Characteristics of gut microbiota and its association with the activity of β-glucuronidase in neonates with hyperbilirubinemia / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the characteristics of gut microbiota and its association with the activity of β-glucuronidase (β-GD) in neonates with hyperbilirubinemia.@*METHODS@#A total of 50 neonates with hyperbilirubinemia who were admitted in January to December, 2018, were enrolled as the hyperbilirubinemia group, and 30 neonates without hyperbilirubinemia were enrolled as the control group. The 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing method was used to compare gut microbiota between the two groups. The phenolphthalein-glucuronic acid substrate method was used to measure the activity of β-GD in the intestinal tract of neonates with hyperbilirubinemia before and after treatment.@*RESULTS@#The comparison of the distribution of gut microbiota at the genus level showed a significant difference in the abundance of 52 bacteria between the hyperbilirubinemia and control groups before treatment (@*CONCLUSIONS@#There are differences in gut microbiota between the neonates with hyperbilirubinemia and those without hyperbilirubinemia. The activity of β-GD in feces is positively correlated with the abundance of

In silico investigation of heparanase-correlated genes in breast cancer subtypes / Investigação in silico dos genes correlacionados à heparanase nos diferentes subtipos de câncer de mama

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate the possible genes that may be related to the mechanisms that modulate heparanase-1. Methods The analysis was conducted at Universidade Federal de São Paulo, on the data provided by: The Cancer Genome Atlas, University of California Santa Cruz Genome Browser, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes Pathway Database, Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery Bioinformatics Database and the softwares cBioPortal and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. Results Using messenger RNA expression pattern of different molecular subtypes of breast cancer, we proposed that heparinase-1 was co-related with its progression. In addition, genes that were analyzed presented co-expression with heparanase-1. The results that showed that heparanase-1 co-expressed with phosphoinositide 3-kinase adapter protein 1, sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin 7, and leukocyte-associated immunoglobulin-like receptor 1 are directed related with immune system evasion during breast cancer progression. Furthermore, cathepsin L was co-expressed with heparanase-1 and transformed inactive heparanase-1 form into active heparanase-1, triggering extracellular matrix remodeling, which contributes to enhanced tumor-host interaction of the tumor. Conclusion The signaling pathway analysis using bioinformatics tools gives supporting evidence of possible mechanisms related to breast cancer development. Evasion genes of the immune system co-expressed with heparanase-1, a enzyme related with tumor progression.

RESUMO Objetivo Investigar os genes que podem estar relacionados aos mecanismos que modulam a heparanase-1. Métodos A análise foi realizada na Universidade Federal de São Paulo, utilizando dados fornecidos por: The Cancer Genome Atlas, University of California Santa Cruz Genome Browser, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes Pathway Database, Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery Bioinformatics Database e os softwares cBioPortal e Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. Resultados Usando o perfil de expressão de RNA mensageiro de diferentes subtipos moleculares de câncer de mama, propusemos que a heparanase-1 esteve correlacionada com a progressão tumoral. Além disso, os genes analisados apresentaram coexpressão com heparanase-1. Os resultados mostraram que a heparanase-1 coexpressa com proteína adaptadora 1 da fosfoinositídeo 3-quinase, lectina 7 tipo Ig de ligação ao ácido siálico e receptor 1 do tipo imunoglobulina associado a leucócitos, estes genes estão diretamente relacionados à evasão do sistema imune durante a progressão do câncer de mama. Além disso, a catepsina L foi coexpressa com a heparanase-1 e transformou a forma inativa da heparanase-1 em heparanase-1 ativa, desencadeando o remodelamento da matriz extracelular, o que contribuiu para a interação do tumor com o ambiente tumoral. Conclusão A análise utilizando bioinformática fornece evidências de possíveis mecanismos relacionados ao desenvolvimento do câncer de mama. Genes de evasão do sistema imune foram coexpressos com a heparanase-1, uma enzima relacionada à progressão tumoral.

