Identification of watermelon H3K4 and H3K27 genes and their expression profiles during watermelon fruit development.

BACKGROUND: The ClaH3K4s and ClaH3K27s gene families are subfamilies of the SET family, each with a highly conserved SET structure domain and a PHD structural domain. Both participate in histone protein methylation, which affects the chromosome structure and gene expression, and is essential for fruit growth and development. METHODS AND RESULTS: In order to demonstrate the structure and expression characteristics of ClaH3K4s and ClaH3K27s in watermelon, members of the watermelon H3K4 and H3K27 gene families were identified, and their chromosomal localization, gene structure, and protein structural domains were analyzed. The phylogeny and covariance of the gene families with other species were subsequently determined, and the expression profiles were obtained by performing RNA-Seq and qRT-PCR. The watermelon genome had five H3K4 genes with 3207-8043 bp nucleotide sequence lengths and four H3K27 genes with a 1107-5499 bp nucleotide sequence. Synteny analysis revealed the close relationship between watermelon and cucumber, with the majority of members displaying a one-to-one covariance. Approximately half of the 'Hua-Jing 13 watermelon' ClaH3K4s and ClaH3K27s genes were expressed more in the late fruit development stages, while the changes were minimal for the remaining half. H3K4-2 expression was observed to be slightly greater on day 21 compared to other periods. Moreover, ClaH3K27-1 and ClaH3K27-2 were hardly expressed throughout the developing period, and ClaH3K27-4 exhibited the highest expression. CONCLUSION: These results serve as a basis for further functional characterization of the H3K4 and H3K27 genes in the fruit development of watermelon.

Lineage-specific amplification and epigenetic regulation of LTR-retrotransposons contribute to the structure, evolution, and function of Fabaceae species.

BACKGROUND: Long terminal repeat (LTR)-retrotransposons (LTR-RTs) are ubiquitous and make up the majority of nearly all sequenced plant genomes, whereas their pivotal roles in genome evolution, gene expression regulation as well as their epigenetic regulation are still not well understood, especially in a large number of closely related species. RESULTS: Here, we analyzed the abundance and dynamic evolution of LTR-RTs in 54 species from an economically and agronomically important family, Fabaceae, and also selected two representative species for further analysis in expression of associated genes, transcriptional activity and DNA methylation patterns of LTR-RTs. Annotation results revealed highly varied proportions of LTR-RTs in these genomes (5.1%~68.4%) and their correlation with genome size was highly positive, and they were significantly contributed to the variance in genome size through species-specific unique amplifications. Almost all of the intact LTR-RTs were inserted into the genomes 4 Mya (million years ago), and more than 50% of them were inserted in the last 0.5 million years, suggesting that recent amplifications of LTR-RTs were an important force driving genome evolution. In addition, expression levels of genes with intronic, promoter, and downstream LTR-RT insertions of Glycine max and Vigna radiata, two agronomically important crops in Fabaceae, showed that the LTR-RTs located in promoter or downstream regions suppressed associated gene expression. However, the LTR-RTs within introns promoted gene expression or had no contribution to gene expression. Additionally, shorter and younger LTR-RTs maintained higher mobility and transpositional potential. Compared with the transcriptionally silent LTR-RTs, the active elements showed significantly lower DNA methylation levels in all three contexts. The distributions of transcriptionally active and silent LTR-RT methylation varied across different lineages due to the position of LTR-RTs located or potentially epigenetic regulation. CONCLUSION: Lineage-specific amplification patterns were observed and higher methylation level may repress the activity of LTR-RTs, further influence evolution in Fabaceae species. This study offers valuable clues into the evolution, function, transcriptional activity and epigenetic regulation of LTR-RTs in Fabaceae genomes.

[Comparative Analysis of Primary and Reactivated EB Virus Infection Associated Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical characteristics of children with hemophagocytic lymphocytosis (HLH) associated with primary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and EBV reactivation, and explore the effects of different EBV infection status on the clinical indexes and prognosis of HLH. METHODS: The clinical data of 51 children with EBV associated HLH treated in Henan Children's Hospital from June 2016 to June 2021 were collected. According to the detection results of plasma EBV antibody spectrum, they were divided into EBV primary infection-associated HLH group (18 cases) and EBV reactivation-associated HLH group (33 cases). The clinical features, laboratory indexes and prognosis of the two groups were analyzed and compared. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in age, gender, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, neutrophil count in peripheral blood, hemoglobin content, platelet count, plasma EBV-DNA load, lactate dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, albumin, fibrinogen, triglyceride, ferritin, hemophagocytosis in bone marrow, NK cell activity and sCD25 between the two groups(P>0.05). The central nervous system involvement and CD4/CD8 in EBV reactivation-associated HLH group were significantly higher than those in primary infection-associated HLH group, but the total bilirubin was significantly lower than that in primary infection-associated HLH group (P<0.05). After treatment according to HLH-2004 protocol, the remission rate, 5-year OS rate and 5-year EFS rate of patients in EBV reactivation-associated HLH group were significantly lower than those in EBV primary infection-associated HLH group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: EBV reactivation-associated HLH is more likely to cause central nervous system involvement and the prognosis is worser than EBV primary infection-associated HLH, which requires intensive treatment.

