[Effects of Cow Manure Application on Soil Microbial Community in Farmland].

Although livestock manure serves as an effective source of nutrients for agricultural purposes, it also causes an obvious risk of contamination of heavy metals and pathogens in soil. Soil microorganisms are always considered a sensitive indicator for the change in soil quality. However, knowledge of the effects of cow manure application on soil microbial community is still scarce. Therefore, the characteristics of the soil microbial community and its influencing factors in the farmland with cow manure application were studied using dilution plate counting and high-throughput sequencing. The results showed that the ß diversity of the soil microbial community exhibited a significant difference between the cow manure application site and control site. The application of cow manure increased the relative abundance of Proteobacteria but decreased the relative abundances of Actinobacteria and Gemmatimonadetes. Furthermore, the cow manure application significantly changed the relative abundances of Sphingomonas,PLTA13, MSB-4B10, Halomonas, CCD24, Gaiella, Arthrobacter, Bacillus, and Entotheonellaceae. Both the content of soil water and actinomycete numbers were the important influencing factors of soil microbial community composition in the farmland with cow manure application. The cow manure application increased the relative abundance of pathogenic bacteria including Pseudomonas, Clostridium, and Streptococcus, which may have resulted in potential risks of pathogenic contamination for soil quality. The findings of this study are useful for understanding the effects of cow manure application on soil quality in farmland.

Numerical Study on Heat-Transfer Characteristics of Convection Melting in Metal Foam under Sinusoidal Temperature Boundary Conditions.

Convection melting in metal foam under sinusoidal temperature boundary conditions is numerically studied in the present study. A multiple-relaxation-time lattice Boltzmann method, in conjunction with the enthalpy approach, is constructed to model the melting process without iteration steps. The effects of the porosity, phase deviation, and periodicity parameter on the heat-transfer characteristics are investigated. For the cases considered in this work, it is found that the effects of the phase deviation and periodicity parameter on the melting rate are weak, but the melting front can be significantly affected by the sinusoidal temperature boundary conditions.

Genotype-Phenotype Analysis and Mutation Spectrum in a Cohort of Chinese Patients With Congenital Nystagmus.

Purpose: Congenital nystagmus (CN) is a genetically and clinically heterogeneous ocular disorder that manifests as involuntary, periodic oscillations of the eyes. To date, only FRMD7 and GPR143 have been reported to be responsible for causing CN. Here, we aimed to identify the disease-causing mutations and describe the clinical features in the affected members in our study. Methods: All the subjects underwent a detailed ophthalmic examination. Direct sequencing of all coding exons and splice site regions in FRMD7 and GPR143 and a mutation assessment were performed in each patient. Results: We found 14 mutations in 14/37 (37.8%) probands, including nine mutations in the FRMD7 gene and five mutations in the GPR143 gene, seven of which are novel, including c.284G>A(R95K), c.964C>T(P322S), c.284+10T>G, c.901T>C (Y301H), and c.2014_2023delTCACCCATGG(S672Pfs*12) in FRMD7, and c.250+1G>C, and c.485G>A (W162*) in GPR143. The mutation detection rate was 87.5% (7/8) of familial vs. 24.1% (7/29) of sporadic cases. Ten mutations in 24 (41.7%) non-syndromic subjects and 4 mutations in 13(30.8%) syndromic subjects were detected. A total of 77.8% (7/9) of mutations in FRMD7 were concentrated within the FERM and FA domains, while all mutations in GPR143 were located in exons 1, 2, 4 and 6. We observed that visual acuity tended to be worse in the GPR143 group than in the FRMD7 group, and no obvious difference in other clinical manifestations was found through comparisons in different groups of patients. Conclusions: This study identified 14 mutations (seven novel and seven known) in eight familial and 29 sporadic patients with congenital nystagmus, expanding the mutational spectrum and validating FRMD7 and GPR143 as mutation hotspots. These findings also revealed a significant difference in the screening rate between different groups of participants, providing new insights for the strategy of genetic screening and early clinical diagnosis of CN.

Mutation of IPO13 causes recessive ocular coloboma, microphthalmia, and cataract.