Heparanase promotes trans-endothelial migration of hepatocarcinoma cells by inducing apoptosis of microvascular endothelial cells / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the effect of heparanase (HPSE) on apoptosis of microvascular endothelial cells (MVECs) and trans-endothelial migration of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells.@*METHODS@#A HCC cell line with high HPSE expression was selected by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting and transefected with a lentiviral vector containing an interfering RNA sequence of HPSE. Transwell migration assay was performed to detect the trans-endothelial migration (TEM) rate of the transfected HCC cells across human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). In a Transwell indirect co-culture system, the effect of HPSE silencing in the HCC cells was determined on apoptosis of HUVECs . A nude mouse model of HCC was used to verify the effect of HPSE on apoptosis of MVECs and liver metastasis of the tumor.@*RESULTS@#HCCLM3 cell line highly expressing HPSE was selected for the experiment. Transfection of the HCC cells with the lentiviral vector for HPSE interference the HCC cells resulted in significantly lowered TEM rate as compared with the cells transfected with the control vector ( < 0.01). In the indirect co-culture system, the survival rate of HUVECs co-cultured with HCCLM3 cells with HPSE interference was significantly higher and their apoptotic index was significantly lower than those in the control group ( < 0.05). Ultrastructural observation showed no obvious apoptosis of HUVECs co-cultured with HCCLM3 cells with HPSE interference but revealed obvious apoptotic changes in the control group. In the animal experiment, the tumor formation rate in the liver was 100% (6/6) in the control group, significantly higher than that in RNAi group (33.3%, 2/6) ( < 0.05). Under optical microscope, necrosis and apoptosis of the MVECs was detected in the liver of the control mice, while the endothelial cells remained almost intact in RNAi group.@*CONCLUSIONS@#HPSE promotes the metastasis of HCC cells by inducing apoptosis of MVECs.

Sex-related Alterations of Gut Microbiota in the C57BL/6 Mouse Model of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND: Gut microbiota is closely associated with development and exacerbation of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The aim of this study was to investigate differences in gut microbiota depending on sex and changes of gut microbiota during IBD developments. METHODS: 16s rRNA metagenomic sequencing was performed for fecal materials from 8-week-old wild type (WT) and interleukin 10 (IL-10) knockout (KO) C57BL/6 mice of both sexes. Diversity indices, relative abundance of microbiota, and linear discriminant analysis effect size were examined to compare microbial communities between groups. Clustering of groups was performed by principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) and unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA). Functional capabilities of microbiota were estimated using phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states (PICRUSt) based on Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database. RESULTS: PCoA and UPGMA tree analysis of beta-diversity demonstrated significant differences in gut microbiota between male and female groups of WT mice, but not of IL-10 KO mice. Firmicutes to Bacteroides ratio was higher in male group than that in female group in both WT mice and IL-10 KO mice. Phylum Proteobacteria significantly increased in female IL-10 KO mice than that in female WT mice. At species level, Lactobacillus murinus, Bacteroides acidifaciens, and Helicobacter hepaticus significantly increased in IL-10 KO mice than in WT mice. The relative abundance of beta-glucuronidase (K01195) was higher in female IL-10 KO mice than that in female WT mice by PICRUSt. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that microbiota-host interactions might differ between sexes during development of IBD.