An Open-Label Exploratory Clinical Trial Evaluating the Effects of GLS (Coptidis Rhizoma-Evodiae Fructus 2 : 1) on Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 in Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Methods: In a 12-week, open-label, exploratory clinical trial, 126 NAFLD patients were randomly divided into the GLS group (lifestyle intervention plus GLS) or the polyene phosphatidylcholine (PPC) group (lifestyle intervention plus PPC). Random numbers generated by DPS software were used in combination with opaque, sealed envelopes for allocation concealment. At baseline as well as at the end of the study, anthropometric parameters, glucose, lipids, hepatic enzymes, and FGF 21 were measured, with hepatic fat accumulation assessed by ultrasound (US) and US-based controlled attenuation parameter (CAP). Results: 119 patients completed the study. Baseline parameters did not significantly differ between the two groups (P > 0.05). Compared with PPC, GLS decreased more significantly in hepatic fat accumulation, body weight index, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, serum glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and FGF 21 (P < 0.05). The effects of GLS on waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, CAP, and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) were positively correlated with serum FGF 21 (r = 0.343, 0.342, 0.315, and 0.374, respectively, P < 0.05). The GGT and FGF-21 changes were also confirmed by multiple linear regression analysis (B, 0.777; 95% CI: 0.307-1.247, P < 0.05). Conclusion: GLS has a significant hepatoprotective effect on NAFLD patients, causing a decrease in FGF-21 secretion in response to the damage itself.

Sulfonated polydivinylbenzene bamboo-like nanotube stabilized Pickering emulsion for effective oxidation of olefins to 1,2-diol.

Sulfonated polydivinylbenzene bamboo-like nanotube (SPDVB) with effective olefins oxidation activity is prepared by combining cationic polymerization and sulfonation. By merely adjusting sulfonation time, SPDVB with different sulfonic acid group (-SO3H) contents is achieved. SPDVB is used as both a solid emulsifier and catalyst to fabricate Pickering emulsion interface catalytic system for oxidizing olefins with 30% H2O2 acting as oxidant/water phase and olefins acting as reactants/oil phase. It is shown that Pickering emulsion interface catalytic system stabilized by SPDVB exhibits enhanced olefins oxidation efficiency than the conventional ones. At the optimum catalyst and reaction condition, the conversion of olefins by Pickering emulsion interface catalytic system stabilized by SPDVB for cyclohexene, 1-methylcyclohexene, cyclooctene, 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene oxidation is higher than 90.00% and the corresponding 1,2-diol selectivity exceeds 93.00% except the selectivity to 1-methyl-1,2-cyclohexanediol. The catalytic system also exhibits excellent cycling performance (>95.00% olefins conversion and >89.00% 1,2-diol selectivity for cyclohexene/2,3-dimethyl-2-butene oxidation after four cycles). A possible mechanism for oxidation of olefins to 1,2-diol by SPDVB stabilized Pickering emulsion is proposed: the high catalytic interface area between sulfonic acid group and H2O2 in water phase enhances the sulfonic acid group of SPDVB to convert into peroxysulfonic acid (catalytic activity centre) firstly; then the formed peroxysulfonic acid attacks the double bond of olefins to form epoxide intermediates, which will be hydrolyzed to 1,2-diol.

