One of the basic questions in the aging field is whether there is a fundamental difference between the aging of lower invertebrates and mammals. A major difference between the lower invertebrates and mammals is the abundancy of noncoding RNAs, most of which are not conserved. We have previously identified a noncoding RNA Terc-53 that is derived from the RNA component of telomerase Terc. To study its physiological functions, we generated two transgenic mouse models overexpressing the RNA in wild-type and early-aging Terc-/- backgrounds. Terc-53 mice showed age-related cognition decline and shortened life span, even though no developmental defects or physiological abnormality at an early age was observed, indicating its involvement in normal aging of mammals. Subsequent mechanistic study identified hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor (Hmmr) as the main effector of Terc-53. Terc-53 mediates the degradation of Hmmr, leading to an increase of inflammation in the affected tissues, accelerating organismal aging. adeno-associated virus delivered supplementation of Hmmr in the hippocampus reversed the cognition decline in Terc-53 transgenic mice. Neither Terc-53 nor Hmmr has homologs in C. elegans. Neither do arthropods express hyaluronan. These findings demonstrate the complexity of aging in mammals and open new paths for exploring noncoding RNA and Hmmr as means of treating age-related physical debilities and improving healthspan.
Animals ; Mice ; RNA, Untranslated/metabolism* ; Aging/genetics* ; Mice, Transgenic ; Telomerase/metabolism* ; RNA/genetics* ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Humans ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

Objective:To analyze the distribution of tumor necrosis factor-alpha（TNF-α）308 gene loci polymorphism in children with febrile seizures（FS）and to explore the correlation between TNF-α 308 gene polymorphisms and FS in children.Methods:A total of 320 children diagnosed with FS in the Department of Emergency，Shanghai Children's Hospital from September 1st，2020 to June 30th，2021 were enrolled as the study subjects，which were divided into simple febrile seizures（SFS）group（232 cases）and complex febrile seizures（CFS）group（88 cases）based on their clinical characteristics，and the clinical characteristics and laboratory indexes of the two groups were compared. Children with no history of convulsions were selected as the control group（160 cases）. The high-resolution melting and gene sequencing technology were used to analyze the polymorphism of TNF-α 308 gene in each group and the distribution of different gene types and allele frequencies among the groups was compared. A multivariate Logistic regression model was constructed to analyze the relationship between TNF-α 308 gene polymorphism and FS.Results:The age，mean corpuscular volume，mean corpuscular hemoglobin and platelet distribution width of the CFS group were significantly higher than those in the SFS group，and the difference was statistically significant（all P<0.05）.There was no significant difference in gender distribution，family history of FS，history of FS，body temperature at time of convulsions，WBC，Hb，CRP and PLT between the two groups（all P>0.05）.The genotype frequency distribution of TNF-α 308 polymorphism in the three groups was in line with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium（ P>0.05）.The AA genotype of TNF-α 308 locus was not detected in the study.Compared with the control group［17 cases（10.6%）］，the distribution proportion of GA genotype in the CFS group［22cases（25.0%）］and the SFS group［52cases（22.4%）］was increased，and the difference was statistically significant（ χ2＝11.126， P＝0.004）；Compared with the control group［17 frequencies（5.3%）］，the frequency distribution proportion of allele A in the CFS group［22 frequencies（12.5%）］and SFS group［52 frequencies（11.2%）］was also increased，and the difference was statistically significant（ χ2＝9.960， P＝0.007）. Adding control factors such as gender，age，family history of FS，body temperature at time of convulsions and blood routine markers，the multivariate Logistic regression model was constructed to show that there was no statistically significant association between TNF-α 308 genotype and CFS in children（ OR＝1.805，95% CI：0.926~3.519， P＝0.083）. Conclusion:In this study，there was no significant correlation between TNF-α 308 gene loci polymorphism and CFS in children.

