Species identification of Ligustrum lucidum / 中国中药杂志

Ligustrum lucidum is a woody perennial plant of genus Ligustrum in family Oleaceae. Its dried fruit has high medicinal value. In this study, the authors evaluated the variability and species identification efficiency of three specific DAN barcodes(rbcL-accD, ycf1a, ycf1b) and four general DAN barcodes(matK, rbcL, trnH-psbA, ITS2) for a rapid and accurate molecular identification of Ligustrum species. The results revealed that matK, rbcL, trnH-psbA, ITS2 and ycf1a were inefficient for identifying the Ligustrum species, and a large number of insertions and deletions were observed in rbcL-accD sequence, which was thus unsuitable for development as specific barcode. The ycf1b-2 barcode had DNA barcoding gap and high success rate of PCR amplification and DNA sequencing, which was the most suitable DNA barcode for L. lucidum identification and achieved an accurate result. In addition, to optimize the DNA extraction experiment, the authors extracted and analyzed the DNA of the exocarp, mesocarp, endocarp and seed of L. lucidum fruit. It was found that seed was the most effective part for DNA extraction, where DNAs of high concentration and quality were obtained, meeting the needs of species identification. In this study, the experimental method for DNA extraction of L. lucidum was optimized, and the seed was determined as the optimal part for DNA extraction and ycf1b-2 was the specific DNA barcode for L. lucidum identification. This study laid a foundation for the market regulation of L. lucidum.

Establishing veterinary graduation competencies and its impact on veterinary medical education in Korea

Competencies are defined as an observable and assessable set of knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Graduation competencies, which are more comprehensive, refer to the required abilities of students to perform on-site work immediately after graduation. As graduation competencies set the goal of education, various countries and institutions have introduced them for new veterinary graduates. The Korean Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges has recently established such competencies to standardize veterinary education and enhance quality levels thereof. The purpose of this study is to describe the process of establishing graduation competencies as well as their implication for veterinary education in Korea.Graduation competencies for veterinary education in Korea comprise 5 domains (animal health care and disease management, one health expertise, communication and collaboration, research and learning, and veterinary professionalism). These are further divided into 11 core competencies, and 33 achievement standards, which were carefully chosen from previous case analyses and nation-wide surveys. Currently, graduation competencies are used as a standard for setting clear educational purposes for both instructors and students. Establishing these competencies further initiated the development of detailed learning outcomes, and of a list of basic veterinary clinical performances and skills, which is useful for assessing knowledge and skills. The establishment of graduation competencies is expected to contribute to the continuous development of Korean veterinary education in many ways. These include curriculum standardization and licensing examination reform, which will eventually improve the competencies of new veterinary graduates.

