran GTPase GSP1), RPP0 (ribosomal protein P0), YEF3 (translation elongation factor EF-3), TEF4 (translation elongation factor EF1B gamma), and RPS2 (ribosomal 40S subunit protein S2) increased significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that clove extract plays a role in disrupting growth and affecting yeast metabolism. eEF1A was affected by clove extract at the protein level but not at the transcriptional level.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study is based on a detailed study of antifungal action exerted by clove extract, and proposed that down-regulation of eEF1A protein expression may contribute to its antifungal activity. These results may have clinical significance for future application of clove extract as a natural antifungal agent.

[Study on application of two risk assessment methods in coal dust occupational health risk assessment]

Objective: To evaluate the applicability of quantitative grading method (GBZ/T 229.1-2010) and occupational hazard risk index method in coal dust occupational health risk assessment. Methods: Taking 4 coal mines as the research object of risk assessment and making occupational health field testing and investigation. Based on two risk assessment methods, we analysed the health risk levels of 20 occupations which were exposed to coal dust in workplaces. Results: Coal dust working post had different risk levels in 4 coal mines, the post of higher risk level were mainly concentrated in the underground workplace of coal mine, especially the post of coal mining and tunneling system. The two risk assessment results showed that the risk levels of coal-mining machine drivers and tunneling machine drivers were the highest. The risk levels of coal dust working post used by two risk assessment methods had no significant difference (P>0.05) and were highly correlated (r=0.821, P<0.001) . Evaluation results of two risk assessment methods were supported by the field investigation and literatures. Conclusion: The two risk assessment methods can be used in coal dust occupational health risk assessment.

[Prognostic value of dynamic monitoring of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 transcript in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia]

Objective: To investigate the prognostic value of dynamic monitoring of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 transcript in pediatric patients with t (8;21) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) . Methods: The clinical features and RUNX1-RUNX1T1 transcript levels of 55 pediatric t (8;21) AML patients, newly diagnosed from Jan. 2010 to Apr. 2016, were analyzed retrospectively. The relationship between the minimal residual disease (MRD) and prognosis was analysed by dynamic monitoring of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 transcript levels using real-time quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR) technology. Results: The RUNX1-RUNX1T1 transcript levels in bone marrow cells at diagnosis was not related to relapse. After one course of induction therapy, patients with a more than 2 Log reduction of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 transcript levels (>2 Log) had lower 5 years cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) [ (24.3±8.4) % vs (52.6±9.7) %, χ(2)=9.046, P=0.003], relapse-free survival (RFS) [ (71.6±12.7) % vs (48.1±13.2) %, χ(2)=5.814, P=0.016], and better overall survival (OS) [ (76.9±12.5) % vs (48.9±14.7) %, χ(2)=6.346, P=0.012], compared to patients with a less than 2 Log reduction (a<2 Log) . Multivariate Cox survival analysis suggested that a>2 Log reduction in RUNX1-RUNX1T1 transcript levels after a course of induction therapy was an independent prognostic factor for RFS (HR=0.263, 95%CI 0.081-0.851, P=0.026) and OS (HR=0.214, 95% CI 0.057-0.808, P=0.023) . During consolidation therapy and follow-up period, molecular relapse of 16 cases and hematologic relapse of 13 cases were identified by continuous dynamic monitoring of RUNX1-RUNX1T1 transcript levels, with a median interval of 4.0 (1.5-5.8) months from the molecular relapse to hematologic relapse. 2 cases of molecular relapse who received timely allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation did not experience hematologic relapse. Conclusion: Dynamic monitoring RUNX1-RUNX1T1 transcript levels by RQ-PCR technique can subdivide patients into relatively low and high risk group, early screen patients at high risk of relapse and provide a scientific basis for precision stratification and risk-adapted therapy for pediatric t (8;21) AML children.

