Tissue-derived extracellular vesicles: Research progress from isolation to application

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are the structures that all cells release into the environment. They are separated by a lipid bilayer and contain the cellular components that release them. To date, most studies have been performed on EVs derived from cell supernatants or different body fluids, while the number of studies on EV isolation directly from tissues is still limited. Studies of EV isolation directly from tissues may provide us with better information. This review summarizes the role of EV in the extracellular matrix, the protocol for isolation of EV in the tissue interstitium, and the application of the protocol in different tissues.

[Comparison of trends in congenital heart disease mortality from 1990 to 2017 between China and North America]

Objective: To compare trends in congenital heart disease (CHD) mortality between China and North America from 1990 to 2017. Methods: Using the data from the Global Burden Of Disease (GBD) study 2017, we analyzed the related indicators of CHD mortality in China and North America from 1990 to 2017, including standardized mortality, number of deaths, age distribution of death population and age-specific mortality of CHD in each birth cohort. Age-period-cohort model was used to calculate the annual percent change of age-standardized and age-specific mortality rates of CHD (% per year), period effect-adjusted age-specific mortality rates, and the relative risk of death among CHD population at different time periods (2000－2004 as reference period) and different birth cohorts (1970 as reference cohort). Results: In 2017, the age-standardized mortality rates for CHD in China and North America were 2.63/100 000 and 1.13/100 000 respectively, a decrease of 50.4% and 49.4% compared to 1990. Of all deaths from CHD in China, 76.8% were found in children under 5 years, which was higher than that in North America (51.7%). For population under 40 years, the period effect-adjusted age-specific mortality was higher in China (0.46-167.94 per 100 000 person-years) than in North America (0.68-22.47 per 100 000 person-years); whereas for population over 40 years, mortality was lower in China (0.13-0.34/100 000 person years) than in North America (0.43-0.72/100 000 person-years).From 1990 to 2017, CHD mortality in China decreased by 1.95% per year. The annual decrease of mortality ranged from 1.95% to 3.64% per year in population under 45 years, but the mortality showed increasing trends among those over 50 years. In 2015－2019, the relative risk of death from CHD decreased by 31% in China and 24% in North America. For 2015 birth cohort, the relative risk of death decreased by 84% in China and by 64% in North America. Conclusions: In the past 30 years, the risk of death from CHD in China has significantly decreased, and the survival gap with North America is dramatically narrowed. However, mortality is higher among younger populations in China than in North America, and the mortality in the elders shows increasing trends each year in China.

Analysis of Consistency between Forensic Psychiatry Identification Diagnosis and Clinical Diagnosis of 1 369 Cases

Objective To explore the consistency between identification diagnosis and pre-identification clinical diagnosis of patients with mental disorder undergoing forensic psychiatry identification. Methods The identification data of 1 369 appraised individuals who underwent criminal responsibility identification carried out by the Forensic Institute of Second Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University from 2014 to 2017 were collected retrospectively using self-designed investigation data sorting table. A comparative analysis of the mental disorder diagnosis results of expert opinion and past clinical diagnosis results was made. Results Among 1 369 appraised individuals, 964 cases （70.4%） were identified and diagnosed with mental disorder and 405 cases （29.6%） without mental disorder. Among the former, 63.3% （610 cases） were clinically diagnosed, which was higher than 43.2% （175 cases, P<0.05） in the latter. Among the various mental disorders that had been identified and diagnosed, patients with hysteria, stress, and neurosis had the highest proportion of clinical diagnoses （86.7%）, while patients with mental retardation had the lowest proportion of clinical diagnoses （9.6%）. Schizophrenia had the highest overall consistency rate of identification diagnosis and clinical diagnosis （98.4%）, while personality and behavior disorder had the lowest （33.3%）. The overall consistency rate between clinical diagnosis and identification diagnosis of the mental disorder group was 84.1%, and the Kappa value was 0.759. Compared with clinical diagnosis, the consistency rate between inpatient diagnosis and identification diagnosis was higher （85.9%, P<0.05）. Conclusion In forensic psychiatry identification that provides data of past clinical diagnosis and treatment, a high consistency between identification diagnosis and clinical diagnosis of the appraised individual who is identified and diagnosed with mental disorder exists. Clinical diagnosis （especially the inpatient diagnosis） has a relatively good reference value for forensic psychiatry identification.