Recombinant Schistosoma japonicum egg ribonuclease SjCP1412 inhibits the activation of LX-2 hepatic stellate cells in vitro / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of recombinant Schistosoma japonicum egg ribonuclease SjCP1412 (rSjCP1412) on proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis and activation of human hepatic stellate cells LX-2 in vitro, and explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods The rSjCP1412 protein was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 by prokaryotic expression, and the highly purified soluble rSjCP1412 protein was prepared by Ni NTA affinity chromatography and urea gradient refolding dialysis. Yeast RNA was digested using 12.5, 25.0, 50.0 µg rSjCP1412 proteins at 37 °C for 2, 3, 4 h, and the enzymatic products were electrophoresed on 1.5% agarose gel to observe the RNAase activity of rSjCP1412 protein. The proliferation of LX-2 cells stimulated by different doses of rSjCP1412 protein for 48 hours was measured using CCK-8 assay, and the apoptosis of LX-2 cells stimulated by different doses of rSjCP1412 protein for 48 hours was detected using the Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining, while the percentage of LX-2 cells at G0/G1, S and G2/M phases of cell cycle following stimulation with different doses of rSjCP1412 protein for 48 h was detected by DAPI staining. The type I collagen, type III collagen and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) mRNA expression was quantified using quantitative florescent real-time PCR (qPCR) assay and Western blotting at transcriptional and translational levels in LX-2 cells following stimulation with different doses of rSjCP1412 protein for 48 h, while soluble egg antigen (SEA) served a positive control and PBS without rSjCP1412 protein as a normal control in the above experiments. The expression of collagen I, α-SMA and Smad4 protein was determined using Western blotting in LX-2 cells following stimulation with rSjCP1412 protein, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) alone or in combination, to examine the signaling for the effect of rSjCP1412 protein on LX-2 cells. Results The rSjCP1412 protein was successfully expressed and the highly purified soluble rSjCP1412 protein was prepared, which had a RNase activity. Compared with the normal group, the survival rates of LX-2 cells significantly decreased post-treatment with 12.5, 25.0, 50.0 µg/mL rSjCP1412 protein and SEA for 48 h (F = 22.417 and 20.448, both P values < 0.05). The apoptotic rates of LX-2 cells significantly increased post-treatment with 12.5, 25.0, 50.0 µg/mL rSjCP1412 protein for 48 h (F = 11.350, P < 0.05), and treatment with 12.5, 25.0, 50.0 µg/mL rSjCP1412 protein for 48 h resulted in arrest of LX-2 cells in G0/G1 phase (F = 20.710, P < 0.05). Treatment with 12.5, 25.0, 50.0 µg/mL rSjCP1412 protein for 48 h caused a significant reduction in relative expression levels of collagen I (F = 11.340, P < 0.05), collagen III (F = 456.600, P < 0.05) and α-SMA mRNA (F = 23.100, P < 0.05) in LX-2 cells, and both rSjCP1412 protein and SEA treatment caused a significant reduction in collagen I (F = 1 302.000, P < 0.05), α-SMA (F = 49.750, P < 0.05) and Smad4 protein expression (F = 52.420, P < 0.05) in LX-2 cells. In addition, rSjCP1412 protein treatment inhibited collagen I (F = 66.290, P < 0.05), α-SMA (F = 31.300, P < 0.05) and Smad4 protein expression (F = 27.010, P < 0.05) in LX-2 cells activated by TGF-β1. Conclusion rSjCP1412 protein may induce apoptosis of LX-2 cells and inhibit proliferation, cell cycle and activation of LX-2 cells through down-regulating Smad4 signaling molecules.

Complete chloroplast genome of Ligustrum lucidum and highly variable marker identification for Ligustrum / 中国中药杂志

Ligustri Lucidi Fructus, the sun-dried mature fruit of Ligustrum lucidum, is cool, plain, sweet, and bitter, which can be used as both food and medicine, with the effects of improving vision, blacking hair, and tonifying liver and kidney. It takes effect slowly. However, little is known about the genetic information of the medicinal plant and it is still a challenge to distinguish Ligustrum species. In this study, the complete chloroplast genome of L. lucidum was obtained by genome skimming and then compared with that of five other Ligustrum species, which had been reported. This study aims to evaluate the interspecific variation of chloroplast genome within the genus and develop molecular markers for species identification of the genus. The result showed that the chloroplast genome of L. lucidum was 162 162 bp with a circular quadripartite structure of two single-copy regions separated by a pair of inverted repeats. The Ligustrum chloroplast genomes were conserved with small interspecific difference. Comparative analysis of six Ligustrum chloroplast genomes revealed three variable regions(rbcL-accD, ycf1a, and ycf1b), and ycf1a and ycf1b can be used as the species-specific DNA barcode for Ligustrum. Phylogeny analysis provided the best resolution of Ligustrum and supported that L. lucidum was sister to L. gracile. This study clarified the genetic diversity of L. lucidum from provenance, which can serve as a reference for further analysis of pharmacological differences and breeding of excellent varieties with stable drug effects.