[Study of long non-coding RNA HOTAIR expression in middle ear cholesteatoma]

Objective:To discuss the different expression of some long-chain noncoding RNA between middle ear cholesteatoma epithelial tissue and normal external ear canal skin.Method:Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression of 6 kinds of lncRNA: HOTAIR, ANCR, TINCR, PRINS, BANCR, PICSAR in 25 cases of cholesteatoma epithelial tissues and 15 cases of normal external auditory canal skin tissue samples, respectively. And compared the expression level of lncRNA in patients with different degree of bone destruction.Result:Expression level of HOTAIR was significantly increased in cholesteatoma epithelial tissues compared with the normal external auditory canal skin tissues,and the difference is statistically significant (P< 0.01). While there was no statistically significant difference expression of the rest of the five kinds of lncRNA between middle ear cholesteatoma epithelial tissues and normal external ear canal skin (P> 0.05). And there was no statistically significant difference expression of HOTAIR in patients with different degree of bone destruction (P> 0.05).Conclusion:Expression level of HOTAIR was up-regulated in middle ear cholesteatoma epithelial tissue compared with the normal external auditory canal skin tissues, and the expression level of HOTAIR has no obvious correlation with degree of bone destruction in patients with cholesteatoma.

[Primary culture and functional identification of distal pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells in mice]

Objective: To establish a method of isolation and primary culture of mice distal pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) and identify the functional properties. Methods: PASMCs were harvested from the distal pulmonary artery (PA) tissue of mice by enzymatic digestion of collagenaseⅠand papain; and the growth characteristics were observed under inverted microscope and identified by Immunofluorescence technique. Effects on the intracellular calcium ion concentration of distal PASMCs were detected by Fura-2-AM fluorescent probe tracer under a fluorescence microscope in Krebs solution containing clopiazonic acid (CPA) and nifedipin (Nif). Results: PASMCs density reached approximately to 80% in a typical valley-peak-like shape after 6 days. Cell α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) immunofluorescence identified that 95% of the cultured cells were PASMCs. More than 95% PASMCs responded well to calcium-potassium Krebs solution (potassium ion concentration of 60 mmol/L) and showed a rapid increase in basal [Ca(2+) ](i) after 1 minute's perfusion (Δ[Ca(2+) ](i)>50), which demonstrated that the voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDCC) of distal PASMCs were in good function; after the perfusion of calcium Krebs, calcium-free/calcium-Krebs containing CPA and Nif, distal PASMCs showed two typical peaks, indicated the full function of store-operated calcium channel (SOCC) in distal PASMCs. Conclusion: This experiment successfully established a stable and reliable mice distal PASMCs model and the study of pulmonary vascular diseases could benefit from its higher purity and better functional condition.

Role and timing of second-line therapies for patients with recurrent platinum-resistant ovarian epithelial cancer

OBJECTIVE

To explore the regimens and prognoses of second-line therapies for recurrent platinum-resistant ovarian epithelial cancer (OEC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The clinical profiles and second-line regimens were retrospectively analyzed for 65 recurrent platinum-resistant OEC patients treated at Zhejiang Provincial Tumor Hospital during January 2003 to January 2013. In conjunction with literature reviews, the second-line therapies for platinum-resistant recurrent OEC were discussed.

RESULTS

Their average age was 55.2 years. The stages were I (n=4), II (n=3), III (n=45), and IV (n=13). The predominant type was serous adenocarcinoma (n=47, 72.3%). Chemotherapy was refused (n=14) and resistant (n=5 1). One case was lost to follow-up and another three withdrew early. An average of four chemotherapeutic courses were offered in 61 cases. Among them, five cases selected chemotherapy after a second operation. The average therapy-free interval (TFI) was 3.5 months. The efficacies were evaluated for 61 cases. CR (n=5) and partial remission (PR, n=22). The overall survival (OS) rate was 43.6% and average progression-free survival (PFS) was 15.44 months.