Ocular coloboma is a developmental structural defect of the eye that often occurs as complex ocular anomalies. However, its genetic etiology remains largely unexplored. Here we report the identification of mutation (c.331C>T, p.R111C) in the IPO13 gene in a consanguineous family with ocular coloboma, microphthalmia, and cataract by a combination of whole-exome sequencing and homozygosity mapping. IPO13 encodes an importin-B family protein and has been proven to be associated with the pathogenesis of coloboma and microphthalmia. We found that Ipo13 was expressed in the cornea, sclera, lens, and retina in mice. Additionally, the mRNA expression level of Ipo13 decreased significantly in the patient compared with its expression in a healthy individual. Morpholino-oligonucleotide-induced knockdown of ipo13 in zebrafish caused dose-dependent microphthalmia and coloboma, which is highly similar to the ocular phenotypes in the patient. Moreover, both visual motor response and optokinetic response were impaired severely. Notably, these ocular phenotypes in ipo13-deficient zebrafish could be rescued remarkably by full-length ipo13 mRNA, suggesting that the phenotypes observed in zebrafish were due to insufficient ipo13 function. Altogether, our findings demonstrate, for the first time, a new role of IPO13 in eye morphogenesis and that loss of function of IPO13 could lead to ocular coloboma, microphthalmia, and cataract in humans and zebrafish.

SUZ12 RNA interference inhibits the invasion of gastric carcinoma cells.

In order to observe the regulation effects of SUZ12 gene to the invasion of gastric carcinoma cells and the mechanisms, the expressions of SUZ12 protein in 86 patients with different infiltrating degree (Tis-T4), lymph node metastasis (N0-N3) and far metastasis (M0-M1) were detected by immunohistochemical staining. The siRNA to SUZ12 was designed and synthesized and transfected into MKN28 cells. The effects of SUZ12 siRNA to cell invasion were detected by soft agar colony forming test and Transwell cabin model. The related protein was detected by Western-Blot. We found the expression of SUZ12 in gastric carcinoma tissues (23.58±9.89%) was obviously higher than that in para-cancer tissue (1.12%±0.12%) (p<0.01). The expression of SUZ12 was related to the infiltrating degree, and demonstrated an increasing tendency from Tis-T4, or from N0-N3. The expression of SUZ12 in M0 was obviously lower than in M1, p<0.01. The level of SUZ12 was descent obviously after transfected SUZ12 siRNA (p<0.01). The number of cell clone was reduced in dose dependent of siRNA and the cells permeated through filter membrane were decreased after transfected siRNA. Inhibition of SUZ12 caused an obviously descent of VEGF, MMP-2 and MMP-9 (0.22±0.06, 0.12±0.03, 0.08±0.02) compared to non transfected group (0.87±0.08, 0.92±0.16, 1.05±0.18) respectively (p<0.01). We draw the conclusion that the expression of SUZ12 is increasing along with the degree of infiltrating and metastasis of gastric carcinoma. SUZ12 siRNA inhibits the invasion of gastric carcinoma cells and the expression of VEGF, MMP-2 and MMP-9.

SUZ12 RNA Interference Inhibits the Invasion of Gastric Carcinoma Cells.

In order to observe the regulation effects of SUZ12 gene to the invasion of gastric carcinoma cells and the mechanisms, the expressions of SUZ12 protein in 86 patients with different infiltrating degree (Tis-T4), lymph node metastasis (N0-N3) and far metastasis (M0-M1) were detected by immunohistochemical staining. The siRNA to SUZ12 was designed and synthesized and transfected into MKN28 cells. The effects of SUZ12 siRNA to cell invasion were detected by soft agar colony forming test and Transwell cabin model. The related protein was detected by Western-Blot. We found the expression of SUZ12 in gastric carcinoma tissues (23.58 ± 9.89%) was obviously higher than that in para-cancer tissue (1.12% ± 0.12%) (p < 0.01). The expression of SUZ12 was related to the infiltrating degree, and demonstrated an increasing tendency from Tis-T4, or from N0-N3. The expression of SUZ12 in M0 was obviously lower than in M1, p < 0.01. The level of SUZ12 was descent obviously after transfected SUZ12 siRNA (p < 0.01). The number of cell clone was reduced in dose dependent of siRNA and the cells permeated through filter membrane were decreased after transfected siRNA. Inhibition of SUZ12 caused an obviously descent of VEGF, MMP-2 and MMP-9 (0.22 ± 0.06, 0.12 ± 0.03, 0.08 ± 0.02) compared to non transfected group (0.87 ± 0.08, 0.92 ± 0.16, 1.05 ± 0.18) respectively (p < 0.01). We draw the conclusion that the expression of SUZ12 is increasing along with the degree of infiltrating and metastasis of gastric carcinoma. SUZ12 siRNA inhibits the invasion of gastric carcinoma cells and the expression of VEGF, MMP-2 and MMP-9.

