Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Tanichthys albiventris and phylogenetic analysis.

In this study, we sequenced, annotated, and characterized the mitogenome of Tanichthys albiventris for the first time. The complete mitogenome is 16,544 bp in length, consisting of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes, and two ribosomal RNA genes. We found nine genetic overlaps and 17 intergenic spacer regions throughout the mitogenome of T. albiventris. The A + T content of the mitogenome is 60.93%. All PCGs have the same start codon of the standard ATG, excepting for that of cytochrome c oxidase 1 (cox1) which is the GTG. A phylogenetic analysis with another 15 species of the Cyprinidae was performed using MrBayes and IQtree, based on the amino acid sequences of 13 mitochondrial PCGs. The results indicated that T. albiventris shares a close ancestry with Tanichthys albonubes.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Tanichthys flavianalis (Cypriniformes: Tanichthyidae) and its phylogeny.

In the present study, we have sequenced, annotated and characterized the complete mitogenome of Tanichthys flavianalis Li, Liao & Shen, 2022, which is an endemic minnow to Hainan Province, China. The entire mitogenome size is 16,545 bp, containing 37 genes coding for 13 mitochondrial proteins, 22 tRNAs, 2 rRNAs, and one putative control region. It has the typical fish mitochondrial gene arrangement, though with 9 gene overlaps and 17 intergenic spacers scattering throughout the mitogenome, and a high A + T bias (60.8%) comparing to other Cyprinids. ATG is used as the start codon in most mitochondrial protein coding genes (PCGs) except for cox1 which uses GTG, whereas the canonical TAA/TAG are prevailing stop codons except for cox2, cox3, nad4 and cytb. Phylogenetic analyses with other reported species from Tanichyidae were conducted using IQ-TREE and MrBayes, based on the concatenated 13 PCGs. The results clustered T. flavinalis with the newly described T. albiventris Li Bohlen & Liao, 2022, and proved the reciprocally monophyletic relationship between Chinese and Vietnamese Tanichthys.

Estimating the velocity of chemically-driven Janus colloids considering the anisotropic concentration field.

The application of the active colloids is strongly related to their self-propulsion velocity, which is controlled by the generated anisotropic concentration field. We investigated the effect of this anisotropy on velocity induced by numerical treatments and size of Janus colloids. The far-field approximation is effective in estimating the velocity, even though it neglects the shape effect on the anisotropy of the concentration field. If the surface mobility contrast between the active and the inert part is moderate, the spherical approximation is feasible for sphere-like Janus colloids. Legendre expansion of the concentration field causes artificial anisotropy. Raising the order of the expansion can suppress this effect, but also distorts the concentration field at the top of active part. Thus, the order of the expansion should be chosen carefully depending on the goal of the study. Based on the verified Legendre expansion method and ionic-diffusiophoresis model, we show that due to the size-effect on both the concentration field and the surface mobility, increasing size of colloids can lower the self-propulsion velocity. Our finding is consistent with previous experimental observations without fitting parameter, shedding new light on the self-propulsion mechanism of chemically-driven active colloids. We further show a velocity reversal at high overall ζ potential induced by increasing size, providing a new way for controlling the dynamics of acitve colloids.

Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Coilia brachygnathus (Clupeiformes, Engraulidae) from Huai River and its phylogenetic position.

The complete mitogenome sequence of Coilia brachygnathus (Kreyenberg & Pappenheim, 1908) from Wabu Lake in Huai River Basin was annotated and characterized in this study. This mitochondrial genome is a circular DNA molecule of 16.896 bp in size with 57.52% AT content, including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), and an AT-rich region (control region) as other bony fishes. There are a total of 10 overlap locations and 15 intergenic spacer regions throughout the mitogenome of C. brachygnathus. All PCGs employed a standard ATG as a start codon, except cytochrome c oxidase 1 (cox1) with GTG. In addition, TAA or TAG was identified as the typical stop codon. A phylogenetic tree reconstructed with the maximum likelihood method depicted a clone relationship with eight species of genus Coilia and our previous study based on the amino acid sequences of 13 mitochondrial PCGs. The complete mitochondrial genome is a valuable resource in classifying and conserving C. brachygnathus.