Effect of Ronghuang Granule on serum FGF23, FGFRs and Klotho in non-dialysis patients with CKD-MBD and kidney deficiency and damp-heat syndrome / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of Ronghuang granule on serum fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFRs) and Klotho protein levels in non-dialysis patients with chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) and kidney deficiency and damp heat syndrome.@*METHODS@#Seventy non-dialysis CKD-MBD patients with kidney deficiency and dampness-heat syndrome were randomized into control group (=35) and treatment group (=35). All the patients were given routine treatment combined with traditional Chinese medicine retention enema, and the patients in the treatment group received additional Ronghuang granule treatment (3 times a day). After the 12-week treatments, the patients were examined for changes of TCM syndromes. Serum levels of Ca, P, parathyroid hormone (iPTH), FGF23, FGFRs and Klotho proteins were detected before and after treatment. These parameters were also examined in 20 healthy volunteers.@*RESULTS@#Sixty-five patients completed the study, including 33 in the control group and 32 in the treatment group. The patients in the treatment group showed significantly better treatment responses than those in the control group ( < 0.05 or 0.01). At 4, 8, and 12 weeks of treatment, the patients in the treatment group had significantly lowered scores of TCM syndromes compared with the score before treatment ( < 0.05 or 0.01), while in the control group, significant reduction of the scores occurred only at 12 weeks ( < 0.05); at each of the time points, the treatment group had significantly greater reductions in the score than the control group ( < 0.01). Significant improvements in serum Ca, P and iPTH levels were observed at 4, 8, and 12 weeks in the treatment group ( < 0.05) but only at 12 weeks in the control group ( < 0.05). The patients in the control and treatment groups all showed elevated serum levels of FGF23, FGFRs and Klotho protein compared with the normal subjects ( < 0.01); FGF23, FGFRs and Klotho levels were significantly reduced in the treatment group ( < 0.05) but remained unchanged in the control group (>0.05), showing significant differences between the two groups.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Ronghuang granule improves the clinical symptoms of non-dialysis CKD-MBD patients with kidney deficiency and dampness heat syndrome by reducing serum levels of FGF23, FGFRs and Klotho, improving calcium and phosphorus metabolism disorder, and inhibiting secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Research update of Klotho in kidney injury and repair / 生理学报

Klotho is highly expressed in the kidney, while soluble Klotho is detectable in the blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid, and has multiple hormone-like functions. The role of Klotho in kidney injury has attracted more and more attentions from researchers. Emerging evidence revealed that the transient deficiency of Klotho is an early event of acute kidney injury (AKI), whereas, in chronic kidney disease, this deficiency is sustained not only in the kidney, but also in other organ systems. Therefore, Klotho could be a potential biomarker for early diagnosis of AKI, as well as for its progression to chronic kidney disease. Moreover, Klotho might have therapeutic value to renal injury. Nevertheless, there are only few studies on the involvement of Klotho in post AKI repair. This review focused on the role of Klotho in not only kidney injury, but also its repair, in particular the relationship between Klotho and cell fate (autophagy/apoptosis/necrosis), repair/regeneration, Wnt/β-catenin and erythropoietin receptor, one of the Klotho effectors.

Exogenous H₂O₂ regulated secondary metabolism of Scutellaria baicalensis and enhanced drug quality / 中国中药杂志

The increasing demand of Chinese materia medica could not be supplied by wild resource, and the cultivated medicinal materials become popular, which led to decreased quality of many medicinal materials due to the difference of the circumstance between the wild and the cultivated. How to improve quality becomes key points of Chinese medicine resource. The leaves of Scutellaria baicalensis were sprayed with H₂O₂, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) changed little, but there had been a marked decrease of peroxidase (POD) and ascorbic oxidase (APX), which showed that the antioxidase system declined. Meanwhile, H₂O₂, as enhanced the expression of phenylalnine ammonialyase (PAL) and β-glucuronidase (GUS) as well as activity of PAL, promoted the biosynthesis and biotransformation of flavonoids. At the day 2 after treated, H₂O₂ of 0.004 μmol·L⁻¹ the contents of the baicalin and the wogonoside decreased slightly, but the contents of the baicalein and the wogonin increased significantly, the baicalein from 0.094% to 0.324%, the wogonin from 0.060% to 0.110%, i. e. increased 246% and 83.3%, respectively.