CONCLUSION

The efficacy of second-line therapy for recurrent platinum-resistant OEC is rather poor and the feasibility and efficacy of second operation are to be further explored.

[Hypoxia induced the remodeling of pulmonary arterial smooth muscles and increased the pulmonary artery smooth muscle Krüppel-like zinc-finger transcription factor 5 expression]

Objective: To study the effect of chronic hypoxia on pulmonary arterial remodeling and Krüppel-like zinc-finger transcription factor 5 (KLF5) protein expression in pulmonary artery smooth muscles in a hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension model. Methods: Totally 20 adult SD rats (200-250 g) were divided into a normoxia group and a chronic hypoxia group by the random number table. Rats in the chronic hypoxia group were put in an automatic hypoxia box for 21 days. After that, right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), mean right ventricular pressure (mRVP) and RV/(LV+ S) were measured. Lung tissue sections were made. The lumen area, ratio of wall thickness to radius of pulmonary artery were gauged by using the Image Pro Plus software. Primary PASMCs were cultured in oxygen-deficient environment (4% O₂)or normal oxygen environment (21% O₂)for 60 hours respectively, and then total protein or RNA were extracted for Western blotting and Q-PCR analysis.KLF5 protein expression in rat pulmonary arterial smooth muscle and pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells was detected by Western blot. Results: Compared with the normoxia group(28.3±0.4), (11.3±1.0)mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), the RVSP and mRVP in the chronic hypoxia group [(43.9±1.3), (26.5±2.3)mmHg] were significantly increased(P<0.05). The Rv/(LV+ S)of the chronic hypoxia group was(0.48±0.03), markedly higher than that of the normoxia group(0.27±0.01, P<0.05). The luminal area/total area of artery in the chronic hypoxia group decreased to (46.1±6.6)% compared with that in the normoxia group [(68.73±3.06)%, P<0.05]. The wall thickness/arterial radius(WT%)of the chronic hypoxia group increased up to (5.64±0.32)% as compared with (3.7±0.4)% of the normoxia group (P<0.05). The level of KLF5 protein in pulmonary arterial smooth muscles of the chronic hypoxia group was (21.6±7.2) times that of the normoxia group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Hypoxia induced the increase of RVSP, mRVP, RV/(LV+ S), accompanied with pulmonary arterial remodeling. The underlying mechanism of the artery change may be related to up-regulated expression of KLF5.

[Diagnostic utility of immunohistochemistry in differential diagnosis of renal tumors with oncocytic features]

Objective: To investigate the morphological features and immunophenotypes of eosinophilic renal tumors in order to provide references for the differential diagnosis of this tumor. Methods: A cohort of 75 cases of eosinophilic renal tumors were collected. The morphological features of the tumors were observed under microscope, and the immunophenotypes of the tumors were detected using tissue microarray and immunoshistochemistry. Results: There were some overlaps between the different types of eosinophilic renal tumors in morphology, but each had its distinct characteristics. Immunohistochemically, renal oncocytoma (RO) and eosinophilic chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (ChRCC) shared some common immumophenotypes, except for the expression of CK7, with the expression rates of 2/19 in RO and 17/20 in eosinophilic ChRCC, respectively. Eosinophilic clear cell renal cell carcinoma mainly showed positive immunostaining for Vimentin and CAⅨ, whereas negative for CK7 and CD117 in most cases (10/15). AMACR was diffusely expressed in the majority of eosinophilic papillary renal cell carcinoma (PRCC, 10/13). Furthermore, vimentin, CK7 and CD10 were positively expressed in eosinophilic PRCC with the expression rates of 8/13, 9/13 and 6/13, respectively; while CAⅨ, CD117 and TFE3 were all negatively expressed in eosinophilic PRCC.Epithelioid angiomyolipoma generally showed positive expression of vimentin, SMA and HMB45, but negative expression of CAⅨ and CK7. Vimentin, CD10, AMACR and TFE3 were strongly expressed in XP11.2 translocation renal cell carcinoma; on the contrary, CK7, CD117 and HMB45 were not expressed in the majority of the tumor. Conclusion: With full understanding of the morphology of different types of eosinophilic renal tumors, the immunostaining of vimentin, CAⅨ, CK7, CD10, AMACR, CD117, TFE3 and HMB45 could play a crucial role in the differential diagnosis of these tumors.

