White hyacinth bean polysaccharide ameliorates diabetes via microbiota-gut-brain axis in type 2 diabetes mellitus rats.

Gut played a potent role in onset and progression of metabolic disorders, presenting an exciting direction for diabetes prevention. Here, the anti-diabetic effects of White hyacinth bean polysaccharides (WHBP) were observed, including the reduction of blood glucose levels and improvement of intestinal impairment in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats. Further data concerning intestinal protection suggested that WHBP restored intestinal barrier, as evidenced by inhibition of intestinal pathological damage, up-regulation of Zonula occluden-1 expression and manipulation of the redox system in T2DM rats. Moreover, WHBP-mediated anti-diabetic effects were in parallel with the adjustment of changes in gut microbiota composition of T2DM rats. Meanwhile, hypersecretion of corticotropin-releasing hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and corticosterone levels, which were critical coordinators of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, were suppressed in T2DM rats exposed to WHBP, indicating that WHBP-mediated health benefits were referring to regulate brain feedback in reduction of HPA axis. Concomitantly, further suggested and expanded on gut-brain communication by data of microbial metabolites short-chain fatty acids, mediators of gut-brain interactions, were remarkably raised in cecum contents of T2DM rats subjected to WHBP. Collectively, WHBP performed anti-diabetic effects were associated with control of microbiota-gut-brain axis implicated in intestinal barrier, HPA axis, gut microbiota and their metabolites.

Dopamine receptor agonists mechanism of actions on glucose lowering and their connections with prolactin actions.

Robust experiment evidence suggests that prolactin can enhance beta-cell proliferation and increase insulin secretion and sensitivity. Apart from acting as an endocrine hormone, it also function as an adipokine and act on adipocytes to modulate adipogenesis, lipid metabolism and inflammation. Several cross-sectional epidemiologic studies consistently showed that circulating prolactin levels positive correlated with increased insulin sensitivity, lower glucose and lipid levels, and lower prevalence of T2D and metabolic syndrome. Bromocriptine, a dopamine receptor agonist used to treat prolactinoma, is approved by Food and Drug Administration for treatment in type 2 diabetes mellitus since 2009. Prolactin lowering suppress insulin secretion and decrease insulin sensitivity, therefore dopamine receptor agonists which act at the pituitary to lower serum prolactin levels are expected to impair glucose tolerance. Making it more complicating, studies exploring the glucose-lowering mechanism of bromocriptine and cabergoline have resulted in contradictory results; while some demonstrated actions independently on prolactin status, others showed glucose lowering partly explained by prolactin level. Previous studies showed that a moderate increase in central intraventricular prolactin levels stimulates hypothalamic dopamine with a decreased serum prolactin level and improved glucose metabolism. Additionally, sharp wave-ripples from the hippocampus modulates peripheral glucose level within 10 minutes, providing evidence for a mechanistic link between hypothalamus and blood glucose control. Central insulin in the mesolimbic system have been shown to suppress dopamine levels thus comprising a feedback control loop. Central dopamine and prolactin levels plays a key role in the glucose homeostasis control, and their dysregulation could lead to the pathognomonic central insulin resistance depicted in the "ominous octet". This review aims to provide an in-depth discussion on the glucose-lowering mechanism of dopamine receptor agonists and on the diverse prolactin and dopamine actions on metabolism targets.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate alleviates galactose-induced aging impairment via gut-brain communication.

The study aimed to determine whether gut-brain communication could be modulated by epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) in a mouse aging model that was established by daily injection of D-galactose (D-gal) for 10 weeks. Our results showed that EGCG could improve aging-associated changes by increasing the immune organ indexes, brain index, and learning and memory ability in vivo. EGCG-triggered aging prevention was associated with the reduction of lipid peroxidation and elevation of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant activities in the brain. Concomitantly, treatment of D-gal-induced aging in mice with EGCG significantly reduced corticotropin-releasing hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and corticosterone, suggesting that EGCG-exerted protection of the aging brain was involved in the inhibition of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Further data concerning intestinal function showed that EGCG could enhance fecal moisture in vitro and reduce the pH value of feces in aging mice when compared to the D-gal group, suggesting that EGCG played beneficial roles in the intestine of aging mice. Moreover, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), the mediators of gut-brain communication, were significantly increased in the intestinal contents of aging mice by treatment with EGCG. Therefore, the tea polyphenol EGCG showing anti-aging properties was demonstrated to be implicated in modulating gut-brain communication by attenuating the HPA axis and enhancing the content of SCFAs.

[Changes of growth and yield characters of five varieties (lines) of tea-applied chrysanthemum under different planting dates and pinching patterns]. / 不同定植期和摘心方案下5个品种(系)茶用菊生长和产量性状的变化.