Construction of an RNAi vector for knockdown of GM-ACS genes in the cotyledonary nodes of soybean

Background: Ethylene plays an important role in the regulation of floral organ development in soybean, and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase (ACS) is a rate-limiting enzyme for ethylene biosynthesis. However, whether ACS also regulates floral organ differentiation in soybean remains unknown. To address this, we constructed an RNAi vector to inhibit ACS expression in cotyledonary nodes. Linear DNA cassettes of RNAi-ACS obtained by PCR were used to transform soybean cotyledonary nodes. Results: In total, 131 of 139 transiently transformed plants acquired herbicide resistance and displayed GUS activities in the new buds. In comparison to untransformed seedling controls, a greater number of flower buds were differentiated at the cotyledonary node; GM-ACS1 mRNA expression levels and ethylene emission in the transformed buds were reduced. Conclusion: These results indicate that the cotyledonary node transient transformation system may be suitable for stable transformation and that the inhibition of ACS expression may be an effective strategy for promoting floral organ differentiation in soybean.

Efficient regeneration and genetic transformation platform applicable to five Musa varieties

Background: Banana (Musa spp.) is an important staple food, economic crop, and nutritional fruit worldwide. Conventional breeding has been seriously hampered by their long generation time, polyploidy, and sterility of most cultivated varieties. Establishment of an efficient regeneration and transformation system for banana is critical to its genetic improvement and functional genomics. Results: In this study, a vigorous and repeatable transformation system for banana using direct organogenesis was developed. The greatest number of shoots per explant for all five Musa varieties was obtained using Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 8.9 µM benzylaminopurine and 9.1 µM thidiazuron. One immature male flower could regenerate 380­456, 310­372, 200­240, 130­156, and 100­130 well-developed shoots in only 240­270 d for Gongjiao, Red banana, Rose banana, Baxi, and Xinglongnaijiao, respectively. Longitudinal sections of buds were transformed through particle bombardment combined with Agrobacterium-mediated transformation using a promoterless ß-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene; the highest transformation efficiency was 9.81% in regenerated Gongjiao plantlets in an optimized selection medium. Transgenic plants were confirmed by a histochemical assay of GUS, polymerase chain reaction, and Southern blot. Conclusions: Our robust transformation platform successfully generated hundreds of transgenic plants. Such a platform will facilitate molecular breeding and functional genomics of banana.

Validity of Klotho, CYR61 and YKL-40 as ideal predictive biomarkers for acute kidney injury: review study / Validade de Klotho, CYR61 e YKL-40 como biomarcadores preditivos ideais para lesão renal aguda: estudo de revisão

ABSTRACT CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is still a headache for clinicians and scientists as a possible reason for increased death among intensive care unit (ICU) patients after invasive cardiac surgery. Furthermore, the diagnostic process for AKI using conventional biomarkers is not sufficient to ensure early warning of this condition because of the morbid influence of non-renal factors that definitively delay the time for the prognosis. These imposed limitations have led to significant amounts of research targeted towards identifying novel biomarkers for AKI with a sustained degree of sensitivity and specificity. Here, we reviewed previous studies conducted on the Klotho, CYR61 and YKL-40 biomarkers in relation to AKI. DESIGN AND SETTING: Review of the literature conducted in the Institute of Clinical Chemistry & Biochemistry, Ljubljana University Medical Center, Slovenia. METHODS: The literature was searched in PubMed and the Cochrane Library. From the database of this specialty, we selected 17 references that matched our context for detailed analysis and further investigation. RESULTS: The studies reviewed showed notable differences in their results relating to the diagnostic impact of Klotho, CYR61 and YKL-40 on early prediction of AKI. CONCLUSIONS: The results regarding the Klotho, CYR61 and YKL-40 biomarkers showed markedly equivocal performance in the previous studies and did not fulfill the expectations that these factors would form valid possible biomarkers for AKI.