Outcomes of frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles of progestin-primed ovarian stimulation protocol compared with other three ovulation hyperstimulation protocols / 解剖学报

Objective To analyze the clinical outcomes of progestin primed ovarian stimulation (PPOS) compared with the other three different controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) protocols in fresh embryo transfer (ET) and frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles. Methods A total of 430 oocyte pick-up cycles and 272 FET cycles were retrospectively analyzed. Number of oocytes retrieved, laboratory indexes and pregnancy outcome of FET were compared. Results The mean oocytes retrieved (11.1±7.3), fertilization rate (85.6%), cleavage rate (95.1%) and excellent embryo rate (20.2%) as well as transplantable embryo rate (4. 5 ±3.1) of the PPOS group did not show significant differences compared with the other 3 subgroups (all P<0.05) in fresh cycle. As for pregnancy outcomes in FET cycles, no statistically significant differences were observed among the four groups in embryo implantation rate (26.2%), clinical pregnancy rate (63.0%) and abortion rate (11.8%) (all P<0.05). However, embryo implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate was higher in PPOS group compared with the other groups. Conclusion Compared with the other three ovulation stimulation programme, PPOS might be used as a new alternative for controlled ovulation stimulation protocols.

Electrophysiological Properties of Ion Channels in Ascaris suum Tissue Incorporated into Planar Lipid Bilayers

Ion channels are important targets of anthelmintic agents. In this study, we identified 3 types of ion channels in Ascaris suum tissue incorporated into planar lipid bilayers using an electrophysiological technique. The most frequent channel was a large-conductance cation channel (209 pS), which accounted for 64.5% of channels incorporated (n=60). Its open-state probability (Po) was ~0.3 in the voltage range of –60~+60 mV. A substate was observed at 55% of the main-state. The permeability ratio of Cl- to K+ (PCl/PK) was ~0.5 and PNa/PK was 0.81 in both states. Another type of cation channel was recorded in 7.5% of channels incorporated (n=7) and discriminated from the large-conductance cation channel by its smaller conductance (55.3 pS). Its Po was low at all voltages tested (~0.1). The third type was an anion channel recorded in 27.9% of channels incorporated (n=26). Its conductance was 39.0 pS and PCl/PK was 8.6±0.8. Po was ~1.0 at all tested potentials. In summary, we identified 2 types of cation and 1 type of anion channels in Ascaris suum. Gating of these channels did not much vary with voltage and their ionic selectivity is rather low. Their molecular nature, functions, and potentials as anthelmintic drug targets remain to be studied further.

Basic reproduction number of African swine fever in wild boars (Sus scrofa) and its spatiotemporal heterogeneity in South Korea

Background@#African swine fever (ASF) is a hemorrhagic fever occurring in wild boars (Sus scrofa) and domestic pigs. The epidemic situation of ASF in South Korean wild boars has increased the risk of ASF in domestic pig farms. Although basic reproduction number (R0) can be applied for control policies, it is challenging to estimate the R0 for ASF in wild boars due to surveillance bias, lack of wild boar population data, and the effect of ASF-positive wild boar carcass on disease dynamics. @*Objectives@#This study was undertaken to estimate the R0 of ASF in wild boars in South Korea, and subsequently analyze the spatiotemporal heterogeneity. @*Methods@#We detected the local transmission clusters using the spatiotemporal clustering algorithm, which was modified to incorporate the effect of ASF-positive wild boar carcass. With the assumption of exponential growth, R0 was estimated for each cluster. The temporal change of the estimates and its association with the habitat suitability of wild boar were analyzed. @*Results@#Totally, 22 local transmission clusters were detected, showing seasonal patterns occurring in winter and spring. Mean value of R0 of each cluster was 1.54. The estimates showed a temporal increasing trend and positive association with habitat suitability of wild boar. @*Conclusions@#The disease dynamics among wild boars seems to have worsened over time. Thus, in areas with a high elevation and suitable for wild boars, practical methods need to be contrived to ratify the control policies for wild boars.

Dexamethasone reduces infectious bursal disease mortality in chickens

Very virulent infectious bursal disease virus (vvIBDV) causes high mortality in chickens but measures to reduce the mortality have not been explored. Chickens (8–9 weeks) were treated with 3 agents before and during vvIBDV inoculation. Dexamethasone treatment reduced the mortality of infected chickens (40.7% vs. 3.7%; p < 0.001), but treatment with aspirin or vitamin E plus selenium did not affect the mortality. The bursa of Fabricius appeared to have shrunk in both dead and surviving chickens (p < 0.01). The results indicate that dexamethasone can reduce mortality in vvIBDV-infected chickens and may provide therapeutic clues for saving individual birds infected by the virus.