Ribosomopathies encompass a spectrum of disorders arising from impaired ribosome biogenesis and reduced functionality.Mutation or dysexpression of the genes that disturb any finely regulated steps of ribosome biogenesis can result in different types of ribosomopathies in clinic,collectively known as ribosomopathy genes.Emerging data suggest that ribosomopathy patients exhibit a significantly heightened susceptibility to cancer.Abnormal ribosome biogenesis and dysregulation of some ribo-somopathy genes have also been found to be intimately associated with cancer development.The cor-relation between ribosome biogenesis or ribosomopathy and the development of malignancies has been well established.This work aims to review the recent advances in the research of ribosomopathy genes among human cancers and meanwhile,to excavate the potential role of these genes,which have not or rarely been reported in cancer,in the disease development across cancers.We plan to establish a theoretical framework between the ribosomopathy gene and cancer development,to further facilitate the potential of these genes as diagnostic biomarker as well as pharmaceutical targets for cancer treatment.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of electro-acupuncture on Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) expressions in the liver of rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

METHODSSD rat models of NAFLD induced by feeding high-fat diet for 5 weeks were subjected to early or late intervention with electro-acupuncture at the acupoints Zusanli, Fenglong and Sanyinjiao for 20 min once daily for 21 consecutive days. The changes in serum ALT, AST, TC, and TG levels were determined in the rats and hepatic expressions of TLR4 and NF-κB detected with quantitative fluorescence PCR and Western blotting after treatments.

RESULTSSerum ALT, AST, TC, and TG levels and TLR4 and NF-κB levels increased significantly after NAFLD onset (P<0.05), and were markedly reduced by interventions with electro-acupuncture (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONElectro-acupuncture at the acupoints Zusanli, Fenglong and Sanyinjiao can modify blood lipid and hepatic function to produce positive effect on NAFLD possibly by modifying lipid metabolism, lowering expressions of TLR4 and NF-κB in the liver, and reducing the impact of inflammation on NAFLD.

Animals ; Diet, High-Fat ; Disease Models, Animal ; Electroacupuncture ; Inflammation ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ; metabolism ; therapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the effect of electro-acupuncture on Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) expressions in the liver of rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods SD rat models of NAFLD induced by feeding high-fat diet for 5 weeks were subjected to early or late intervention with electro-acupuncture at the acupoints Zusanli, Fenglong and Sanyinjiao for 20 min once daily for 21 consecutive days. The changes in serum ALT, AST, TC, and TG levels were determined in the rats and hepatic expressions of TLR4 and NF-κB detected with quantitative fluorescence PCR and Western blotting after treatments. Results Serum ALT, AST, TC, and TG levels and TLR4 and NF-κB levels increased significantly after NAFLD onset (P<0.05), and were markedly reduced by interventions with electro-acupuncture (P<0.05). Conclusion Electro-acupuncture at the acupoints Zusanli, Fenglong and Sanyinjiao can modify blood lipid and hepatic function to produce positive effect on NAFLD possibly by modifying lipid metabolism, lowering expressions of TLR4 and NF-κB in the liver, and reducing the impact of inflammation on NAFLD.

Objective To investigate the effect of electro-acupuncture on Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) expressions in the liver of rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods SD rat models of NAFLD induced by feeding high-fat diet for 5 weeks were subjected to early or late intervention with electro-acupuncture at the acupoints Zusanli, Fenglong and Sanyinjiao for 20 min once daily for 21 consecutive days. The changes in serum ALT, AST, TC, and TG levels were determined in the rats and hepatic expressions of TLR4 and NF-κB detected with quantitative fluorescence PCR and Western blotting after treatments. Results Serum ALT, AST, TC, and TG levels and TLR4 and NF-κB levels increased significantly after NAFLD onset (P<0.05), and were markedly reduced by interventions with electro-acupuncture (P<0.05). Conclusion Electro-acupuncture at the acupoints Zusanli, Fenglong and Sanyinjiao can modify blood lipid and hepatic function to produce positive effect on NAFLD possibly by modifying lipid metabolism, lowering expressions of TLR4 and NF-κB in the liver, and reducing the impact of inflammation on NAFLD.

Objective To construct recombinant plasmids containing HPV18E7 gene ,and explore the optimization condition of its expression in Escherichia coli .Methods The genomic DNA extracted from HeLa cell line which served as a template to the HPV18 E7 gene was amplified using PCR method ;and the amplified product of HPV18E7 gene was connected to the pET-32a(+ ) vector ,which composed the pET-32a(+ )-HPV18E7 recombinant plasmid ;the positive recombinant plasmids were transformed into BL21-DE3-pLysS competent cells and the optimized expression condition was explored in order to obtain a large amount of HPV18E7 oncogenic protein .Results The fragment length of PCR products of HeLa cell genomic DNA was consistent with that of HPV18 E7 gene .In LB medium ,the expression level of the target protein was not high under such conditions as different concentra-tion of IPTG and lactose ,different temperatures and different induction starting amount .Therefore the ZYM-5052 auto-induction medium was tried in this experiment ,and the expression amount of the fusion protein was much higher than that induced with IPTG and lactose .Conclusion The amount of HPV18E7 fusion protein in ZYM-5052 automatic induction medium is much higher than that induced with IPTG and lactose .