To identify the high yield planting date and pinching pattern, we compared the yields of five new varieties (lines) of tea-applied chrysanthemum, the ‘Suju 10’, ‘Suju 12’, ‘Suju 13’, ‘CH1-44’ and ‘CH5-13’. A field experiment with split-split plot design was carried out. The main plot treatments including three (early, middle and late) planting dates, split-plot treatments including 5 new varieties (lines), and split-split-plot treatments including four different kinds of pinching schemes. The results showed that the yield of ‘CH5-13’ and ‘Suju 13’ was relatively higher among the five varieties (lines), followed by ‘CH1-44’ and ‘Suju10’, and ‘Suju 12’ showed the lowest yield. Among the five varieties (lines), planting date on May 27th and two-time pinching treatments showed the highest values of plant height, crown width, flower number, flower diameter, fresh mass, yield per plant and yield per unit area. Compared with the planting date on May 7th and June 13th, the above indexes increased by 16.0% and 19.0%, 18.0% and 22.8%, 36.7% and 42.2%, 11.1% and 2.3%, 13.0% and 4.0%, 47.8% and 36.6%, 48.5% and 36.7%, respectively. With the pinching time postponed, plant height decreased. Compared with the no pinching treatment, plant height of the two-time pinching treatment decreased by 50.2%, and values of crown width, flowers number, the flower fresh mass, the yield per plant and the yield per unit area were highest, with increases of 17.0%, 29.1%, 5.5%, 34.0% and 34.8%, respectively. The impact performance of three main factors on the growth and yield of the tea-applied chrysanthemum was in order of planting date>varieties>pinching time.

Cultural influences on the developing semantic lexicon.

To determine whether the developing semantic lexicon varies with culture, we examined the animal and food naming of children from three communities distinguished by language, cultural heritage, and population density. The children were five- and seven-year-olds from Australia (n = 197), Taiwan (n = 456), and the US (n = 172). Naming patterns revealed hierarchical and flexible organization of the semantic lexicon. The content of the lexicon, particularly food names, varied with cultural heritage. In all three communities, wild mammals were predominant during animal naming, a likely influence of children's media. The influence of the Chinese zodiac was evident in the clustering of animal names in the Taiwanese sample. There was no apparent influence of population density and little influence of language, except that the Taiwanese children more frequently named foods at the superordinate level, a possible influence of the structure of Mandarin. Children develop their lexicons in response to culture as experienced first-hand or through media.

[Effects of bio-organic fertilizer and fungicide application on continuous cropping obstacles of cut chrysanthemum].

Abstract: Fusarium wilt is a soil borne disease caused by plant continuous cropping in monoculture Chrysanthemum morifolium 'Youxiang' monoculture not only declines plant quality and yield but also decreases soil enzymes and soil microbial diversity over successive cultivation. In this article, the effects of fungicide (Carbendazim MBC), antifungal enhanced bio-organic fertilizer (BOF), and their combined application on the quality and soil enzymes activities of Chrysanthemum morifolium 'Youxiang' in continuous cropping systems were investigated. The results showed that both bioorganic fertilizer (BOF) and fungicide (MBC) single application could effectively prevent the occurrence of Fusarium wilt disease of cut chrysanthemum. Bio-organic fertilizer application was more effective on root activity, soil enzymes activities and quality (shoot height, stem diameter, leaf SPAD value, ray floret number, shoot fresh mass) improvement of cut chrysanthemum, while fungicide single application was responsible for soil enzymatic activities suppression to some extent. The combined application treatment (MBC+BOF) showed the best effects on quality improvement and soil enzyme activities promotion.

Morphological, physiological, and structural responses of two species of artemisia to NaCl stress.

Effects of salt stress on Artemisia scoparia and A. vulgaris "Variegate" were examined. A. scoparia leaves became withered under NaCl treatment, whereas A. vulgaris "Variegate" leaves were not remarkably affected. Chlorophyll content decreased in both species, with a higher reduction in A. scoparia. Contents of proline, MDA, soluble carbohydrate, and Na(+) increased in both species under salt stress, but A. vulgaris "Variegate" had higher level of proline and soluble carbohydrate and lower level of MDA and Na(+). The ratios of K(+)/Na(+), Ca(2+)/Na(+), and Mg(2+)/Na(+) in A. vulgaris "Variegate" under NaCl stress were higher. Moreover, A. vulgaris "Variegate" had higher transport selectivity of K(+)/Na(+) from root to stem, stem to middle mature leaves, and upper newly developed leaves than A. scoparia under NaCl stress. A. vulgaris "Variegate" chloroplast maintained its morphological integrity under NaCl stress, whereas A. scoparia chloroplast lost integrity. The results indicated that A. scoparia is more sensitive to salt stress than A. vulgaris "Variegate." Salt tolerance is mainly related to the ability of regulating osmotic pressure through the accumulation of soluble carbohydrates and proline, and the gradient distribution of K(+) between roots and leaves was also contributed to osmotic pressure adjustment and improvement of plant salt tolerance.

