Downregulation of lncRNA IGF2-AS-encoded peptide induces trophoblast - cycle arrest.

RESEARCH QUESTION: lncRNA IGF2-AS may be related to early pregnancy loss. Does lncRNA IGF2-AS affect trophoblast cell growth? The aim of the present study was to verify that lncRNA IGF2-AS encodes a polypeptide, IGF2-AS-168aa, and to study its role in the pathogenesis of trophoblasts. DESIGN: A small interfering RNA targeted to the IGF2-AS gene (si-IGF2-AS) was designed and transfected into JEG-3 and JAR cells for in-vitro gene silencing. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were used to determine lncRNA IGF2-AS levels in experimental cells. After IGF2-AS suppression, MTT assay was used to assess cell proliferation and apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. Target gRNA IGF2-AS-gRNA was designed for knockout conducted the corresponding mRNA. HEK293T cells were transfected with the identified positive clone vectors. Finally, IGF2-AS-168aa was analysed by western blotting after the protein-coding region of the IGF2-AS gene was knocked out by CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology. RESULTS: lncRNA IGF2-AS and IGF2-AS-168aa were significantly downregulated in JEG-3 and JAR cells transfected with si-IGF2-AS (lncRNA IGF2-AS: JAR: NC versus small interfering RNA (siRNA)-1: P = 0.019 NC versus siRNA-2: P = 0.013; JEG-3: NC versus siRNA-1: P = 0.001 NC versus siRNA-2: P = 0.004) (IGF2-AS-168aa: JAR: NC versus siRNA-1: P = 0.030 NC versus siRNA-2: P = 0.018; JEG-3: NC versus siRNA-1: P = 0.004 NC versus siRNA-2: P = 0.001). IGF2-AS gene was incapable of encoding IGF2-AS-168aa after the coding region was successfully knocked out in HEK293T cells. Flow cytometry and the MTT assay revealed that IGF2-AS gene silencing led to cell cycle block in the G1 phase, markedly decreasing cell proliferation and increasing apoptosis. CONCLUSION: The IGF2-AS gene encoded a peptide with a potential function in trophoblast cell cycle arrest.

A study on movement characteristics and distribution law of dust particles in open-pit coal mine.

Previous simulation studies of dust particles movement behavior in open-pit coal mines only aimed at a single operation link, and the macro simulation is lacking. This study seeks to explore microscopic migration and macroscopic diffusion of dust particles in the mining area by numerical simulation method. The movement characteristics revealed, and the distribution law of the dust particles in a stable state with the corresponding migration paths in the mining area were obtained respectively. The results showed that the increase amplitude of dust particles diffusion velocity was inversely proportional to particle size, which was vital for dust pollution in the mine. And the larger the particle size in the mining pit was, the lower the escape rate of the dust particles was. Dust particles distributed over a wide range that were not limited by space height, and the distribution characteristics of dust particles at different heights were basically the same. Meanwhile, it is found that the dust distribution in the two places is relatively concentrated due to the circulation phenomenon of the mining pit and the west dump. And wind action would accelerate the moving dust particles to reach a stable distribution state.

Aberrant methylation of IGF2-AS promoter in early pregnancy loss.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to evaluate insulin-like growth factor 2 antisense (IGF2-AS) in the villi of human embryos and compared its expression between normal pregnancy and early pregnancy loss (EPL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study conducted a microarray analysis to identify the expression profiles of lncRNAs in villi from EPL and normal controls (controls, n = 10 and EPL patients, n = 10). Embryonic villi were collected from women who underwent artificial abortion. QPCR was used to confirm the results. The DNA methylation patterns were analyzed using pyrosequencing and bisulfite sequencing polymerase chain reaction. The percentage of methylation was compared in chorionic villi from the two groups. RESULTS: A total of 57 deregulated differentially expressed lncRNAs were detected, of which 33 were upregulated, and 24 were downregulated. The expression of lncRNA IGF2-AS was downregulated significantly in EPL villi compared with the normal villi. Negative regulation of IGF2-AS may be involved in the development of EPL. Methprimer predicted that IGF2-AS promoter had CpG islands and dense CG sites. Increased methylation at CpG islands present in IGF2-AS gene promoter was observed in EPL villi. CONCLUSION: An increase in methylation of IGF2-AS likely leads to its downregulation in chorionic villi of EPL. The findings suggest that a deficiency of IGF2-AS in the villi is associated with human EPL.

[Acupuncture for female depression: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: to observe the effect differences and safety between acupuncture and sham acupuncture for female depression on the basis of conventional western medicine therapy. METHODS: Forty-two patients with depression who met the criteria were randomly assigned into an observation group and a control group, 21 patients in each group. The basic treatment in the two groups was fluoxetine. The patients in the observation group were treated with acupuncture at Zhongwan (CV 12), Xiawan (CV 10), Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4) and bilateral Shangqu (KI 17). Sham acupuncture was used at the above points in the control group. The treatment was given once a day on the first 3 days and once every 3 days after that, totally for 8 weeks. The scores of self-rating depression scale (SDS) and Montgomery Asberg depression rating scale (MADRS) were compared before and after 4-week and 8-week treatment in the two groups. The effects and adverse reactions were evaluated. RESULTS: After 4-week and 8-week treatment, the SDS and MADRS scores were significantly lower than those before treatment in the two groups (all P<0.05), and the scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (both P<0.05). The improvements of SDS and MADRS scores in the observation group before and after treatment were better than those in the control group (both P<0.05). The total effective rates of SDS, MADRS scores were 85.7% (18/21), 90.5% (19/21) in the observation group, which were better than 38.1% (8/21), 57.1% (12/21) in the control group (both P<0.05). The adverse reactions in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture combined with fluoxetine are effective and safe for female depression.