Genome-wide analysis of TCP family in tobacco

The TCP family is a transcription factor family, members of which are extensively involved in plant growth and development as well as in signal transduction in the response against many physiological and biochemical stimuli. In the present study, 61 TCP genes were identified in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) genome. Bioinformatic methods were employed for predicting and analyzing the gene structure, gene expression, phylogenetic analysis, and conserved domains of TCP proteins in tobacco. The 61 NtTCP genes were divided into three diverse groups, based on the division of TCP genes in tomato and Arabidopsis, and the results of the conserved domain and sequence analyses further confirmed the classification of the NtTCP genes. The expression pattern of NtTCP also demonstrated that majority of these genes play important roles in all the tissues, while some special genes exercise their functions only in specific tissues. In brief, the comprehensive and thorough study of the TCP family in other plants provides sufficient resources for studying the structure and functions of TCPs in tobacco.

Identification of altered pathways in Down syndrome-associated congenital heart defects using an individualized pathway aberrance score

The aim of this study was to identify disrupted pathways related to Down syndrome (DS), and DS-associated congenital heart defects (DS-CHD). The gene expression profile and pathway data of 10 human DS patients and 5 control samples in E-GEOD-1789 were recruited and analyzed by the individualized pathway aberrance score (iPAS) method, consisting of the data processing, gene-level statistics, pathway-level statistics, and significant measurement steps. The pre-processing step identified 12,493 genes and 1022 pathways (4269 genes). The pathway significant analysis identified eight pathways (adjusted P value <0.1) that differed between the disease and control samples. The cross-presentation of particulate exogenous antigen (phagosomes) and methionine salvage pathways showed the most significant differences among these. The gene expression levels of key pathway genes, such as CYBB and ADI1, were higher in disease samples than in normal controls. Based on our results, we predicted that the cross-presentation of particulate exogenous antigens (phagosomes) and the methionine salvage pathway could be good indicators of DS-CHD.

[Effects of hemoglobin J-Bangkok traits on measurements of glycated hemoglobin by five methods]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the interference of hemoglobin variants J-Bangkok on glycated hemoglobin (HbA(1)c) detected by five measurement systems.

METHODS

Seventy cases of blood samples were collected at Zhongshan Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from July 2012 to January 2014, the blood samples were divided into the normal control group (40 cases) and Hb J-Bangkok variant group (30 cases), and the normal control group was divided into healthy control group (20 cases) and diabetic group (20 cases). HbA(1)c measurement systems were Primus Ultra2, Variant Ⅱ, Variant Ⅱ Turbo, Modular P and Leadman. Based on the standard of the American National Glycosylated Hemoglobin Standardization Program (NGSP), Primus Ultra2 was used as comparative system, and the other 4 systems were test systems. Comparative analysis and bias evaluation were conducted on the results from five detection systems in different groups, statistical analysis were used for evaluating the differences. The estimated average glucose (eAG) was calculated by HbA(1)c values and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) of Hb J-Bangkok variant group with the different detection systems. Deming regression analysis was used to determinate whether Hb J-Bangkok produced significant clinical effect on HbA(1)c results. HbA(1)c ± 10% and relative bias at 6% and 9% HbA1c were evaluation limits.