Effect of pathogenic bacteria on a novel C-type lectin, hemocyte and superoxide dismutase/ alkaline phosphatase activity in Onchidium reevesii.

Bacterial infection in the marine environment is a serious problem to maintain the stability of marine ecosystems. Nevertheless, there is little report so far for the biological effects of pathogenic bacteria in coastal ecosystems. Hence, we investigated the responses of shell-less Onchidium reevesii to resist against pathogenic bacterial infection. Analysis of data here could be used as fundamental information for assessment of innate immune response of O. reevesii. The full-length OrCTL cDNA was cloned and consists of 1849 base pair (bp) encoding protein of 192 amino acids. Constructing multiple alignments suggested that OrCTL has conserved carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) of CTLs, containing an EPS (Glu-Pro-Ser) motif that may imply the function of recognition of carbohydrates like others invertebrate. OrCTL mRNAs were mainly detected in ganglion and hepatopancreas, and expression was highly up-regulated from 2 h after Vibrio harveyi challenge, rapidly decreased at 4 h, and significantly increased at 12 h. In addition, after challenge with Vibrio parahaemolytics, OrCTL gene expression was slightly up-regulated from 2 h, peaked at 12 h. Enzyme activity (in the hepatopancreas) and cell immune (in the hemolymph) were investigated along with Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and cell cycle. SOD activities were significantly higher after V. harveyi and V. parahaemolytics challenge than that in the control group, respectively. By contrast, ALP activities were significantly inhibited after challenged with bacteria than that in the control group, respectively. Enzyme activities in the hepatopancreas obviously fluctuated, and ALP activity was more sensitive to bacteria. Cell responses illustrated that there were a significant higher percentage of cells in the S and G2/M phase in hemolymph after challenged with bacteria. Our results suggested that the immune response of O. reevesii could be activated by pathogenic bacteria, and the data will provide referent for the disease prevention of systematic investigation in aquatic animal.

Metallothionein, hemocyte status and superoxide dismutase/aspartate aminotransferase activity are sensitive biomarkers of cadmium stress in Onchidium reevesii.

Metal pollution in the environment is a serious threat to the biological sustainability of coastal ecosystems. However, our current understanding of the biological effects of metals in these ecosystems is limited. Herein, we investigated the responses of the sea slug Onchidium reevesii to persistent sublethal Cd environmental stress. Dynamic expression was analyzed using various biomarkers. The full-length cDNA of O. reevesii metallothionein (MT) was cloned and consists of 1639 nucleotides encoding a 65 amino acid polypeptide. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Or-MT has conserved Cys residues typical of MTs, including a typical Cys-X-Cys motif, implying that it can function the same as the MT of other shellfish. Expression of Or-MT in response to Cd varied in different tissues, and was highest in gastropod tissues. Thus, regiotemporal expression of MT may be useful for assessing pollution in coastal areas. Cellular immunity (in the hemolymph) and enzyme activity (in the hepatopancreas) were investigated along with hemocyte viability, hemocyte phagocytosis, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities. Hemocyte viability was elevated under continuous Cd exposure but hemocyte phagocytosis was decreased. SOD and AST activities in the hepatopancreas fluctuated considerably, and SOD activity was more sensitive. SOD activity was lowest at 4 h and highest at 12 h, while AST activity peaked at 2 h and was lowest at 48 h. Thus, changes in enzyme activity may reveal adaptation to stress. Furthermore, the response patterns of certain enzymes, cellular immunity, and MT expression in O. reevesii could serve as biomarkers of Cd pollution in aquatic environments.

Effect of Circadian Clock and Light-Dark Cycles in Onchidium reevesii: Possible Implications for Long-Term Memory.