The role of neural-related factors in the metastasis of the gastrointestinal cancer.

Neurotransmitters are identified to be endogenous chemicals and act on neurons to transmit signals to each other or to a target cell across synapse. They are involved in many brain functions including analgesia, reward, food intake, metabolism, reproduction, social behaviors, learning, and memory. Recently, sympathetic nerve fibers were detected in many solid tumors including gastrointestinal cancer, supporting the idea that neural system has effects on tumor progression. Neurotransmitters were secreted from the sympathetic nerve fibers and subsequently infiltrated into tumor tissues. Further studies disclosed the different mechanisms of various kinds of neurotransmitters in the progression of carcinogenesis, including tumor cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and tumor invasion and metastasis. Neurotransmitters are mainly subdivided into four types, amino acids, monoamines, peptides, and others, each of which contains multiple chemicals. For this reason, we cannot describe each in detail. In this review, we will focus on several important neurotransmitters including tachykinis, neuropeptide Y, and b-adrenergic receptors. How they function and their crosstalks with the immune system in the progression, especially the metastasis of gastrointestinal cancer, will be described. Finally, we will summarize the clinical implications in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer.

siRNA targeting decoy receptor 3 enhances the sensitivity of gastric carcinoma cells to 5-fluorouracil.

In order to investigate the effects of RNA interference of decoy receptor 3 (DcR3) on the sensitivity of gastric cancer cells to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and the relevant mechanisms, siRNA against DcR3 was transfected into the gastric cancer cell line AGS. AGS cells were treated with different doses of 5-FU or for different time periods. The sensitivity of AGS cells to 5-FU was determined. The cell survival rate was detected by MTT assay. The apoptotic rate was determined by DAPI staining, and the expression of related proteins were detected by western blot analysis. The results showed that the cell survival rate was significanlty decreased in the knockdown group compared to the control group at different doses of 5-FU (P<0.01). After different time periods of treatment with 5-FU, the cell survival rate in the knockdown group was significantly decreased compared to the control group, respectively (P<0.01). The apoptotic rate of AGS cells in the knockdown group was increased along with the increasing dose of siRNA. The siRNA against DcR3 enhanced the expression of Fas, FasL, caspase-3 and caspase-8. In conclusion, knockdown of DcR3 by RNA interference enhances apoptosis and inhibits the growth of gastric cancer cells. Downregulation of DcR3 enhances the sensitivity of gastric cancer cells to 5-FU and increased the expression of Fas, FasL and caspase-3/8.

Inhibition of RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway promotes the apoptosis of gastric cancer cells.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Ras homologue A (RhoA) plays a crucial role in the proliferation, apoptosis,adhesion and migration of gastric cancer cells. Rho associated kinase (ROCK) is an effector protein of RhoA. METHODOLOGY: In the present study, RhoA activity was inhibited by siRNA targeting RhoA andY-27632, an inhibitor of ROCK, and the role of RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway in the apoptosis of gastric cancer cells was investigated. RESULTS: RNAi of RhoA inhibited the survival and promoted the apoptotic of AGS cells. RhoA RNAi caused an obvious decrease of ROCK1 expression but an increase of caspase-3/cleaved-caspase-8. Inhibition of ROCK by Y-27632 inhibited the activity of RhoA and promoted the apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: We speculate that RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway plays an important role in the regulation of apoptosis of gastric cancer, and to inhibit this pathway may promote the apoptosis of cancer cells. Thus, inhibition of RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway may become a novel target in the treatment of gastric cancer.