RESULTS

The differences of the 95% confidence interval (95%CI) between the test systems and the comparative system in control group were within ±0.7% HbA(1)c, bias were less than 6%, there were no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). In Hb J-Bangkok group, the eAG calculated from HbA(1)c measured by using Primus Ultra2, Modular P and Leadman were (8.14±2.99), (8.10±3.06) and (8.23±3.00)mmol/L, which had no statistically significant difference compared with FPG ((8.21±3.12)mmol/L, t=0.996, 1.091, 1.479, all P>0.05), and the differences of 95%CI between the results measured by Modular P and the comparative system were all within ±0.7% HbA(1)c, bias were -4.3%-0.4% and -5.2%-4.9%, there were no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). At 6% and 9% HbA(1)c concentrations, the mean differences of the results from the three detection systems were less than the clinically acceptable range. These results showed that the systems of Primus Ultra2, Modular P and Leadman were not affected by Hb J-Bangkok. However, the eAG values calculated from HbA(1)c of Variant Ⅱ and Variant Ⅱ Turbo were (5.58±2.12) and(5.00±2.13)mmol/L, which showed statistically significant lower results compared with FPG level (t=12.29, 13.23 , all P<0.001). Compared with Primus Ultra2, the differences of 95%CI were outside of ± 0.7% HbA1c, bias were -31.9%--12.0% and -42.0%- -17.6% , greater than 6%, showed a negative bias.At 6% and 9% HbA(1)c concentrations, the mean differences of the results were all greater than the clinical acceptable range. These results indicated that Hb J-Bangkok had significantly clinical interference on Variant Ⅱ and Variant Ⅱ Turbo systems.

CONCLUSION

Hb J-Bangkok has different interference on different HbA(1)c measurement systems, when performs the HbA(1)c test, clinical laboratory should pay attention to identify Hb variants, and select the appropriate methods to measure the HbA(1)c values in order to prevent the occurrence of interference by Hb variants.

Maximum-biomass concentration prediction for Bifidobacteria in the pH-controlled fed-batch culture

Our objective was to systematically study the relationship between maximum biomass concentration of different Bifidobacteria and total-acid anions accumulation, and develop a prediction equation for the maximum biomass concentration in the fed-batch culture at pH-controlled 7·0. The accumulation of acid anions and the consumption of nutrients of various strains were evaluated. In addition, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of acid anions on a range of strains were examined at pH 7·0. The inhibition of acid anions, which had the same MIC as sodium chloride, was due to the osmotic pressure under pH 7·0 conditions. Moreover, the concentration of total-acid anions completely inhibiting each strain in the fed-batch culture at pH-controlled 7·0 had no significant differences with the MIC of acid anions for the corresponding strains. The osmotic pressures under two conditions were not significantly different. Finally, the maximum biomass concentration of Bifidobacteria was found to be closely related to biomass yield per unit of acid anion produced (YX/P ) and MIC (C) which were needed for the prediction, and different strains exhibited marked correlation (P ˂ 0·01, R = 0·985). An equation for the prediction of the maximum biomass concentration was developed as follows: Xmax -X0  = (0·71 ± 0·03)·YX/P ·C.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study provides further insights into the inhibition of Bifidobacteria by dissociated acid anions (the dissociated form) at pH 7·0. The high correlation between different strains suggested that the equation established in this paper is appropriate for different strains of Bifidobacteria. The prediction equation could be used to guide practical production in the preparation of materials, the control of the end of fermentation and production plans for further products such as freeze-dried powder of Bifidobacteria or food fermentation.

Homology-based analysis of the GRAS gene family in tobacco

Members of the GRAS gene family are important transcriptional regulators. In this study, 21 GRAS genes were identified from tobacco, and were classified into eight subgroups according to the classification of Arabidopsis thaliana. Here, we provide a preliminary overview of this gene family in tobacco, describing the gene structure, gene expression, protein motif organization, phylogenetic analysis, and comparative analysis in tobacco, Arabidopsis, and rice. Using the sequences of 21 GRAS genes in Arabidopsis to search against the American tobacco genome database, 21 homologous GRAS genes in tobacco were identified. Sequence analysis indicates that these GRAS proteins have five conserved domains, which is consistent with their counterparts in other plants. Phylogenetic analyses divided the GRAS gene family into eight subgroups, each of which has distinct conserved domains and biological functions. Furthermore, the expression pattern of these 21 GRAS genes reveals that most are expressed in all six tissues studied; however, some have tissue specificity. Taken together, this comprehensive analysis will provide a rich resource to assist in the study of GRAS protein functions in tobacco.