Application of Somatic Embryogenesis in Woody Plants

Somatic embryogenesis is a developmental process where a plant somatic cell can dedifferentiate to a totipotent embryonic stem cell that has the ability to give rise to an embryo under appropriate conditions. This new embryo can further develop into a whole plant. In woody plants, somatic embryogenesis plays a critical role in clonal propagation and is a powerful tool for synthetic seed production, germplasm conservation, and cryopreservation. A key step in somatic embryogenesis is the transition of cell fate from a somatic cell to embryo cell. Although somatic embryogenesis has already been widely used in a number of woody species, propagating adult woody plants remains difficult. In this review, we focus on molecular mechanisms of somatic embryogenesis and its practical applications in economic woody plants. Furthermore, we propose a strategy to improve the process of somatic embryogenesis using molecular means.

High-resolution fiber optic temperature sensors using nonlinear spectral curve fitting technique

A generic new data processing method is developed to accurately calculate the absolute optical path difference of a low-finesse Fabry-Perot cavity from its broadband interference fringes. The method combines Fast Fourier Transformation with nonlinear curve fitting of the entire spectrum. Modular functions of LabVIEW are employed for fast implementation of the data processing algorithm. The advantages of this technique are demonstrated through high performance fiber optic temperature sensors consisting of an infrared superluminescent diode and an infrared spectrometer. A high resolution of 0.01 °C is achieved over a large dynamic range from room temperature to 800 °C, limited only by the silica fiber used for the sensor.

Phytoremediation of trichlorophenol by Phase II metabolism in transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing a Populus glucosyltransferase

Trichlorophenol (TCP) and its derivatives are introduced into the environment through numerous sources, including wood preservatives and biocides. Environmental contamination by TCPs is associated with human health risks, necessitating the development of cost-effective remediation techniques. Efficient phytoremediation of TCP is potentially feasible because it contains a hydroxyl group and is suitable for direct phase II metabolism. In this study, we present a system for TCP phytoremediation based on sugar conjugation by overexpressing a Populus putative UDP-glc-dependent glycosyltransferase (UGT). The enzyme PtUGT72B1 displayed the highest TCP-conjugating activity among all reported UGTs. Transgenic Arabidopsis demonstrated significantly enhanced tolerances to 2,4,5-TCP and 2,4,6-TCP. Transgenic plants also exhibited a strikingly higher capacity to remove TCP from their media. This work indicates that Populus UGT overexpression in Arabidopsis may be an efficient method for phytoremoval and degradation of TCP. Our findings have the potential to provide a suitable remediation strategy for sites contaminated by TCP.

Stress responses to phenol in Arabidopsis and transcriptional changes revealed by microarray analysis

Phenols are toxic, environmentally persistent products of the chemical industry that are capable of bioaccumulation and biomagnifications in the food chain. Little is known of how plants respond to this compound. To understand the transcriptional changes under phenol, microarray experiments on Arabidopsis thaliana were performed. Microarray results revealed numerous perturbations in signaling and metabolic pathways. The results indicated that the phenol response was related to reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and oxidative conditions, including ROS generated for pathogen defense.

N-(2-Amino-ethyl)-5-(dimethyl-amino)naphthalene-1-sulfonamide

In the title compound, C₁₄H₁₉N₃O₂S, the N atom of the dimethyl­amino group and the S atom are displaced by 0.078 (2) and 0.084 (2) Å, respectively, from the naphthalene ring plane. The 2-amino­ethyl group has a coiled conformation with an N—C—C—NH₂ torsion angle of 53.6 (4)°. In the crystal structure, inter­molecular N—H⋯N and weak C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link mol­ecules into chains along [001].