Electrophysiological Properties of Ion Channels in Ascaris suum Tissue Incorporated into Planar Lipid Bilayers

Ion channels are important targets of anthelmintic agents. In this study, we identified 3 types of ion channels in Ascaris suum tissue incorporated into planar lipid bilayers using an electrophysiological technique. The most frequent channel was a large-conductance cation channel (209 pS), which accounted for 64.5% of channels incorporated (n=60). Its open-state probability (Po) was ~0.3 in the voltage range of –60~+60 mV. A substate was observed at 55% of the main-state. The permeability ratio of Cl- to K+ (PCl/PK) was ~0.5 and PNa/PK was 0.81 in both states. Another type of cation channel was recorded in 7.5% of channels incorporated (n=7) and discriminated from the large-conductance cation channel by its smaller conductance (55.3 pS). Its Po was low at all voltages tested (~0.1). The third type was an anion channel recorded in 27.9% of channels incorporated (n=26). Its conductance was 39.0 pS and PCl/PK was 8.6±0.8. Po was ~1.0 at all tested potentials. In summary, we identified 2 types of cation and 1 type of anion channels in Ascaris suum. Gating of these channels did not much vary with voltage and their ionic selectivity is rather low. Their molecular nature, functions, and potentials as anthelmintic drug targets remain to be studied further.

Basic reproduction number of African swine fever in wild boars (Sus scrofa) and its spatiotemporal heterogeneity in South Korea

Background@#African swine fever (ASF) is a hemorrhagic fever occurring in wild boars (Sus scrofa) and domestic pigs. The epidemic situation of ASF in South Korean wild boars has increased the risk of ASF in domestic pig farms. Although basic reproduction number (R0) can be applied for control policies, it is challenging to estimate the R0 for ASF in wild boars due to surveillance bias, lack of wild boar population data, and the effect of ASF-positive wild boar carcass on disease dynamics. @*Objectives@#This study was undertaken to estimate the R0 of ASF in wild boars in South Korea, and subsequently analyze the spatiotemporal heterogeneity. @*Methods@#We detected the local transmission clusters using the spatiotemporal clustering algorithm, which was modified to incorporate the effect of ASF-positive wild boar carcass. With the assumption of exponential growth, R0 was estimated for each cluster. The temporal change of the estimates and its association with the habitat suitability of wild boar were analyzed. @*Results@#Totally, 22 local transmission clusters were detected, showing seasonal patterns occurring in winter and spring. Mean value of R0 of each cluster was 1.54. The estimates showed a temporal increasing trend and positive association with habitat suitability of wild boar. @*Conclusions@#The disease dynamics among wild boars seems to have worsened over time. Thus, in areas with a high elevation and suitable for wild boars, practical methods need to be contrived to ratify the control policies for wild boars.

Dexamethasone reduces infectious bursal disease mortality in chickens

Very virulent infectious bursal disease virus (vvIBDV) causes high mortality in chickens but measures to reduce the mortality have not been explored. Chickens (8–9 weeks) were treated with 3 agents before and during vvIBDV inoculation. Dexamethasone treatment reduced the mortality of infected chickens (40.7% vs. 3.7%; p < 0.001), but treatment with aspirin or vitamin E plus selenium did not affect the mortality. The bursa of Fabricius appeared to have shrunk in both dead and surviving chickens (p < 0.01). The results indicate that dexamethasone can reduce mortality in vvIBDV-infected chickens and may provide therapeutic clues for saving individual birds infected by the virus.

2020 Changes to the Journal of Veterinary Science

No abstract available.