Dectin-2 polymorphism associated with pulmonary cryptococcosis in HIV-uninfected Chinese patients

Dectin-2 is a C-type lectin receptor that can recognize critical structures of fungi and involve in the host immune response after pulmonary fungal infections. We aimed to investigate the association between Dectin-2 genetic polymorphisms and cryptococcosis among a series of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-uninfected Chinese patients. In this case control study, a total of 251 patients with cryptococcosis and 464 healthy controls were included. One tag-single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (rs11045418) located at 5'-flanking region of Dectin-2 gene was selected and genotyped in this study. Among 251 patients, there were 108 (43%) meningitis patients including 73 (67.7%) healthy ones, 74 (29.5%) pulmonary infected patients including 49 (66.2%) healthy ones, and 69 (27.5%) patients with both neural and pulmonary infection including 38 (55.1%) immunocompetent ones. One hundred and forty-three (74 plus 69) patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis and 177 (108 plus 69) patients with cryptococcal meningitis were compared with controls, respectively. Three samples from 143 pulmonary infected patients failed in genotyping. There was a significant difference between 86 immunocompetent pulmonary infected patients and controls in the overdominant model (C/T vs. T/T + C/C; OR, 0.59; 95%CI, 0.37-0.94; P, .026). Similar but not significant difference was found between the overall pulmonary infected patients and the controls in the overdominant model (OR, 0.77; 95%CI, 0.52-1.12; P, .17). No such difference was found between controls and patients with cryptococcal meningitis. Our study firstly showed a genetic association between Dectin-2 and pulmonary cryptococcosis.

Efficacy of tension-free vaginal tape obturator and single-incision tension-free vaginal tape-Secur, hammock approach, in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence

AIM

Aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of tension-free vaginal tape obturator and single-incision tension-free transvaginal tape Secur, hammock approach, in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence.

METHODS

Clinical data of patients who received anti-incontinence surgery between June 2008 and July 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. Efficacy and early failure rate of the tension-free vaginal tape obturator and tension-free vaginal tape-Secur hammock approach were assessed by cough test and criteria of International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were also computed.

RESULTS

There were 28 patients in the tension-free vaginal tape obturator group while 32 patients in the tension-free vaginal tape-Secur group. The mean operation time, intraoperative blood loss and inpatient days after surgery between the two groups showed no significant difference. The catheter retention time of the tension-free vaginal tape obturator group was longer than in the tension-free vaginal tape-Secur group. The cure rate of the tension-free vaginal tape obturator and tension-free vaginal tape-Secur groups were respectively 84% and 80%, and the recurrence rates were 14.3% and 16.7%, without significant difference. The scores of International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form in two groups both decreased after surgery, but there was no difference between the two groups. There were no serious complications in the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated that both tension-free vaginal tape obturator and tension-free vaginal tape-Secur can achieve a cure rate over 80% while with little complications, showing both methods are reliable to treat stress urinary incontinence.