The sea slug Onchidium reevesii inhabits the intertidal zone, which is characterized by a changeable environment. Although the circadian modulation of long-term memory (LTM) is well documented, the interaction of the circadian clock with light-dark masking in LTM of intertidal animals is not well understood. We characterized the LTM of Onchidium and tested the expression levels of related genes under a light-dark (LD) cycle and constant darkness (i.e., dark-dark, or DD) cycle. Results indicated that both learning behavior and LTM show differences between circadian time (CT) 10 and zeitgeber time (ZT) 10. In LD, the cry1 gene expressed irregularly, and per2 expression displayed a daily pattern and a peak expression level at ZT 18. OnCREB1 (only in LD conditions) and per2 transcripts cycled in phase with each other. In DD, the cry1 gene had its peak expression at CT 10, and per2 expressed its peak level at CT 18. OnCREB1 had two peak expression levels at ZT 10 or ZT 18 which correspond to the time node of peaks in cry1 and per2, respectively. The obtained results provide an LTM pattern that is different from other model species of the intertidal zone. We conclude that the daily transcriptional oscillations of Onchidium for LTM were affected by circadian rhythms and LD cycle masking.

The Complete Mitochondrial Genome Sequences of the Philomycus bilineatus (Stylommatophora: Philomycidae) and Phylogenetic Analysis.

The mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) can provide information for phylogenetic analyses and evolutionary biology. We first sequenced, annotated, and characterized the mitogenome of Philomycus bilineatus in this study. The complete mitogenome was 14,347 bp in length, containing 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 23 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and two non-coding regions (A + T-rich region). There were 15 overlap locations and 18 intergenic spacer regions found throughout the mitogenome of P. bilineatus. The A + T content in the mitogenome was 72.11%. All PCGs used a standard ATN as a start codon, with the exception of cytochrome c oxidase 1 (cox1) and ATP synthase F0 subunit 8 (atp8) with TTG and GTG. Additionally, TAA or TAG was identified as the typical stop codon. All transfer RNA (tRNA) genes had a typical clover-leaf structure, except for trnS1 (AGC), trnS2 (TCA), and trnK (TTT). A phylogenetic analysis with another 37 species of gastropods was performed using Bayesian inference, based on the amino acid sequences of 13 mitochondrial PCGs. The results indicated that P. bilineatus shares a close ancestry with Meghimatium bilineatum. It seems more appropriate to reclassify it as Arionoidea rather than Limacoidea, as previously thought. Our research may provide a new meaningful insight into the evolution of P. bilineatus.

A comprehensive comparison of four species of Onchidiidae provides insights on the morphological and molecular adaptations of invertebrates from shallow seas to wetlands.

The Onchidiidae family is ideal for studying the evolution of marine invertebrate species from sea to wetland environments. However, comparative studies of Onchidiidae species are rare. A total of 40 samples were collected from four species (10 specimens per onchidiid), and their histological and molecular differences were systematically evaluated to elucidate the morphological foundations underlying the adaptations of these species. A histological analysis was performed to compare the structures of respiratory organs (gill, lung sac, dorsal skin) among onchidiids, and transcriptome sequencing of four representative onchidiids was performed to investigate the molecular mechanisms associated with their respective habitats. Twenty-six SNP markers of Onchidium reevesii revealed some DNA polymorphisms determining visible traits. Non-muscle myosin heavy chain II (NMHC II) and myosin heavy chain (MyHC), which play essential roles in amphibian developmental processes, were found to be differentially expressed in different onchidiids and tissues. The species with higher terrestrial ability and increased integrated expression of Os-MHC (NMHC II gene) and the MyHC gene, illustrating that the expression levels of these genes were associated with the evolutionary degree. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the adaptions of a diverse and widespread group of invertebrates, the Onchidiidae. Some onchidiids can breathe well through gills and skin when under seawater, and some can breathe well through lung sacs and skin when in wetlands. A histological comparison of respiratory organs and the relative expression levels of two genes provided insights into the adaptions of onchidiids that allowed their transition from shallow seas to wetlands. This work provides a valuable reference and might encourage further study.