2-(4-Amino-phen-yl)-1,3-benzothia-zole

The title compound, C₁₃H₁₀N₂S, contains two independent mol­ecules in its asymmetric unit, with slightly different conformations. In one mol­ecule, the dihedral angle between the benzothia­zole unit and the benzene ring is 6.73 (1)°, while the corresponding angle in the other mol­ecule is 1.8 (1)°. In the crystal structure, the mol­ecules are linked into layers by N—H⋯N hydrogen bonds.

Evolutionary discontinuity of the Carabine ground beetles

The Carabine ground beetles are mostly hind wing-less and cannot fly, so that there is more chance of diversification by geographic isolation compared with winged insects. The relationships between morphological diversification and phylogeny of the ground beetles of the world have been inferred mainly by comparisons of mitochondrial ND5 gene sequences. Based on dating by a mitochondrial DNA "clock," it has been deduced that an explosive radiation of the major carabine groups took place 50-40 MYA. This was followed by occasional radiations on various scales, sometimes accompanied by parallel morphological changes. There are also a good number of examples showing that the fundamental morphology has remained unchanged for a long time among geographically isolated populations within the same species. Thus, carabid evolution would have proceeded discontinuously, with phases of rapid morphological change alternating with silent phases.

Sympatric convergence of the color pattern in the Chilean Ceroglossus ground beetles inferred from sequence comparisons of the mitochondrial ND5 gene

The phylogenetic trees have been constructed using the mitochondrial ND5 gene sequences for 66 specimens of the Chilean Ceroglossus ground beetles collected from various localities of Chile. The trees show that the Ceroglossus specimens examined are composed of four phylogenetic lineages that have diverged 25-30 MYA. The results are consistent with the classification proposed by Jiroux (1996) based on morphology, in which Ceroglossus is divided into four species groups. Despite a remarkable color polymorphism revealed by these ground beetles, the color pattern is geographically linked and is not species-specific, suggesting that some ecological or environmental factors are involved in determining it.

Differentiation within the genus Leptocarabus (excl. L. kurilensis) in the Japanese Islands as deduced from mitochondrial ND5 gene sequences (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

The phylogenetic trees have been constructed for the mitochondrial ND5 gene sequences from the Japanese Leptocarabus ground beetles, which contain 101 specimens collected from nearly the complete distribution ranges of them consisting of five morphological species, i.e., Leptocarabus procerulus, L. kumagaii, L. hiurai, L. kyushuensis and L. arboreus. On the trees, there are recognized two major lineages, each of which is further divided into two or more sublineages. The phylogenetic lines are geographically linked. Two or more species occur in a single lineage, and the same species appear in different lines. We suggest that transformation from one type of morphology to another took place in parallel in various periods of evolution of the Japanese Leptocarabus. From the phylogenetic tree and the dating from the nucleotide substitution rate and the geohistorical data it is inferred that the ancestry of all the Japanese Leptocarabus species was derived from a protoform of L. kyushuensis inhabited the ancient Japan area, followed by separation into two lineages after split of the Japanese Islands from the Eurasian Continent. They then propagated distribution to occupy their own habitat ranges, during which the morphological transformation took place in some lineages.

Formation of the Japanese Carabina fauna inferred from a phylogenetic tree of mitochondrial ND5 gene sequences (Coleoptera, carabidae)

Phylogenetic analyses based on the mitochondrial ND5 gene comparisons and the geohistory of the Japanese Islands suggest that each Japanese species belonging to the subtribe Carabina has its own history for the establishment of its present habitat in the Japanese Islands. It can be roughly classified into two categories: (1) species which were derived from the ancestry that inhabited ancient Japan at the time of its split from the Eurasian Continent [ca. 15 million years ago (MYA)], followed by diversification within the Japanese Islands; and (2) species which invaded Hokkaido from the Eurasian Continent through land-bridges from Sakhalin and/or the Kuriles or from western Japan from the Korean Peninsula during the glacial era (<2 MYA).