[Expression Levels of HES1, C-MYC and NF-kB in Peripheral Blood of Patients with T Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Their Significance].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze and investigate the expression levels of HES1, C-MYC and NF-kB in peripheral blood of patients with T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and their significance. METHODS: Sixty patients with T-ALL and 60 patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) diagnosed in our hospital from June 2012 to March 2015 were enrolled in T-ALL group and AML group, respectively. Another 30 healthy people were enrolled in the control group. Peripheral blood was collected to detect the expression levels of HES1, C-MYC and NF-kB by RT-PCR. The general data and the expression of HES1, C-MYC and NF-kB in peripheral blood were compared among the patients with different type of leukemia, cytogenetical types and different prognosis. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in baseline data, such as age and sex among the 3 groups (P＞0.05). The Hb level, WBC and Plt count, BM blast cell ratio in T-ALL and AML groups all were significantly higher than those in control group (P＜0.01), but there were no statistical difference in above-mentioned indicators between T-ALL and AML groups (P＞0.05). The expression levels of HES1, C-MYC and NF-kB in peripheral blood among 3 groups were significantly differenct (P＜0.01), the expressions levels of HES1, C-MYC and NF-kB in T-ALL and AML groups were significantly higher than those in control were significantly group (P＜0.01), moreover, the expression levels of above-mentional indicators in T-ALL groups were significantly higher than than those in AML group (P＜0.01). The expression levels of HES1, C-MYC and NF-kB iin T-ALL patients with poor prognosis were significantly higher than those in T-ALL patients with favorable prognosis (P＜0.01); the expression levels of HES1, C-MYC and NF-kB in peripheral blood of patients with different theraptic efficacy were follow: complete remission group＜partial remission group＜no remission group (P＜0.01). CONCLUSION: The HES1, C-MYC and NF-kB are highly expressed in peripheral blood of the patients with T-ALL, moreover, the expression levels maybe different, because of the cytogenetic, and theraptic efficacy.

Quantitative efficacy of three antipsychotic drugs for schizophrenia based on a real-world study in China.

Atypical antipsychotics exert remarkable long-term efficacy on the personal and social functions of schizophrenic patients. However, quantitative information on the social function of schizophrenic patients treated with atypical antipsychotics is scarce in the current clinical guidelines. In this study, we established pharmacodynamic models to quantify the time-efficacy relationship of three antipsychotic drugs based on the data from a real-world study conducted in China. A total of 373 schizophrenic patients who received antipsychotic monotherapy with olanzapine (n = 144), risperidone (n = 160), or aripiprazole (n = 69) were selected from a three-year prospective, multicenter study. The follow-up times were 13, 26, 52, 78, 104, 130, and 156 weeks after baseline. A time-efficacy model was developed with nonlinear mixed effect method based on changes in Personal and Social Performance (PSP) score compared with the baseline level. Crucial pharmacodynamic parameters, including maximum efficacy and drug onset time, were used to distinguish the efficacy of the three drugs. We quantified the time course of PSP improvement in patients after treatment with these three antipsychotics: olanzapine, risperidone, and aripiprazole reached an Emax value of 80.3%, 68.2%, and 23.9% at weeks 56.7, 29.2, and 36.8, respectively. General psychotic symptoms, onset frequency, and illness course were identified as significant factors affecting the efficacy of these drugs. The newly constructed models provide an evidence of the benefit of long-term maintenance therapy with atypical antipsychotics in individualized schizophrenia treatment in China.

[Clinicopathological Analysis of Children's Systemic EBV-Positive T-Cell Lymphoma].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical and pathologic features as well as prognosis of systemic EBV-positive T-cell lymphoma in children. METHODS: The clinical data including clinical manifestation, pathologic changes and treatment in 16 patients with children's systemic EBV-positive T-cell lymphoma were analyzed retrospectively, and follow-up of patients were carried out. RESULTS: The 16 cases included 12 males and 4  females with median age of 3.3 years old. It was demonstrated that the clinical and pathological features of the children's systemic EBV-positive T-cell lymphoma were as followed fever, hepatosplenomegaly, cytopenia, lymphadenopathy, and hemophagocytosis in bone marrow or organ. Histologically, the structures of lymph node was normal, partially or completely destoryed. The paracortical zone was expanded with prominent infiltration of small to medium-sized atypical lymphocytes. The major immunophenotypic characteristics were as follows: (1) Almost all biopsies exhibited prominent T cell proliferation. (2) CD3 was expressed in 16 patients (100%, 16/16), CD4 in 5 patients (31.3%, 5/16)，CD5 in 13 patients (81.3%, 13/16)，CD7 was expressed in 11 patients (68.8%, 11/16)，CD8 in 15 patients (93.8%, 15/16)，CD4 and CD8 were expressed in 5 patients (31.3%, 5/16)，CD4 and CD8 double-negative in patients (6.3%, 1/16)，16 patients were CD56 negative (100%, 16/16). (3) TCR gene cloning rearrangement in 16 patients (93.8%, 15/16). (4) EBV-EBER was expressed in 16 patients (100%, 16/16). 11 out of 16 cases died, 1 cese failed to be followed up, 1 case relapsed，and 3 cases survived, reseptively. The media survival time was 4 months. CONCLUSION: Systemic EBV-positive T-cell lymphoma predominantly occurred in childhood and early teen-age, and lacks specific clinic features, usually combined with hemophagocytic syndrome. The confirmed diagnosis requires comprehensive analysis of clinical manifestation, pathomorphology, immunohistochemical detection, EBV-EBER insite hybridization, and TCR gene test. The overall prognosis of the disease is poor and the fatality rate is high.