Associations between CD36 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to coronary artery heart disease

Associations between polymorphisms of the CD36 gene and susceptibility to coronary artery heart disease (CHD) are not clear. We assessed allele frequencies and genotype distributions of CD36 gene polymorphisms in 112 CHD patients and 129 control patients using semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. Additionally, we detected CD36 mRNA expression by real-time quantitative PCR, and we quantified plasma levels of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). There were no significant differences between the two groups (P>0.05) in allele frequencies of rs1761667 or in genotype distribution and allele frequencies of rs3173798. The genotype distribution of rs1761667 significantly differed between CHD patients and controls (P=0.034), with a significantly higher frequency of the AG genotype in the CHD group compared to the control group (P=0.011). The plasma levels of ox-LDL in patients with the AG genotype were remarkably higher than those with the GG and AA genotypes (P=0.010). In a randomized sample taken from patients in the two groups, the CD36 mRNA expression of the CHD patients was higher than that of the controls. In CHD patients, the CD36 mRNA expression in AG genotype patients was remarkably higher than in those with an AA genotype (P=0.005). After adjusted logistic regression analysis, the AG genotype of rs1761667 was associated with an increased risk of CHD (OR=2.337, 95% CI=1.336-4.087, P=0.003). In conclusion, the rs1761667 polymorphism may be closely associated with developing CHD in the Chongqing Han population of China, and an AG genotype may be a genetic susceptibility factor for CHD.

Effects of Supplementation of β-Mannanase in Corn-soybean Meal Diets on Performance and Nutrient Digestibility in Growing Pigs

A total of 288 crossbred (Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire) growing pigs were used in two experiments to investigate the effects of adding β-mannanase to corn-soybean meal-based diets on pig performance and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD). Both experiments lasted 28 d and were split into two phases namely 1 to 14 days (phase 1) and 15 to 28 days (phase 2). In Exp. 1,144 pigs weighing 23.60±1.59 kg BW were assigned to one of four corn-soybean meal-based diets containing 0, 200, 400 or 600 U/kg β-mannanase. Increasing the level of β-mannanase increased weight gain (quadratic effect; p<0.01) and feed efficiency (linear and quadratic effect; p<0.01) during the second phase and the overall experiment. However, performance was unaffected (p>0.05) by treatment during phase 1. Increasing the amount of β-mannanase in the diet improved (linear and quadratic effect; p<0.05) the ATTD of CP, NDF, ADF, calcium, and phosphorus during both phases. Based on the results of Exp. 1, the optimal supplementation level was determined to be 400 U/kg and this was the level that was applied in Exp. 2. In Exp. 2, 144 pigs weighing 23.50±1.86 kg BW were fed diets containing 0 or 400 U/kg of β-mannanase and 3,250 or 3,400 kcal/kg digestible energy (DE) in a 2×2 factorial design. β-Mannanase supplementation increased (p<0.01) weight gain and feed efficiency while the higher energy content increased (p<0.01) feed intake and feed efficiency during both phases and overall. Increased energy content and β-mannanase supplementation both increased (p<0.05) the ATTD of DM, CP, NDF, ADF, phosphorus, and GE during both phases. There were no significant interactions between energy level and β-mannanase for any performance or digestibility parameter. In conclusion, the β-mannanase used in the present experiment improved the performance of growing pigs fed diets based on corn and soybean. The mechanism through which the improvements were obtained appears to be related to improvements in ATTD.

Identification of clinically relevant fungi and prototheca species by rRNA gene sequencing and multilocus PCR coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

BACKGROUND

Multilocus PCR coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (PCR/ESI-MS) is a new strategy for pathogen identification, but information about its application in fungal identification remains sparse.

METHODS

One-hundred and twelve strains and isolates of clinically important fungi and Prototheca species were subjected to both rRNA gene sequencing and PCR/ESI-MS. Three regions of the rRNA gene were used as targets for sequencing: the 5' end of the large subunit rRNA gene (D1/D2 region), and the internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2 (ITS1 and ITS2 regions). Microbial identification (Micro ID), acquired by combining results of phenotypic methods and rRNA gene sequencing, was used to evaluate the results of PCR/ESI-MS.