Pattern of morphological diversification in the Leptocarabus ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) as deduced from mitochondrial ND5 gene and nuclear 28S rDNA sequences

Most of the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 (ND5) gene and a part of nuclear 28S ribosomal RNA gene were sequenced for 14 species of ground beetles belonging to the genus Leptocarabus. In both the ND5 and the 28S rDNA phylogenetic trees of Leptocarabus, three major lineages were recognized: (1) L. marcilhaci/L. yokoael/Leptocarabus sp. from China, (2) L. koreanus/L. truncaticollis/L. seishinensis/L. semiopacus/L. canaliculatus/L. kurilensis from the northern Eurasian continent including Korea and Hokkaido, Japan, and (3) all of the Japanese species except L. kurilensis. Clustering of the species in the trees is largely linked to their geographic distribution and does not correlate with morphological characters. The species belonging to different species groups are clustered in the same lineages, and those in the same species group are scattered among the different lineages. One of the possible interpretations of the present results would be that morphological transformations independently took place in the different lineages, sometimes with accompanying parallel morphological evolution, resulting in the occurrence of the morphological species belonging to the same species group (= type) in the different lineages.

Evolution of the carabid ground beetles

The phylogenetic relationships of the carabid ground beetles have been estimated by analysing a large part of the ND5 gene sequences of more than 1,000 specimens consisting of the representative species and geographic races covering most of the genera and subgenera known in the world. From the phylogenetic analyses in conjunction with the mtDNA-based dating, a scenario of the establishment of the present habitats of the respective Japanese carabids has been constructed. The carabid diversification took place ca. 40 MYA as an explosive radiation of the major genera. During evolution, occasional small or single bangs also took place, sometimes accompanied by parallel morphological evolution in phylogenetically remote as well as close lineages. The existence of silent periods, in which few morphological changes took place, has been recognized during evolution. Thus, the carabid evolution is discontinuous, alternatively having a phase of rapid morphological change and a silent phase.

Origin and diversification of hindwingless Damaster ground beetles within the Japanese islands as deduced from mitochondrial ND5 gene sequences (Coleoptera, Carabidae)

Genealogical trees have been constructed using mitochondrial ND5 gene sequences of 78 Damaster (s. str.) specimens from all over the Japanese Islands. Eight lineages (called races in this paper) have been recognized. The races are tightly linked to geography with sharp distribution boundaries between them. The races and their distribution ranges do not coincide with those of classical morphology. Based on the observed distribution of the mitochondrial DNA haplotypes and the geohistorical data, we propose a diversification scenario of Damaster.

Parallel evolution in radiation of Ohomopterus ground beetles inferred from mitochondrial ND5 gene sequences

Molecular phylogenetic analyses using mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 (ND5) gene sequences representing all 15 species and the majority of subspecies or races of the Ohomopterus ground beetles from all over the Japanese archipelago have uncovered a remarkable evolutionary history. Clustering of the species in the molecular phylogenetic tree is linked to their geographic distribution and does not correlate with morphological characters. Taxonomically the "same" species or the members belonging to the same species-group fall out in more than two different places on the ND5 tree. Evidence has been presented against a possible participation of ancestral polymorphism and random lineage sorting or of hybrid individuals for the observed distribution of mitochondrial DNA haplotypes. The most plausible explanation of our results is that parallel evolution took place in different lineages. Most notably, O. dehaanii, O. yaconinus, and O. japonicus in a lineage reveal almost identical morphology with those of the "same" species (or subspecies) but belonging to the phylogenetically remote lineages.

Phylogenetic relationships and evolution of the Japanese Carabinae ground beetles based on mitochondrial ND5 gene sequences