Effective solvent-free oxidation of cyclohexene to allylic products with oxygen by mesoporous etched halloysite nanotube supported Co2.

One dimensional mesoporous etched halloysite nanotube supported Co2+ is achieved by selective etching of Al2O3 from halloysite nanotube (HA) and immersing the etched HA (eHA) into the Co(NO3)2·6H2O solution consecutively. By facilely tuning the etching time and the weight ratio of Co(NO3)2·6H2O to eHA, the morphology, specific surface area and the supported Co2+ content of the mesoporous material can be tuned. The method for mesoporous material is scaled up and can be extended to other clay minerals. The mesoporous eHA supported Co2+ is used as catalyst for the selective catalytic oxidation of cyclohexene in solvent-free reaction system with O2 as oxidant. The results shows the catalytic activity is dependent on etching time, weight ratio of Co(NO3)2·6H2O to eHA, calcination treatment and reaction time/temperature. Among them, mesoporous eHA supported Co2+ prepared with 18 h etching time and 2 : 1 Co(NO3)2·6H2O/eHA weight ratio without calcination (HA/HCl-18 h/Co2+-2 : 1) demonstrates the highest catalytic activity under 75 °C reaction temperature and 18 h reaction time (58.30% conversion and 94.03% selectivity to allylic products). Furthermore, HA/HCl-18 h/Co2+-2 : 1 has exhibit superior cycling stability with 37.69% conversion and 92.73% selectivity to allylic products after three cycles.

[The changes of circulating follicular regulatory T cells and follicular T helper cells in children immune thrombocytopenia].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes and roles of follicular regulatory T cells (Tfr) and follicular T helper cells (Tfh) in the pathogenesis of children immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). METHODS: 32 untreated ITP patients, as well as 20 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. The proportion of circulating Tfr and Tfh cells were determined by flow cytometry; real-time PCR was performed to detect the expression of transcription factors and regulatory factors of Bcl-6, c-Maf, Blimp-1 and PD-1 mRNA; ELISA was used to detect plasma concentration of IL-2, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-21. RESULTS: (1)The proportion of Tfh cells were significantly higher (P<0.05), while the Tfr cells and the ratio of tfr/Tfh cells in ITP patients were significantly lower than that in health controls (P<0.05); (2)Correlation analysis showed that the Tfr cells and the ratio of Tfr/Tfh were positively correlated with the platelet counts and negatively with the levels of PA-IgG, while the proportion of Tfh cells was positively correlated with the levels of PA-IgG and negatively with the platelet counts in peripheral blood; (3)Transcription levels of Bcl-6 and c-Maf mRNA in CD4(+) T lymphocytes cells were significantly elevated, the Blimp-1 mRNA in CD4(+) cells and PD-1 mRNA levels of Treg were lower in ITP patients in comparison with healthy controls; (4)The higher Plasma concentration of IL-21, and lower concentration of IL-2 were found in ITP patients. CONCLUSION: (1)The lower proportion of Tfr cells and higher proportion of Tfh cells, as well as the abnormal ratio of Tfr/Tfh might account for the decreased platelet counts to be further involved in the immunological pathogenesis of children ITP; (2)The changes of plasma cytokines IL-2, IL-21 in microenvironment and the over-expression of Bcl-6 mRNA, c-Maf mRNA and the lower-expression of Blimp-1 mRNA in CD4(+) T cells, and over-expression of PD-1 mRNA in Treg cells might be account for the abnormal ratios of Tfr/Tfh cells in ITP patients.

Urinary angiotensinogen levels in relation to renal involvement of Henoch-Schonlein purpura in children.