RESUMO CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: A lesão renal aguda (LRA) ainda é uma dor de cabeça para os clínicos e cientistas como possível razão para o aumento da mortalidade entre os pacientes de unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI) após cirurgia cardíaca invasiva. Além disso, o processo de diagnóstico para LRA usando biomarcadores convencionais não é suficiente para garantir um alerta precoce desta condição, devido à influência mórbida de fatores não renais que podem retardar o tempo para o prognóstico. Essas limitações geraram quantidades significativas de pesquisas orientadas para identificar novos biomarcadores para LRA com um grau adequado de sensibilidade e especificidade. Revisamos estudos anteriores realizados sobre os biomarcadores Klotho, CYR61, YKL-40 para LRA. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Revisão da literatura realizada no Instituto de Química Clínica e Bioquímica, Centro Médico da Universidade de Ljubljana, Eslovênia. MÉTODOS: A literatura foi pesquisada no PubMed e Cochrane Library. A partir da base de dados da especialidade, selecionamos 17 referências que combinavam com o contexto para uma análise detalhada e mais investigação. RESULTADOS: Os estudos revisados mostraram diferenças notáveis nos resultados sobre o impacto diagnóstico de Klotho, CYR61 e YKL-40 sobre a detecção precoce do LRA. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados em relação aos biomarcadores Klotho, CYR61 e YKL-40 mostraram desempenho marcadamente equívoco nos estudos anteriores e não cumpriram as expectativas de que estes fatores constituam possíveis biomarcadores válidos para LRA.

Serum Klotho (but not haplotypes) associate with the post-myocardial infarction status of older adults

OBJECTIVES: The number of deaths from vascular diseases is incredibly high worldwide, and reliable markers for major events are still needed. The current cross-sectional study investigated the association of Klotho haplotypes and Klotho serum levels with classic risk factors and a clinical history of vascular events. METHODS: Clinical, anthropometric, biochemical and nutritional assessments were conducted with 168 older adults, complemented by genotyping (rs9536314 and rs9527025) and the detection of serum Klotho (ELISA). RESULTS: Klotho levels and haplotypes did not associate with most classic risk factors for vascular events, including markers such as C-reactive protein and homocysteine. A positive association was only found between Klotho levels and the previous occurrence of a myocardial infarction by both correlational (p=0.006) and variance analyses (p<0.001), and these associations were independent of the context. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that serum Klotho is higher in individuals with a clinical history of myocardial infarction but not with a history of coronary artery disease or stroke. None of the Klotho haplotypes were associated with the variables investigated herein.

Expression of heparanase in basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract: Background: Heparanase is an enzyme that cleaves heparan sulfate chains. Oligosaccharides generated by heparanase induce tumor progression. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma comprise types of nonmelanoma skin cancer. Objectives: Evaluate the glycosaminoglycans profile and expression of heparanase in two human cell lines established in culture, immortalized skin keratinocyte (HaCaT) and squamous cell carcinoma (A431) and also investigate the expression of heparanase in basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and eyelid skin of individuals not affected by the disease (control). Methods: Glycosaminoglycans were quantified by electrophoresis and indirect ELISA method. The heparanase expression was analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR (qRTPCR). Results: The A431 strain showed significant increase in the sulfated glycosaminoglycans, increased heparanase expression and decreased hyaluronic acid, comparing to the HaCaT lineage. The mRNA expression of heparanase was significantly higher in Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma compared with control skin samples. It was also observed increased heparanase expression in squamous cell carcinoma compared to the Basal cell carcinoma. Conclusion: The glycosaminoglycans profile, as well as heparanase expression are different between HaCaT and A431 cell lines. The increased expression of heparanase in Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma suggests that this enzyme could be a marker for the diagnosis of such types of non-melanoma cancers, and may be useful as a target molecule for future alternative treatment.