THE USE OF RHEUM PALMATUM L. IN THE TREATMENT OF ACUTE RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME: A META-ANALYSIS OF RANDOMIZED, CONTROLLED TRIALS.

BACKGROUND: Chinese medicine theory shows that "lung being connected with large intestine", and the modern western medicine also shows that the lung and intestinal tract affect each other in physiological and pathological conditions. If the lung ventilation dysfunction is caused by inflammatory exudate or secretions obstruction of the small airway ventilation, blood gas partial pressure is increased and intestinal gas absorption difficulty may lead to intestinal inflation and dysfunction (Wang N et al., 2011). Rheum palmatum L. can play the roles of anti-coagulation and anti-thrombosis, and improve microcirculation through lowering the endotoxin-induced permeability of microvascular tissue, reducing tissue oedema, decreasing inflammatory exudation and necrosis, and enhancing cyto-protection mechanism (Yang TZ et al., 2014). Therefore, systemic evaluation of the evidence pertaining to the usage of Rheum palmatum L. in treating acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has significant clinical significance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Various Electronic Databases CBM, CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, PubMed and Cochrane Library were searched until December 2015. Numerous randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy of Rheum palmatum L. for the treatment of acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome were collected. The quality of the included studies was evaluated and a meta-analysis was performed using the RevMan5.0 software. RESULTS: Eight RCTs involving 489 patients were selected for this review. The results of the Meta-analysis revealed that Rheum palmatum L. therapy, combined with routine comprehensive treatment, was significantly superior to that of routine comprehensive treatment alone, in the areas of decreasing mortality, the mechanical ventilation time, the level of interleukin-6,8 and the untoward effect, and also in improving arterial blood gas (PaO2/FiO2, PaO2) (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Compared with treatment with routine comprehensive alone, Rheum palmatum L. treatment combined with routine comprehensive, has been shown to effectively decrease the mortality, mechanical ventilation time and ameliorate the arterial blood gas, the cytokine levels, and the untoward effect. However, the evidence appears not to be very compelling due to the poor quality of the original studies.

Preparation of Nickel Cobalt Sulfide Hollow Nanocolloids with Enhanced Electrochemical Property for Supercapacitors Application.

Nanostructured functional materials with hollow interiors are considered to be good candidates for a variety of advanced applications. However, synthesis of uniform hollow nanocolloids with porous texture via wet chemistry method is still challenging. In this work, nickel cobalt precursors (NCP) in sub-micron sized spheres have been synthesized by a facile solvothermal method. The subsequent sulfurization process in hydrothermal system has changed the NCP to nickel cobalt sulfide (NCS) with porous texture. Importantly, the hollow interiors can be tuned through the sulfurization process by employing different dosage of sulfur source. The derived NCS products have been fabricated into supercapacitor electrodes and their electrochemical performances are measured and compared, where promising results were found for the next-generation high-performance electrochemical capacitors.

In situ mineralization of anticancer drug into calcium carbonate monodisperse nanospheres and their pH-responsive release property.

In this paper, we facilitated the preparation of uniform calcium carbonate nanospheres and the encapsulation of anticancer drug (Doxorubicin, Dox) in one step by a facile bio-inspired mineralization method at room temperature. Hesperidin (Hesp), a natural originated flavanone glycoside, was introduced as crystallization modifier. The obtained Dox encapsulated CaCO3 nanospheres (Dox@CaCO3-Hesp NSs) having a narrow size range of ~200 nm. The drug loading/release studies reveal that these Dox@CaCO3-Hesp NSs have a drug loading efficiency (DLE) of 83% and drug loading content (DLC) of 14wt%. Besides, the release of Dox from Dox@CaCO3-Hesp NSs was pH depended. At pH=7.4, only a small amount (~28%) of Dox was released. While at pH=5.0, all amount of incorporated Dox was released. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) image reveals the Dox@CaCO3-Hesp NSs can internalize the cells. These results suggest the Dox@CaCO3-Hesp NSs can be potentially used to utilize pH-responsive delivery of anticancer drugs.

Complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Pleurobranchaea novaezealandiae and Pleurobranchaea sp.

The complete mitochondrial genome sequences of Pleurobranchaea novaezealandiae and Pleurobranchaea sp. are first described and analyzed in this study. It is 14,531 bp and 14,709 bp in length, respectively. The base composition of the genome with A + T bias are 66.41% and 68.36%. There are 29 noncoding regions found throughout the mitogenome of P. novaezealandiae and 30 noncoding in Pleurobranchaea sp., ranging in size from 2 to 294 bp. The phylogenetic tree based on 10 mitogenome, including 1 prosobranchia, 6 opisthobranchia and 3 pulmonata was analyzed in the paper. The results showed that the opisthobranchia and pulmonata were clustered respectively, and the P. novaezealandiae and Pleurobranchaea sp. were the closest to the Aplysia californica in our analysis.

[Protection and Mechanism of Qingyuan Shenghua Decoction on Multiple Organs of Sepsis Patients after Bone Trauma].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the protection of Qingyuan Shenghua Decoction (QSD) on multiple organs of sepsis patients after bone trauma, and to preliminarily explore its mechanism. METHODS: Totally 60 sepsis patients after bone trauma were randomly assigned to the treatment group and the control group according to random digit table, 30 in each group. All patients received routine Western medical treatment. Patients in the treatment group additionally took QSD or were nasally fed with QSD, one dose per day for 1 week. Changes of WBC, oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2), serum creatinine (SCr), total bilirubin (TBIL), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), fibrinogen (FIB), D-dimer (DD), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), pro-calcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), intra-abdominal pressure, scores for Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II), sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores were observed before treatment and on day 1, 3 and 7 after treatment. RESULTS: Compared with the control group at the same time point, MAP increased at post-treatment day 1 and 3; CRP, APTT, HR, SCr, TBIL, AST, intra-abdominal pressure at post-treatment day 3 obviously decreased in the treatment group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). WBC, SOFA scores, PCT, CRP, APACHE II, APTT, D-D, HR, SCr, TBIL, AST and intra-abdominal pressure significantly decreased; FIB, MAP and PaO2/FiO2 obviously increased at post-treatment day 7 (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: QSD had good protective effect on multiple organ function in sepsis patients after bone trauma, and its mechanism might be related with effectively clearing endotoxin, alleviating inflammatory reactions, and fighting against coagulation dysfunction.

[Effect of Tongfu Jinghua Decoction on hemodynamics and tissue oxygen metabolism in patients with post-traumatic sepsis shock].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of Tongfu Jinghua Decoction (TJD) on hemodynamics and tissue oxygen metabolism in patients with post-traumatic sepsis shock. METHODS: Totally 60 patients were randomly assigned to the treatment group and the control group, 30 in each group. Patients in the treatment group took TJD or were administered with TJD by nasal feeding in combined with conventional Western medical treatment, while patients in the control group only received conventional Western medical treatment. Changes of each index in hemodynamics and tissue oxygen metabolism were observed before treatment, and at 6, 12, 24, and 48 h after treatment. RESULTS: Compared with before treatment in the same group, hemodynamic changes were significantly improved at each time point in the two groups. All indices of tissue oxygen metabolism at each time point of the two groups were significantly improved, except changes of O2 extraction ratio (ER) after treatment in the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the control group in the same period, heart rate (HR), systemic vascular resist- ance (SVR), and cardiac output (CO) were significantly improved with statistical difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Mean arterial pressure (MAP), central venous pressure (CVP), and cardiac index (CI) were significantly improved at 6, 12, and 24 h after treatment with statistical difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Each index of tissue oxygen metabolism in the treatment group were all improved at each time point with statistical difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: TJD combined with conventional Western medical treatment could quickly improve hemodynamics and tissue oxygen metabolism disorder in patients with septic shock, and its curative effect was superior to that of conventional Western medical treatment alone.