AIM: To investigate whether urinary angiotensinogen (UAGT) levels are correlated with renal involvement of Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) in children, and to explore whether UAGT has any relation to the severity of HSP. METHODS: The study sample consisted of 107 patients (50 boys and 57 girls, 6.68±2.41 years) with clinical diagnosis of HSP. A 24 h urine sample was collected before treatment. UAGT levels were measured in patients with HSP in the acute and convalescent phases by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Urinary angiotensinogen/urinary concentration of creatinine levels were significantly higher in proteinuric HSP in the acute phase and the convalescent phase (32.02±3.95 and 25.31±4.11 µg/g) compared with those with HSP without renal involvement (17.26±2.60 and 15.14±3.81 µg/g) and those with hematuric HSP (19.70±2.21 and 17.28±3.62 µg/g) (P<0.0001 and P<0.01, respectively). Using matched urine samples from the same patients, UAGT/urinary concentration of creatinine (UCr) levels of proteinuric HSP patients were significantly lower in the convalescent phase (25.31 ± 4.11 µg/g, P<0.01) than in the acute phase (32.02±3.95 µg/g). UAGT/UCr levels showed positive correlation with 24 h urine protein or serum creatinine in both hematuric HSP and proteinuric HSP groups during the acute phase (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Urinary angiotensinogen levels were remarkably high in the acute phase in the patients with proteinuric HSP, suggesting increased UAGT may indicate a series of functional changes in the kidney and it may be used as a potential biomarker of severity of HSP to monitor the progression of HSP with renal involvement.

[Analysis of prognostic risk factors in childhood hemophagocytic syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To identify and explore the prognostic risk factors of the hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS). METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 50 childhood patients with HPS who were admitted to our hospital between 2007 and 2011. All their medical records were reviewed and analyzed. For each patient, demographic, laboratory data and outcome information were collected. The patients were divided into deceased or survived groups based on the follow-up results. Comparative analysis of the data was done by using independent-samples test and logistic multiple and univariate regression. RESULTS: Among the 50 HPS patients, 30 were male and 20 female, age ranged from 3 months to 10 years. Reduction of serum albumin, cholinesterase and natural killer (NK) cells was found in the forty-six patients. The laboratory features showed an elevation of serum ferritin with hypofibrinogenemia and hypertriglyceridemia in most of the patients. Forty of patients had hemophagocyte in bone marrow at diagnosis of HPS. The positive serum EBV-IgM was found in thirty-five patients.During the observation period, 25 of 37 patients (67.6%) died, while 13 of whom died within a month after hospitalization. The deceased patients were more likely to have lower albumin, cholinesterase, NK cells level and more prolonged active partial thromboplastin time than the survived patients (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that duration of illness > 1 month, albumin level < 25 g/L, cholinesterase level < 2000 U/L, NK cell level 0-3% and positive EBV-IgM were related with the prognosis significantly (P < 0.05 for all comparisons). CONCLUSION: This study revealed that duration of illness > 1 month, decreases in albumin, NK cell and cholinesterase, and positive EBV-IgM were the risk factors related to mortality in children.

Relationship between NRAGE and the radioresistance of esophageal carcinoma cell line TE13R120.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The mRNA levels of 59 genes, detected by cDNA microarray, were up-regulated in the radioresistant human esophageal cacinoma cell line TE13R120 as compared with its parental cell line TE13 before and after radiation, and the expression of NRAGE gene showed a gradually up-regulating tendency. This study aimed to further detect the differences of NRAGE gene and protein expression and apoptosis between TE13R120 and TE13 cells, and to investigate the relationship between the NRAGE and the radioresistance of TE13R120 cells and its mechanism. METHODS: The two cell lines were irradiated by 6°Co γ-ray at different conditions. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot, and immunocytochemistry were used to detect the expression of NRAGE. Flow cytometry (FCM) was used to detect the cell apoptosis before and after irradiation. RESULTS: The mRNA level of NRAGE was higher in TE13R120 cells than in TE13 cells before and after irradiation (before radiation: 0.25 ± 0.03 vs. 0.49 ± 0.03; 4 Gy 4 h: 0.31 ± 0.03 vs. 0.53 ± 0.02; 4 Gy 16 h: 0.32 ± 0.04 vs. 0.59 ± 0.04; 4 Gy 24 h: 0.36 ± 0.05 vs. 0.72 ± 0.04; 2 Gy 12 h: 0.32 ± 0.02 vs. 0.64 ± 0.04; 6 Gy 12 h: 0.36 ± 0.02 vs. 0.79 ± 0.05; 10 Gy 12 h: 0.46 ± 0.04 vs. 0.85 ± 0.01; P < 0.01), and the mRNA level of NRAGE was increased gradually with the increase of radiation dose and time in the two cell lines (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01). Western blot results showed no difference of NRAGE protein level in cytoplasm between TE13R120 cells and TE13 cells before and after irradiation, but its level in nuclei was higher in TE13R120 cells than in TE13 cells at different radiation time and dosages. Immunocytochemistry showed similar results as Western blot. FCM showed no significant difference in apoptosis rate between TE13R120 and TE13 cells before and after radiation. CONCLUSION: NRAGE may play an important role in the radiation responses of the two cell lines, and may participate in the formation of radioresistance of TE13R120 cells by changing its subcellular localization, but its relationship with cell apoptosis has not been confirmed.