Roles of transforming growth factor - β1 and heat shock protein 47 in progression of Schistosoma japonicum-induced hepatic fibrosis / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the dynamic expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and heat shock protein 47 (HSP47) and explore their roles in the progression of hepatic fibrosis induced by Schistosoma japonicum infection. Methods Fifty female mice of the ICR strain were randomly divided into the infection group and the normal control group, of 25 mice in each group. Each mouse in the infection group was infected with 20 ± 1 cercariae of S. japonicum via the abdominal skin, while uninfected animals served as normal control. Five mice were sacrificed 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks post-infection and liver tissues were sampled. Serum HSP47 and TGF-β1 was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the pathological changes of liver specimens were observed with hematoxylin & eosin (HE) staining. In addition, the synthesis of alpha 1 chain of type I collagen (COL1A1) was measured using Masson staining, and the mRNA expression of TGF-β1, HSP47 and COL1A1 was determined using real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay. Results During the period of S. japonicum-induced hepatic fibrosis, the serum HSP47 and TGF-β1 levels and the mRNA expression of TGF - β1, HSP47 and COL1A1 gradually increased with the progression of hepatic fibrosis. The serum levels of HSP47 and TGF-β1 were (179.26 ± 29.87) pg/mL and (22.37 ± 5.21) ng/mL 6 weeks post-infection, respectively, which were significantly greater than those [(150.29 ± 34.91) pg/mL and (18.54 ± 7.78) ng/mL, respectively] in the normal control group (both P values < 0.05). In addition, the mRNA expression of HSP47, COL1A1 and TGF-β1 was (0.86 ± 0.04), (1.17 ± 0.06) and (0.64 ± 0.13) in mouse liver specimens, which was significantly higher than that (0.23 ± 0.03, 0.20 ± 0.02 and 0.38 ± 0.02) in the normal control group (all P values < 0.01). Conclusions The expression of TGF-β1 and HSP47 during the period of S. japonicum-induced hepatic fibrosis is consistent with the progression of the hepatic fibrosis, and exhibits the same tendency with type I collagen expression. HSP47 is a novel promising diagnosis marker and therapeutic target for S. japonicum-induced hepatic fibrosis.

Roles of transforming growth factor - β1 and heat shock protein 47 in progression of Schistosoma japonicum-induced hepatic fibrosis / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the dynamic expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and heat shock protein 47 (HSP47) and explore their roles in the progression of hepatic fibrosis induced by Schistosoma japonicum infection. Methods Fifty female mice of the ICR strain were randomly divided into the infection group and the normal control group, of 25 mice in each group. Each mouse in the infection group was infected with 20 ± 1 cercariae of S. japonicum via the abdominal skin, while uninfected animals served as normal control. Five mice were sacrificed 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks post-infection and liver tissues were sampled. Serum HSP47 and TGF-β1 was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the pathological changes of liver specimens were observed with hematoxylin & eosin (HE) staining. In addition, the synthesis of alpha 1 chain of type I collagen (COL1A1) was measured using Masson staining, and the mRNA expression of TGF-β1, HSP47 and COL1A1 was determined using real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay. Results During the period of S. japonicum-induced hepatic fibrosis, the serum HSP47 and TGF-β1 levels and the mRNA expression of TGF - β1, HSP47 and COL1A1 gradually increased with the progression of hepatic fibrosis. The serum levels of HSP47 and TGF-β1 were (179.26 ± 29.87) pg/mL and (22.37 ± 5.21) ng/mL 6 weeks post-infection, respectively, which were significantly greater than those [(150.29 ± 34.91) pg/mL and (18.54 ± 7.78) ng/mL, respectively] in the normal control group (both P values < 0.05). In addition, the mRNA expression of HSP47, COL1A1 and TGF-β1 was (0.86 ± 0.04), (1.17 ± 0.06) and (0.64 ± 0.13) in mouse liver specimens, which was significantly higher than that (0.23 ± 0.03, 0.20 ± 0.02 and 0.38 ± 0.02) in the normal control group (all P values < 0.01). Conclusions The expression of TGF-β1 and HSP47 during the period of S. japonicum-induced hepatic fibrosis is consistent with the progression of the hepatic fibrosis, and exhibits the same tendency with type I collagen expression. HSP47 is a novel promising diagnosis marker and therapeutic target for S. japonicum-induced hepatic fibrosis.