Is obesity an indicator of complications and mortality in acute pancreatitis? An updated meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To provide a meta-analyisis on whether obesity could be a prognostic indicator on the severity, development of complications and mortality of acute pancreatitis (AP). METHODS: Eligible articles were retrieved using electronic databases. Clinical studies evaluating the association between obesity and disease course of patients with AP were included. Weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated and pooled using RevMan 4.2.8. RESULTS: In all, 12 clinical studies with a total of 1483 patients were included in the analysis. Obese patients had a significantly increased risk of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP; RR=2.20, 95% CI 1.82-2.66, P<0.05), local complication (RR=2.68, 95% CI 2.09-3.43, P<0.05), systemic complication (RR=2.14, 95% CI 1.42-3.21, P<0.05) and in-hospital mortality (RR=2.59, 95% CI 1.66-4.03, P<0.05) compared with non-obese patients. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity is a definite risk factor of morbidity and in-hospital mortality for AP and may serve as a prognostic indicator.

Association between MDM2-SNP309 and hepatocellular carcinoma in Taiwanese population.

AIM: To investigate the risk association and compare the onset age of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients in Taiwan with different genotypes of MDM2-SNP309. METHODS: We analyzed MDM2-SNP309 genotypes from 58 patients with HCC and 138 cancer-free healthy controls consecutively. Genotyping of MDM2-SNP309 was conducted by restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. RESULTS: The proportion of homozygous MDM2-SNP309 genotype (G/G) in cases and cancer-free healthy controls was similar (17.2% vs 16.7%). Multivariate analysis showed that the risk of G/G genotype of MDM2-SNP309 vs wild-type T/T genotype in patients with HCC was not significant (OR = 1.265, 95% CI = 0.074-21.77) after adjustment for sex, hepatitis B or C virus infection, age, and cardiovascular disease/diabetes. Nevertheless, there was a trend that GG genotype of MDM2-SNP309 might increase the risk in HCC patients infected with hepatitis virus (OR = 2.568, 95% CI = 0.054-121.69). Besides, the homozygous MDM2-SNP309 genotype did not exhibit a significantly earlier age of onset for HCC. CONCLUSION: Current data suggest that the association between MDM2-SNP309 GG genotype and HCC is not significant, while the risk may be enhanced in patients infected by hepatitis virus in Taiwan.

Results based on 124 cases of breast cancer and 97 controls from Taiwan suggest that the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP309) in the MDM2 gene promoter is associated with earlier onset and increased risk of breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that the single nucleotide polymorphism 309 (SNP309, T -> G) in the promoter region of the MDM2 gene is important for tumor development; however, with regards to breast cancer, inconsistent associations have been reported worldwide. It is speculated that these conflicting results may have arisen due to different patient subgroups and ethnicities studied. For the first time, this study explores the effect of the MDM2 SNP309 genotype on Taiwanese breast cancer patients. METHODS: Genomic DNA was obtained from the whole blood of 124 breast cancer patients and 97 cancer-free healthy women living in Taiwan. MDM2 SNP309 genotyping was carried out by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) assay. The multivariate logistic regression and the Kaplan-Meier method were used for analyzing the risk association and significance of age at diagnosis among different MDM2 SNP309 genotypes, respectively. RESULTS: Compared to the TT genotype, an increased risk association with breast cancer was apparent for the GG genotype (OR = 3.05, 95% CI = 1.04 to 8.95), and for the TG genotype (OR = 2.12, 95% CI = 0.90 to 5.00) after adjusting for age, cardiovascular disease/diabetes, oral contraceptive usage, and body mass index, which exhibits significant difference between cases and controls. Furthermore, the average ages at diagnosis for breast cancer patients were 53.6, 52 and 47 years for those harboring TT, TG and GG genotypes, respectively. A significant difference in median age of onset for breast cancer between GG and TT+TG genotypes was obtained by the log-rank test (p = 0.0067). CONCLUSION: Findings based on the current sample size suggest that the MDM2 SNP309 GG genotype may be associated with both the risk of breast cancer and an earlier age of onset in Taiwanese women.

The role of N-lauroylethanolamine in the regulation of senescence of cut carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus).

N-acylethanolamines (NAEs) are a group of lipid mediators that play important roles in mammals, but not much is known about their precise function in plants. In this work, we analyzed the possible involvement of N-lauroylethanolamine [NAE(12:0)] in the regulation of cut-flower senescence. In cut carnation flowers of cv. Red Barbara, the pulse treatment with 5 microM NAE(12:0) slowed senescence by delaying the onset of initial wilting. Ion leakage, which is a reliable indicator of membrane integrity, was postponed in NAE(12:0)-treated flowers. The lipid peroxidation increased in carnation petals with time, in parallel to the development in activity of lipoxygenase and superoxide anion production rate, and these increases were both delayed by NAE(12:0) supplementation. The activities of four enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase and ascorbate peroxidase) that are implicated in antioxidant defense were also upregulated in the cut carnations that had been treated with NAE(12:0). These data indicate that NAE(12:0)-induced delays in cut-carnation senescence involve the protection of the integrity of membranes via suppressing oxidative damage and enhancing antioxidant defense. We propose that the stage from the end of blooming to the onset of wilting is a critical period for NAE(12:0) action.