RESULTS

For identification of yeasts and filamentous fungi, combined sequencing of the three regions had the best performance (species-level identification rate of 93.8% and 81.8% respectively). The highest species-level identification rate was achieved by sequencing of D1/D2 for yeasts (92.2%) and ITS2 for filamentous fungi (75.8%). The two Prototheca species could be identified to species level by D1/D2 sequencing but not by ITS1 or ITS2. For the 102 strains and isolates within the coverage of PCR/ESI-MS identification, 87.3% (89/102) achieved species-level identification, 100% (89/89) of which were concordant to Micro ID on species/complex level. The species-level identification rates for yeasts and filamentous fungi were 93.9% (62/66) and 75% (27/36) respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

rRNA gene sequencing provides accurate identification information, with the best results obtained by a combination of ITS1, ITS2 and D1/D2 sequencing. Our preliminary data indicated that PCR/ESI-MS method also provides a rapid and accurate identification for many clinical relevant fungi.

Synthesis of conjugated linoleic acid by the linoleate isomerase complex in food-derived lactobacilli

AIMS

To assess strains of lactobacilli for their capacity to produce functional fatty acid-conjugated linoleic acid. To assess the linoleate isomerase for CLA production in the most efficient CLA producer.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this study, strains of food-derived lactobacilli were cultured in media with linoleic acid and CLA production was assessed. Most of the selected strains produced CLA at different levels, with Lactobacillus plantarum ZS2058 being the most efficient CLA producer converting over 50% of linoleic acid to c9, t11-CLA and t9, t11-CLA. Some intermediates 10-hydroxy-cis-12-octadecenoic acid, 10-oxo-cis-12-octadecenoic acid and 10-oxo-trans-11-octadecenoic acid were determined via GC-MS. The genes coding the multicomponent linoleate isomerase containing myosin-cross-reactive antigen, short-chain dehydrogenase/oxidoreductase and acetoacetate decarboxylase for CLA production in Lact. plantarum ZS2058 were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. With the mixture of recombinant E. coli, c9, t11-CLA and three kinds of intermediates were produced from linoleic acid, which were in line with those in the lactobacilli.

CONCLUSIONS

The ability for CLA production by lactobacilli exhibited variation. Lactobacillus plantarum and Lact. bulgaricus were the most efficient producers in the selected strains. Lact. plantarum ZS2058 converted linoleic acid to CLAs with 10-hydroxy-cis-12-octadecenoic acid, 10-oxo-cis-12-octadecenoic acid and 10-oxo-trans-11-octadecenoic acid as intermediates. The multiple-step reactions for CLA production catalysed by multicomponent linoleate isomerase in Lact. plantarum ZS2058 were confirmed successfully.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Multicomponent linoleate isomerase provides important results for the illustration of the mechanism for CLA production in lactic acid bacteria. Food-derived lactobacilli with CLA production ability offers novel opportunities for functional foods development.

Homology-based cloning and expression analysis of Rf genes encoding PPR-containing proteins in tobacco

As a model plant, mechanisms of the cytoplasmic male sterility/restoration of fertility (CMS/Rf) system in tobacco are seldom studied. Using Rf gene sequences from other Solanaceae plants and the draft genome of Nicotiana benthamiana, degenerate primers were designed to amplify the cDNA pool of N. tomentosiformis. In total, six possible Rf sequences were identified, two of which contained base-deletion mutations. The other four were intact open reading frames, of which NtomPPR5 harbored a 3-pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) motif deletion. Structure analysis revealed that they all encoded a PPR-containing protein with putative mitochondrial targeting signals at their N-terminus, and they all belong to the P subfamily. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all of the Rf-coding PPRs clustered together, and recent duplication events might have occurred in tobacco after the divergence of the species. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrated that the NtomRfs were expressed in all tissues of N. tomentosiformis and (CMS) K326, although the expression levels varied with gene, organ, and developmental stage. Furthermore, the expression levels of Rf sequences in K326 were lower than those in CMS K326. The molecular basis of the CMS/Rf system in tobacco requires further investigation.