Analysis of heparanase isoforms and cathepsin B in the plasma of patients with gastrointestinal carcinomas: analytical cross-sectional study / Análises das isoformas de heparanase e da catepsina B em plasma de pacientes com carcinomas gastrointestinais: estudo transversal analítico

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Heparanase-1 degrades heparan sulfate and has been correlated with tumor progression. Although the isoform heparanase-2 has no catalytic activity, it seems to be important for modulating heparanase-1 activity. Cathepsin B is a proteinase involved in tumor metastasis. The aim of this study was to analyze heparanase isoform expression and cathepsin B activity in plasma samples from patients with gastrointestinal carcinomas, compared with healthy individuals (control group). DESIGN AND SETTING: This was an analytical cross-sectional study. Peripheral blood samples were collected at a Brazilian public hospital, from 21 patients with histopathological diagnoses of gastrointestinal carcinomas and from 43 healthy individuals. The analyses were performed in two Brazilian medical schools. METHODS: Heparanase isoforms were identified and quantified in plasma samples by means of Western blot. The enzymatic activities of heparanase-1 and cathepsin B were also measured. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that the expression of both heparanase isoforms was significantly greater in plasma samples from gastrointestinal carcinoma patients, compared with the control group. Logistic regression analysis showed that increased heparanase-1 and heparanase-2 expression was exclusively dependent on the ...

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: A heparanase-1 degrada heparam sulfato e está relacionada à progressão de tumor. Apesar de a isoforma heparanase-2 não possuir atividade catalítica, parece ser importante para modular a atividade da heparanase-1. A catepsina B é uma proteinase envolvida na metástase de tumores. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a expressão das isoformas de heparanase e atividade da catepsina B em amostras de plasma de pacientes com carcinomas gastrointestinais, comparando-se com indivíduos saudáveis (grupo controle). TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Este é um estudo transversal analítico. Foram coletadas amostras de sangue periférico, em hospital público brasileiro, de 21 pacientes com diagnóstico histopatológico de carcinoma gastrointestinal e 43 indivíduos saudáveis. As análises foram realizadas em duas faculdades de medicina brasileiras. MÉTODOS: As isoformas da heparanase foram identificadas e quantificadas em amostras de plasma por Western blot. As atividades enzimáticas de heparanase-1 e catepsina B foram também mensuradas. RESULTADOS: Os resultados demonstraram que as expressões das isoformas de heparanase foram significativamente maiores nas amostras de plasma de pacientes com carcinoma gastrointestinal em comparação com ...

Correlação e associação de renda e escolaridade com condições de saúde e nutrição em obesos graves / Correlation and association of income and educational level with health and nutritional conditions among the morbidly obese

O objetivo deste artigo é investigar relações entre renda e escolaridade com condições de saúde e nutrição em obesos graves. Estudo transversal ambulatorial com 79 pacientes de primeira consulta, com Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC) ≥ 35 kg/m2 e idade ≥ 20 anos. Coletaram-se dados: sociodemográficos, antropométricos, estilo de vida, exames bioquímicos e consumo alimentar. O IMC médio foi 48,3 ± 6,9 kg/m2. Observou-se correlação negativa significante de escolaridade com variáveis peso (r = -0,234) e IMC (r = -0,364) e de renda familiar per capita com consumo diário de vegetal A (r = -0,263). Após análise multivariada maior renda familiar per capita se associou à ausência de cardiopatia (RP: 0,51, IC95%: 0,32-0,81), maior consumo diário de vegetal A (RP: 1,79, IC95%: 1,16-2,75) e doces (RP: 3,12, IC95%: 1,21-8,04). Em obesos graves a maior renda familiar per capita se associou à ausência de cardiopatia e maior consumo de vegetais folhosos e doces. Já a escolaridade não se manteve associada às condições de saúde e nutrição.