A novel compound heterozygous mutation of K494_V495 deletion plus R496L and D487_F489 deletion in extreme C-terminus of cytochrome P450c17 causes 17alpha-hydroxylase deficiency.

17alpha-Hydroxylase deficiency is a rare disease caused by mutation of the CYP17 gene, resulting in hypertension, hypokalemia, female sexual infantilism or male pseudohermaphroditism, low blood cortisol and low plasma renin activity. Herein, we report a female Taiwanese with 17alpha-hydroxylase deficiency. The CYP17 genes of this patient and five members of her family were analyzed by PCR-direct sequencing. One allele of the patient contains a 9-bp (c. 1459-1467 GACTCTTTC: D487, S488, F489) deletion, which is prevalent in Southeast Asia. The other allele has a 6-bp (c. 1480-1485 AAGGTG: K494, V495) deletion and an R496L (c. 1487 G>T) missense mutation, which is a novel mutation. Site-directed mutagenesis, in vitro expression and functional analysis in HEK-293T cells showed that this novel mutation [K494_V495 Del; R496L] resulted in complete loss of 17alpha-hydroxylase and 17,20-lyase activity. Thus this novel mutation in the extreme C-terminus abolishes enzyme activity, and when accompanied by a 9-bp deletion at codons 487-489 in the other allele, results in 17alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase deficiency in this patient.

Complementary role of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and 131I scan in the follow-up of post-therapy differentiated thyroid cancer.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) is a relatively new modality in the follow-up of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) who have undergone total thyroidectomy and postoperative radioiodine therapy. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of FDG-PET, comparing it with 131I whole-body scan (WBS) and 201Tl WBS. METHODS: Fifteen selected patients with local invasive and/or aggressive DTC were included in this study. The follow-up period ranged from 1 to 12 years, with a mean +/- standard error of 6 +/- 3 years. FDG-PET was performed when patients were still receiving thyroxin therapy. RESULTS: In the cervical region, residual cancer in two patients was demonstrated by FDG-PET, but could not be detected using 131I WBS or 201Tl WBS. Pathology of the surgical specimen showed dedifferentiation of thyroid cancer in one of these patients. Metastatic cervical lymph nodes were detected using FDG-PET in three patients, but in only one patient using 131I WBS and in another one patient using 201Tl WBS. Mediastinal metastases were detected using FDG-PET in three patients, 131I WBS in two patients, and 201Tl WBS in one patient. Diffuse lung metastasis was detected only by 131I WBS in two patients. The use of FDG-PET in conjunction with computerized tomography provided useful diagnostic information about small nodular lesions of the lung which could not be localized by 131I WBS or 201Tl WBS in three patients. In skeletal metastases, 131I WBS detected more metastatic lesions than FDG-PET or 201Tl WBS, especially when the lesions were located in the pelvis. CONCLUSIONS: In the follow-up evaluation of patients with post-therapy DTC, FDG-PET was useful for detecting dedifferentiated lesions and was superior to 131I WBS in detecting residual cervical or mediastinal lesions and suspected small metastatic foci in the lung. FDG-PET was inferior to 131I WBS in detecting diffuse lung metastases and distant bone metastases.

Identification of a nucleocapsid protein (VP35) gene of shrimp white spot syndrome virus and characterization of the motif important for targeting VP35 to the nuclei of transfected insect cells.

To identify the protein encoded by a 687-bp open reading frame (ORF) of a salI genomic DNA fragment of shrimp white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), we expressed the ORF in a baculovirus/insect cell expression system. The apparent molecular mass of the recombinant protein on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) was 35 kDa in insect cells. Antibody raised against bacterially synthesized protein of the ORF identified a nucleocapsid protein (VP35) in the extracts of both the purified WSSV virions and the nucleocapsids which comigrated with the 35-kDa baculovirus-expressed recombinant protein on SDS-PAGE. We also show by transient expression in insect cells (Sf9) that VP35 targets the nucleus. Two potential nuclear localization signals (NLSs) were characterized, but only one of them was important for targeting VP35 to the nuclei of transfected insect cells. Replacement of a cluster of four positively charged residues ((24)KRKR(27)) at the N terminus of the protein with AAAA resulted in mutant proteins that were distributed only in the cytoplasm, thus confirming that this sequence is a critical part of the functionally active NLS of VP35.