Drought stress responses in maize are diminished by Piriformospora indica.

As an endophytic fungus of Sebacinales, Piriformospora indica promotes plant growth and resistance to abiotic stress, including drought. Colonization of maize roots promoted the leaf size, root length and number of tap roots. Under drought stress, the maize seedlings profited from the presence of the fungus and performed visibly better than the uncolonized controls. To identify genes and biological processes involved in growth promotion and drought tolerance conferred by P. indica, the root transcriptome of colonized and uncolonized seedlings was analyzed 0, 6 and 12 h after drought stress (20% polyethylene glycol 6000). The number of P. indica-responsive genes increased from 464 (no stress at 0 h) to 1337 (6 h drought) and 2037 (12 h drought). Gene Ontology analyses showed that the carbon and sulfur metabolisms are major targets of the fungus. Furthermore, the growth promoting effect of P. indica is reflected by higher transcript levels for microtubule associated processes. Under drought stress, the fungus improved the oxidative potential of the roots, and stimulated genes for hormone functions, including those which respond to abscisic acid, auxin, salicylic acid and cytokinins. The comparative analyses of our study provides systematic insight into the molecular mechanism how P. indica promotes plant performance under drought stress, and presents a collection of genes which are specifically targeted by the fungus under drought stress in maize roots.

Proteomic response of the rat liver in differential swimming modes.

Moderate exercise helps improve competition results, providing a balanced muscle tone and biochemical activity, whereas excessive training disrupts the balance between training and recovery, causes harm to the organism, and leads to overtraining syndrome (OTS). To explore the mechanisms of different protein expressions during training and acquisition of immunity, we used proteomic analyses to investigate the differences of liver-protein expressions between 2 swimming modes. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control (CT), fatigue training (FT), and exhaustive training (ET) groups, and liver tissues from each group were subjected to 2-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE). A total of 4518 protein spots were detected in 9 replicates, and 45 protein spots exhibited a >2-fold difference in expression (P < .05), 31 of which was successfully identified by mass spectrometry. SERPINA3K expression decreased markedly during 2 stages from CT â†’ FT and FT â†’ ET, while DDT, RHOT1, and RBP4 decreased significantly only from CT â†’ ET but not from the former 2 stages. By contrast, KRT8, PCBD1, KRT18, PRDX1, and ACY1A showed significant >2-fold increase in expression in either the CT â†’ FT or FT â†’ ET stages. Bioinformatic analyses showed that among the identified proteins, 30.2%, 54.18%, and 15.62% were involved in biological processes, molecular functions, and cell composition, respectively. Notably, PCBD1, PRDX1, and PPP1CB were involved in redox processes, while PPP1CB was only expressed in the FT group. RGN, PSMB9, and AGT, commonly recognized as oxidative stress biomarkers, may involve in regulating homeostasis in the locomotor mode and may provide diagnostic criteria for the occurrence and prevention of exercise-induced fatigue and OTS.

[Phytoplankton community structure and assessment of water quality in the middle and lower reaches of Fenhe River].

To understand the distribution of phytoplankton and the water quality in the middle and lower reaches of Fenhe River, 18 sampling sites were selected for specimen collection, species identification and data analysis. The results showed that: (1) There were 298 species of phytoplankton under the membership of 8 divisions and 96 genera, among which, Bacillariophyta was the dominant division, with a total of 127 species of 27 genera, followed by Chlorophyta, with 104 species of 41 genera, and Cyanophyta, with 45 species of 20 genera. Only 22 species of 8 genera belonged to Euglenophyta, Cryptophyta, Pyrrophyta, Chrysophyta and Xanthophyta. The number of species in wet season was higher than that in dry season at all sites. Dominant species included Cyclotella meneghiniana, Synedra acus, Navicula cryptocephala, Nitzschia palea of Bacillariophyta, Chlorella vulgaris of Chlorophyta, Oscillatoria tenuis, O. amphibia of Cyanophyta, most of which were indicator species of alpha- and beta-mesosaprobic type. Cell density was higher in wet season and lower in dry season. (2) Shannon-Wieaver species diversity index ranged from 1 to 3 basically. Margalef species richness index ranged from 0.5 to 2. Pielou evenness index ranged 0.3-0.8. (3) During the wet season, most dominant species of Chlorophyta and Euglenophyta had higher correlation with chemical oxygen demand (COD), conductivity and ammonia nitrogen. The dominant species of Cyanophyta were greatly influenced by the contents of water temperature and chromium (Cr). The distribution of dominant species of Bacillariophyta was complicatedly related with environmental factors. During the dry season, there was a higher correlation between the members of Cyanophyta and ammonia nitrogen, total phosphorus, COD. The species of Chlorophyta and Euglenophyta were mainly influenced by the dissolved oxygen and total phosphorus. The bacillariophytes were mainly related with total phosphorus, dissolved oxygen, pH and cadmium (Cd). In conclusion, the water was moderately to heavily contaminated in middle and lower reaches of Fenhe River and the water quality was eutrophic.