Metabolic Regulations of Smilax china L. against ß-Amyloid Toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Smilax china L. (Chinaroot) is a natural herb that has multiple uses, such as being used to make tea and food. Both its roots and leaves have different uses due to their unique components. In this study, we analyzed the extract of S. china. roots using LC-HRMS and evaluated the neuroprotective effects and metabolic regulation of S. china on Caenorhabditis elegans. Chinaroot extract prolonged the life span of healthy nematodes, delayed the paralysis time of transgenic CL4176, and reduced the level of ß-amyloid deposition in transgenic CL2006. The comprehensive analysis of metabolomics and qRT-PCR revealed that Chinaroot extract exerted neuroprotective effects through the valine, leucine and isoleucine degradation and fatty acid degradation pathways. Moreover, we first discovered that the expressions of T09B4.8, ech-7, and agxt-1 were linked to the neuroprotective effects of Chinaroot. The material exerted neuroprotective effects by modulating metabolic abnormalities in AD model C. elegans. Our study provides a new foundation for the development of functional food properties and functions.

Differences between soluble and insoluble undenatured type II collagen in improving osteoarthritis in rats and their potential mechanisms.

Our previous research showed that soluble (SC II) and insoluble (IC II) undenatured type II collagen had significant differences during gastrointestinal digestion in vitro, and SC II exposed more type II collagen with triple helix structure. However, the differences in their in vivo digestive characteristics, improvement on osteoarthritis (OA), and possible mechanisms have not been elucidated. The aim of this study was to explore these issues. After oral administration of SC II and IC II, the joint swelling of OA rats significantly reduced, and the weight bearing ratio of right hind limb significantly increased, especially in SC II group (raised to 48%). The Mankin and OARSI scores decreased by 35% and 48% in SC II group, respectively. SC II and IC II increased the mRNA expression of anti-inflammatory factors and the proportion of regulatory T cells (Treg). Importantly, type II collagen released by IC II during in vivo gastrointestinal digestion was far less than SC II, which explained the higher ability of SC II to induce immune tolerance in small intestine than IC II. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the differential genes between model and control were significantly enriched in PI3K/AKT, PPAR and AMPK signalling pathways, and 24 hub genes were analyzed. SC II significantly down-regulated the mRNA expression of Il6, Ccl7, NF-κB, AKT and up-regulated the mRNA expression of Scd1. These results showed that SC II was superior to IC II in improving OA by inducing immune tolerance and could regulate key biomarkers and signalling pathways in OA rats.

Development of a SYBR Green-based real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay to detect enzootic nasal tumor virus in goats.

Enzootic nasal adenocarcinoma is a contagious respiratory disease in goats that is caused by the enzootic nasal tumor virus 2 (ENTV-2). In order to increase the number of available detection methods for ENTV-2, we developed a SYBR Green real-time polymerase chain reaction (SGrPCR) assay that targets the gag gene of ENTV-2. The low limit of detection of the assay was 3.68 × 101 copies/µL, a hundredfold more sensitive than conventional PCR. The melt curve showed a single sharp melt peak at 83°C, which indicated that there was no non-specific amplification or primer dimer formation. The intra-assay and inter-assay coefficients of variation were 1.58% and 1.82%, respectively. There was no cross-reactivity with closely related goat viruses (i.e., orf virus, peste des petits ruminants virus, goatpox virus, foot-and-mouth disease virus) and endogenous retroviruses. In conclusion, the SGrPCR assay is specific for the gag gene of ENTV-2 and provides a rapid and sensitive approach for detecting ENTV-2 in clinical samples.