This article seeks to investigate the relationship between income and educational level and health and nutritional conditions among the morbidly obese. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 79 patients at first appointment, with Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 35 kg/m2 and age ≥ 20 years. The following data was collected: demographic, socioeconomic, anthropometric, lifestyle, biochemical and food intake data. Average BMI was 48.3 ± 6.9 kg/m2. There was a significant negative correlation between education level and the variables of weight (r = -0.234) and BMI (r = -0.364) and per capita family income with daily consumption of leafy vegetables (r = -0.263). After multivariate analysis, higher per capita family income was associated with the absence of heart disease (PR: 0.51, CI95%: 0.32-0.81), higher daily consumption of leafy vegetables (PR: 1.79, CI95%: 1.16-2.75) and candy (PR: 3.12, CI95%: 1.21-8.04). In the morbidly obese, per capita household income was associated with absence of heart disease and higher consumption of leafy vegetables and candy. On the other hand, education level was not associated with health and nutrition conditions.

Cloning and bioinformatic analysis and expression analysis of beta-glucuronidase in Scutellaria baicalensis / 中国中药杂志

The β-Glucuronidase gene (sbGUS) cDNA firstly from Scutellari abaicalensis leaf was cloned by RT-PCR, with GenBank accession number KR364726. The full length cDNA of sbGUS was 1 584 bp with an open reading frame (ORF), encoding an unstable protein with 527 amino acids. The bioinformatic analysis showed that the sbGUS encoding protein had isoelectric point (pI) of 5.55 and a calculated molecular weight about 58.724 8 kDa, with a transmembrane regions and signal peptide, had conserved domains of glycoside hydrolase super family and unintegrated trans-glycosidase catalytic structure. In the secondary structure, the percentage of alpha helix, extended strand, β-extended and random coil were 25.62%, 28.84%, 13.28% and 32.26%, respectively. The homologous analysis indicated the nucleotide sequence 98.93% similarity and the amino acid sequence 98.29% similarity with S. baicalensis (BAA97804.1), in the nine positions were different. The expression level of sGUS was the highest in root based on a real-time PCR analysis, followed by flower and stem, and the lowest was in stem. The results provide a foundation for exploring the molecular function of sbGUS involved in baicalcin biosynthesis based on synthetic biology approach in S. baicalensis plants.

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Cymbidium sinensis / 生物工程学报

Genetic transformation is an effective method to improve breeding objective traits of orchids. However, there is little information about genetic transformation of Cymbidium sinensis. Rhizomes from shoot-tip culture of C. sinensis cv. 'Qijianbaimo' were used to establish a practical transformation protocol of C. sinensis. Pre-culture time, concentration and treating methods of acetosyringone, concentration of infection bacteria fluid (OD600), infection time, and co-culture time had significant effects on β-glucuronidase (GUS) transient expression rate of C. sinensis cv. 'Qijianbaimo' rhizome. The GUS transient expression rate of rhizome was the highest (11.67%) when rhizomes pre-cultured for 39 d were soaked in bacterium suspension (OD600 = 0.9) supplemented with 200 μmol/L acetosyringone for 35 min, followed by culturing on co-culture medium supplemented with 200 μmol/L acetosyringone for 7 d. Under this transformation conditions, 3 transgenic plantlets, confirmed by GUS histochemical assay and PCR, were obtained from 400 regenerated plantlets, and the genetic transformation rate was 0.75%. This proved that it was feasible to create new cultivars by the use of Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation in C. sinense.

Semi-rational modification for improving bond selectivity of recombinant β-glucuronidase / 生物工程学报

To improve bond selectivity of recombinant β-glucuronidase in Escherichia coli (PGUS-E), based on the PGUS-E structure guidance, three key points R329, T369 and N467 were identified to be responsible for the bond selectivity of PGUS-E, and further saturation mutagenesis was conducted. Two positive mutants R329K and T369V were obtained by a combined selection technique of thin-layer chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography. Compared to PGUS-E, the bond selectivity of mutants R329K and T369V increased by 26.9% and 34.3%, respectively; whereas the biochemical properties such as pH and temperature profile were unchanged. Nevertheless, the activity was decreased compared to PGUS-E. These results further confirmed that sites R329 and T369 played important roles for the bond selectivity and activity. In summary, this study significantly increased the bond selectivity of PGUS-E by structure guided saturation mutagenesis, providing experimental support for elucidating the relationship between the structure and function of PGUS-E.