Objective To investigate the effect of massage on quadriceps femoris repair after injury by external force and the expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and collagen-Ⅰ (COL-Ⅰ) mRNA.To explore the molecular mechanisms inhibiting scar tissue formation and promoting muscle repair.Methods Forty New Zealand white rabbits weighing (2.0 ±0.5) kg were randomly divided into a normal control group (A) (n =4),a selfrepair group (B) (n =20,further divided into the 3rd,7th,11th,15th and 19th day time points),and a massage group (C) (n =16,further divided as in group B).In group A the rabbits were not treated,as normal controls.In groups B and C rabbit models of quadriceps femoris injury were prepared using a self-made beater.In group B no massage therapy was given as a natural recovery control; in group C,massage therapy was given after 5 days.Realtime quantitative PCRs were used to detect TGF-β1 and COL-Ⅰ mRNA expression.Resnlts There was no significant difference between groups B and C in the expression of TGF-β1 or COL-Ⅰ mRNA on day 7.At the later time points,expression of both mRNAs in group C was significantly less than in group B.Conclusion Massage can effectively reduce the expression of TGF-β1 and COL-Ⅰ mRNA,inhibit excessive scar formation and promote repair of injured tissue.

OBJECTIVETo provide scientific proofs for the exploitation, utilization, and normalized cultivation of Houttuynia cordata.

METHODThe underground parts of 17 wild H. cordata populations from different valleys and altitudes of mountain. Emei were transplanted to the same growth conditions. After one year's cultivation, volatile oil was obtained by steam distillation from the aerial part of the materials. The chemical constituents were separated and identified by GC-MS, and the relative content of each constituent was determined by area normalization.

RESULTTotally, 31 chemical components were identified, 19 components could be detected in all materials. The t-test results indicated that the contents of alpha-pinene and D-limonene were extremely significantly higher than that in the wild populations, and the contents of camphene and 2-undecanone were also significantly higher than that in the wild populations. And the reverse was found in the content of trans-beta-ocimene. All these 31 components could be divided into 9 chemical compositions, and 7 chemical compositions could be detected in the wild and cultivated. RSD values of 5 chemical compositions in wild populations were higher than that in the cultivated, except for the contents of diterpenyl alcohols and diterpenyl aldehydes. These five chemical compositions accounted for 84.05% and 90.12% of the whole volatile oils in the wild and cultivated conditions, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe components and contents of the volatile oils between wild and cultivated were different. The volatile oils polymorphism decrease distinctively as all the wild populations of H. cordata were transplanted to the uniform environmental conditions.

Houttuynia ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Oils, Volatile ; analysis ; chemistry ; Organic Chemicals ; analysis

plant height.Multiple regression analysis showed that branch height from base(X_2),number of primary branches(X_4),number of effective cones per plant(X_6),number of ineffective cones per plant(X_7),number of grains per cone(X_9),and diameter of primary head(X_(10)) were the main factors affecting flower yield(Y) per plant.Multiple regression equation of flower yield per plant and six characters was Y=-3.037 0+(0.002 7) X_2+0.045 9 X_4+0.074 5 X_6+0.043 2 X_7+0.023 0 X_9+1.148 2 X_(10)(F=21.84~()).The direct effect of number of effective cones per plant was the strongest,followed by diameter of primary head.There were significant differences within the flower yield per plant and the safflor yellow A content of different species.The correlation between the safflor yellow A content and the flower yield per plant was insignificant.Conclusion High-yield and high-quality are compatible in breeding of safflower which is used as herbal medicine.Number of effective cones per plant and diameter of primary head are focused on the high yield breeding and cultivation of safflower species.The plant type of higher flower yield safflower species should have more effective cone numbers,more number of cones,number of branches,number of primary branches,bigger diameter of primary head,moderate plant height,branch height from base,and ineffective cones per plant.Of all accessions,PI 239226,PI 253540,PI 367833,and Jianyang Honghua are outstanding and optimal for cultivating in Sichuan Province.