L'adénocarcinome nasal enzootique est une maladie respiratoire contagieuse chez les chèvres qui est causé par le virus de la tumeur nasale enzootique 2 (ENTV-2). Afin d'augmenter le nombre de méthodes de détection disponibles pour ENTV-2, nous avons développé un test de réaction en chaîne par polymérase en temps réel SYBR Green (SGrPCR) qui cible le gène gag de ENTV-2. La limite basse de détection du test était de 3,68 × 101 copies/µL, cent fois plus sensible que la PCR conventionnelle. La courbe de fusion montrait un seul pic de fusion net à 83 °C, ce qui indiquait qu'il n'y avait pas d'amplification non spécifique ou de formation de dimère d'amorce. Les coefficients de variation intra-essai et inter-essai étaient respectivement de 1,58 % et 1,82 %. Il n'y avait pas de réactivité croisée avec les virus caprins étroitement apparentés (c'est-à-dire le virus orf, le virus de la peste des petits ruminants, le virus de la variole caprine, le virus de la fièvre aphteuse) et les rétrovirus endogènes. En conclusion, le test SGrPCR est spécifique du gène gag de l'ENTV-2 et fournit une approche rapide et sensible pour la détection d'ENTV-2 dans des échantillons cliniques.(Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier).

Differentiation of Subclinical Ketosis and Liver Function Test Indices in Adipose Tissues Associated With Hyperketonemia in Postpartum Dairy Cattle.

Past studies suggested that during early lactation and the transition period, higher plasma growth hormone (GH) levels in subclinical ketosis (SCK) might involve the initiation of body adipose tissues mobilization, resulting in metabolic disorders in ruminants particularly hyperketonemia. The upregulated GH mRNA expression in adipose tissue may take part in the adipolysis process in SCK-affected cows that paves a way for study further. This study aimed to characterize the plasma levels of GH, ß-hydroxybutyrate acid (BHBA) and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) and glucose (GLu) in ketotic cows and healthy control (CON) cows; to measure the liver function test (LFT) indices in ketotic and healthy CON cows, and finally the quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) assay of candidate genes expressed in adipose tissues of ketotic and healthy CON cows during 0 to 7 week postpartum. Three experiments were conducted. Experiment-1 involved 21 Holstein cows weighing 500-600 kg with 2-5 parities. Results showed that GH, BHBA, and NEFA levels in ketotic cows were significantly higher and the GLu level significantly lower. Pearson's correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation of GH with BHBA, NEFA, and GLu in ketotic and healthy CON cows. In experiment-2, dynamic monitoring of LFT indices namely, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), globulin (GLOB) and albumin/globulin (A/G) were examined. The TBIL, DBIL, and GGT indices were significantly higher in ketotic cows and TP was significantly lower. In experiment-3, mRNA expression levels of GHR and peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) genes in adipose tissue were significantly upregulated in ketotic cows. However, the mRNA expression of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-1), insulin-like growth factor-I receptor (IGF-1R), and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) genes in adipose tissue were downregulated in ketotic cows. Our study concluded that during postpartum, higher plasma GH levels in SCK cows might involve the initiation of body adipose tissue mobilization, resulting in hyperketonemia.

Synthesis of fused-tetrahydropyrimidines: one-pot methylenation-cyclization utilizing two molecules of CO2.

A methylenation-cyclization reaction, employing cyclic enaminones with primary aromatic amines and two molecules of CO2, furnishing fused-tetrahydropyrimidines, is discussed. In this Cs2CO3 and ZnI2 catalyzed one-pot two-step procedure, two molecules of CO2 were selectively converted to methylene groups. The multi-component reaction might proceed through the formation of bis(silyl)acetal which was followed by condensation and further aza-Diels-Alder reaction. Hydroquinazoline, hydrocyclopenta[d]pyrimidine and hydroindeno[1,2-d]pyrimidine derivatives could be prepared with CO2 as the C1 source, effectively.

One-Pot Methylenation-Cyclization Employing Two Molecules of CO2 with Arylamines and Enaminones.

One-pot methylenation-cyclization employing two molecules of CO2 with enaminones and primary aromatic amines was discussed for the first time to access cyclized products. This 1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene and ZnCl2-catalyzed procedure was characterized by the selective conversion of two molecules of CO2 into methylene groups in a multicomponent cyclization reaction. According to the computational study and control experiments, the reaction might proceed through the generation of bis(silyl)acetal and condensation of arylamine and aza-Diels-Alder processes. Moreover, the resulting products will probably be potential organic building blocks with adjustable photophysical properties.