Fibroblast growth factor 23 and bone mineralisation / 国际口腔科学杂志·英文版

Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is a hormone that is mainly secreted by osteocytes and osteoblasts in bone. The critical role of FGF23 in mineral ion homeostasis was first identified in human genetic and acquired rachitic diseases and has been further characterised in animal models. Recent studies have revealed that the levels of FGF23 increase significantly at the very early stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and may play a critical role in mineral ion disorders and bone metabolism in these patients. Our recent publications have also shown that FGF23 and its cofactor, Klotho, may play an independent role in directly regulating bone mineralisation instead of producing a systematic effect. In this review, we will discuss the new role of FGF23 in bone mineralisation and the pathophysiology of CKD-related bone disorders.

Impact of transfection with recombinant adenovirus vector-mediated Klotho gene on myocardial remodeling in a rat model of heart failure / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the impact of transfection with recombinant adenovirus vector-mediated Klotho gene on myocardial remodeling in a rat model of heart failure (HF) by intraperitoneal injection of isoproterenol.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rats were divided into 5 groups by table of exponential random numbers: normal control group, HF group, saline-control HF group, recombinant adenovirus vector transfection group (Ad.EGFP group, 2 × 10¹⁰ pfu, 0.5 ml/rat), pDC316-CMV-EGFP-rKlotho transfection group (Ad.Klotho group, n=5 each). Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was obtained by echocardiography, hemodynamic parameters obtained by multi-channel physiological recorder, myocardial tissue underwent pathohistological examination. Additionally, the green fluorescin expression was observed on frozen heart section. Myocardial fibrosis correlated gene expression including Klotho gene, collagen I and III was detected by real time-PCR. Moreover, plasma levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) were measured with ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared to saline control HF group, LVEF, LVSP and ±dp/dtmax were significantly increased, myocardial fibrosis and myocardial remodeling were significantly attenuated in the Ad. Klotho group and there was green fluorescin distribution in myocardial tissues of Ad. Klotho group. Klotho expression was down-regulated and collagen I and III expression was upregulated in HF rats compared to normal control group (all P<0.05) and these changes could be significantly reversed in Ad. Klotho group (all P<0.05). Plasma BNP level was also significantly lower in Ad. Klotho group than in HF group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Klotho gene transfection could improve cardiac function and attenuate cardiac remodeling and reducing myocardial fibrosis.</p>

Renal Klotho expression in patients with acute kidney injury is associated with the severity of the injury

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The potential physiologic roles of Klotho in acute kidney injury (AKI) have recently been demonstrated in animal models. However, to date, there have been no human studies investigating the expression of renal Klotho in AKI. METHODS: We retrospectively collected biopsy specimens and clinical data of AKI patients between January 2001 and December 2012. Klotho expression was determined by immunohistochemical staining, and the clinical-pathological correlation was examined. RESULTS: Among the 34 patients diagnosed with acute tubular necrosis or acute tubulointerstitial nephritis, 21 patients without chronic histological lesions were included. The mean age was 37.3 +/- 18.5 years and the mean peak creatinine level was 8.2 +/- 5.5 mg/dL. In total, 10 patients (47.6%) received temporary renal replacement therapy (RRT); however, 17 patients (81%) showed functional recovery with creatinine levels of < 1.3 mg/dL after 1 month. The intensity of Klotho expression was scored as a percentage of Klotho-positive area. The renal Klotho score showed a significant negative correlation with the initial or peak creatinine level. When the patients were divided into three groups according to the Klotho score (low, middle, high), the low group had a significantly higher peak creatinine level and a more frequent requirement for RRT. However, the Klotho score was not a significant predictor of renal recovery. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated that renal Klotho expression in humans decreased significantly according to the severity of AKI, regardless of the etiology, and that low expression was associated with a poor short-term outcome.