The phylogenetic relationships of the Japanese Carabinae ground beetles were analyzed by comparing 1,069 nucleotide sequences in the mitochondrial gene encoding NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 (ND5). The ND5 phylogenetic tree revealed that the hind-wingless Carabina and the hind-winged Calosoma/Campalita (Calosomina) diverged from the common ancestor, and Cychrus (Cychrini) is the outgroup of them. Five distinct clusters (groups) can be recognized in the Carabina, i.e., CARABUS, HEMICARABUS, LEPTOCARABUS, APOTOMOPTERUS, and PROCRUSTES/DAMASTER. The ancestors of these lineages diverged almost at the same time more than 10 Myr ago. The Carabus cluster includes two subclusters, Carabus and Ohomopterus. Two species of Carabus examined are phylogenetically rather remote, while five species among Ohomopterus are closely related to each other. The results suggest that diversification of Carabus started much earlier than that of Ohomopterus, presumably in the Eurasian continent, and that of Ohomopterus in the Japanese archipelago. The branching order in the LEPTOCARABUS lineage was established, Authenocarabus/Pentacarabus being their outgroup. In the DAMASTER/PROCRUSTES lineage, Procrustes is placed as the outgroup of Damaster, with the branching order of Coptolabrus and Acoptolabrus/Damaster. The diversification of the Damaster subspecies appeared to have occurred in the Japanese archipelago earlier than Ohomopterus, and its phylogeny reflects their geographic distribution in the archipelago rather than the morphological characters.

Molecular characterization of ovary trehalase of the silkworm, Bombyx mori and its transcriptional activation by diapause hormone

We have isolated a cDNA encoding ovary trehalase of the silkworm, Bombyx mori. Sequence analyses revealed that the isolated cDNA contains 3143 nucleotides and comprises 579 amino acids, including a cleavable signal sequence and five potential N-glycosylation sites. Northern blot analysis showed a 3.0 kb transcript in developing ovaries carrying membrane-bound trehalase. A single copy of trehalase gene was present in the haploid genome of the silkworm. The effect of diapause hormone on the accumulation of trehalase mRNA was examined on developing ovaries in in vivo and in vitro conditions. The synthetic diapause hormone brought about a 6-fold increase in trehalase mRNA content in ovaries 4 h after injection. The similar increase was found in ovaries which were incubated in vitro with diapause hormone. Coincubation of ovaries with diapause hormone and actinomycin D could not increase the mRNA level in ovaries, and maintained a basal level which was found in ovaries incubated without diapause hormone. These results indicate that diapause hormone stimulates transcription of the trehalase gene in developing ovaries of the silkworm.

Purification, cDNA cloning and northern blot analysis of trehalase of pupal midgut of the silkworm, Bombyx mori

Trehalase (alpha-glucoside-1-glucohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.28) was purified from silkworm pupal midgut to homogeneity by DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B and hydroxyapatite chromatography, and native gel electrophoresis. The enzyme had a molecular mass of 70 kDa. The N-terminal amino-acid sequence of the intact trehalase and its three fragments by V8 proteinase digestion was determined. Based on the amino-acid sequence, degenerate oligonucleotides were synthesized and used as primers in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Using a 0.8 kb PCR product as a hybridization probe, trehalase clones were isolated from the pupal midgut cDNA library. Sequence analysis revealed that the isolated trehalase cDNA contains 3103 nucleotides and comprises 579 amino acids, including a cleavable signal sequence and five potential N-glycosylation sites. Northern blot analysis clearly showed a 3.0 kb transcript in midgut, and Malpighian tubule, but not in fat body, silk gland, ovary, trachea, brain and suboesophageal ganglion.

Trehalase from male accessory gland of an insect, Tenebrio molitor. cDNA sequencing and developmental profile of the gene expression

A cDNA of alpha alpha-trehalase (EC 3.2.1.28) from a cDNA library of male bean-shaped accessory gland of the mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor, has been isolated by the homology screening approach. Sequence analysis of the cDNA (1830 bp) revealed that the cDNA encoded a protein of 555 amino acids with a calculated M(r) of 64457. The deduced amino acid sequence had significant similarities to rabbit small intestine and Escherichia coli trehalases. Northern blotting and semi-quantitative PCR analyses revealed that a trehalase transcript with about 2.0 kb was abundant in bean-shaped accessory glands. In the glands, the amount of trehalase transcript increased from 1 to 2 days after adult ecdysis. These tissue- and stage-specific gene expressions of trehalase corresponded to the tissue- and stage-specificity of trehalase activity.