2019 Changes to the Journal of Veterinary Science

No abstract available.

Comparison of electrophysiological properties of two types of pre-sympathetic neurons intermingled in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus

The hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) contains two types of neurons projecting to either the rostral ventrolateral medulla (PVN(RVLM)) or the intermediolateral horn (IML) of the spinal cord (PVN(IML)). These two neuron groups are intermingled in the same subdivisions of the PVN and differentially regulate sympathetic outflow. However, electrophysiological evidence supporting such functional differences is largely lacking. Herein, we compared the electrophysiological properties of these neurons by using patch-clamp and retrograde-tracing techniques. Most neurons (>70%) in both groups spontaneously fired in the cell-attached mode. When compared to the PVN(IML) neurons, the PVN(RVLM) neurons had a lower firing rate and a more irregular firing pattern (p < 0.05). The PVN(RVLM) neurons showed smaller resting membrane potential, slower rise and decay times, and greater duration of spontaneous action potentials (p < 0.05). The PVN(RVLM) neurons received greater inhibitory synaptic inputs (frequency, p < 0.05) with a shorter rise time (p < 0.05). Taken together, the results indicate that the two pre-sympathetic neurons differ in their intrinsic and extrinsic electrophysiological properties, which may explain the lower firing activity of the PVN(RVLM) neurons. The greater inhibitory synaptic inputs to the PVN(RVLM) neurons also imply that these neurons have more integrative roles in regulation of sympathetic activity.

Korean red ginseng excitation of paraventricular nucleus neurons via non-N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamate receptor activation in mice

It has been reported that Korean red ginseng (KRG), a valuable and important traditional medicine, has varied effects on the central nervous system, suggesting its activities are complicated. The paraventricular nucleus (PVN) neurons of the hypothalamus has a critical role in stress responses and hormone secretions. Although the action mechanisms of KRG on various cells and systems have been reported, the direct membrane effects of KRG on PVN neurons have not been fully described. In this study, the direct membrane effects of KRG on PVN neuronal activity were investigated by using a perforated patch-clamp in ICR mice. In gramicidin perforated patch-clamp mode, KRG extract (KRGE) induced repeatable depolarization followed by hyperpolarization of PVN neurons. The KRGE-induced responses were concentration-dependent and persisted in the presence of tetrodotoxin, a voltage sensitive Na+ channel blocker. The KRGE-induced responses were suppressed by 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (10 µM), a non-N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor antagonist, but not by picrotoxin, a type A gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor antagonist. The results indicate that KRG activates non-NMDA glutamate receptors of PVN neurons in mice, suggesting that KRG may be a candidate for use in regulation of stress responses by controlling autonomic nervous system and hormone secretion.

2018 Changes in the Journal

No abstract available.

Preface

No abstract available.

Low Non-NMDA Receptor Current Density as Possible Protection Mechanism from Neurotoxicity of Circulating Glutamate on Subfornical Organ Neurons in Rats

The subfornical organ (SFO) is one of circumventricular organs characterized by the lack of a normal blood brain barrier. The SFO neurons are exposed to circulating glutamate (60~100 microM), which may cause excitotoxicity in the central nervous system. However, it remains unclear how SFO neurons are protected from excitotoxicity caused by circulating glutamate. In this study, we compared the glutamate-induced whole cell currents in SFO neurons to those in hippocampal CA1 neurons using the patch clamp technique in brain slice. Glutamate (100 microM) induced an inward current in both SFO and hippocampal CA1 neurons. The density of glutamate-induced current in SFO neurons was significantly smaller than that in hippocampal CA1 neurons (0.55 vs. 2.07 pA/pF, p0.05). These results demonstrate that glutamate-mediated action through non-NMDA glutamate receptors in SFO neurons is smaller than that of hippocampal CA1 neurons, suggesting a possible protection mechanism from excitotoxicity by circulating glutamate in SFO neurons.