The auxin/indole-3-acetic acid (Aux/IAA) gene family is an important regulator for plant growth hormone signaling, involved in plant growth, development, as well as response to environmental stresses. In the present study, we identified SmIAA7 which is potentially associated with Salvia miltiorrhiza leaf development through comparatively analyzed the transcriptome data from different pinnate leaves. SmIAA7 was successfully isolated from S. miltiorrhiza using the specific primers. Then subsequent bioinformatic analysis, prokaryotic expression and purification, subcellular localization, and induction expression analysis under auxin and abiotic stress were performed. The full-length of SmIAA7 contained an ORF of 684 bp encoding a protein of 227 amino acid with a molecular weight of 25.3 kD. Conserved domain analysis showed that SmIAA7 contains the conserved Aux_IAA domain (pfam02309). Sequence analysis and phylogenetic tree analysis results indicated SmIAA7 was phylogenetically close to IAA7 and IAA14 from other plants, suggesting SmIAA7 involved in plant growth and development as well as response to environmental stresses. The prokaryotic expression vector pET28a-SmIAA7 was constructed and SmIAA7 recombinant protein was successfully expressed in E. coli Rosetta (DE3) strain. Subcellular localization experiment demonstrated that SmIAA7 localized in the nucleus of plant cells. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR results showed that the expression level of SmIAA7 was upregulated in response to auxin. Drought, low temperature, and salt stress significantly increased the transcript level of SmIAA7 gene. This study lays a foundation for further elucidating the role of SmIAA7 in leaf development, signal transduction, and stress defense in S. miltiorrhiza.

Background::Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and diameter, stiffness, and wave reflections, are independent and important clinical biomarkers and risk predictors for cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of the present study was to establish nationwide reference values of carotid properties for healthy Chinese adults and to explore potential clinical determinants.Methods::A total of 3053 healthy Han Chinese adults (1922 women) aged 18-79 years were enrolled at 28 collaborating tertiary centers throughout China between April 2021 and July 2022. The real-time tracking of common carotid artery walls was achieved by the radio frequency (RF) ultrasound system. The IMT, diameter, compliance coefficient, β stiffness, local pulse wave velocity (PWV), local systolic blood pressure, augmented pressure (AP), and augmentation index (AIx) were then automatically measured and reported. Data were stratified by age groups and sex. The relationships between age and carotid property parameters were analyzed by Jonckheere-Terpstra test and simple linear regressions. The major clinical determinants of carotid properties were identified by Pearson’s correlation, multiple linear regression, and analyses of covariance.Results::All the parameters of carotid properties demonstrated significantly age-related trajectories. Women showed thinner IMT, smaller carotid diameter, larger AP, and AIx than men. The β stiffness and PWV were significantly higher in men than women before forties, but the differences reversed after that. The increase rate of carotid IMT (5.5 μm/year in women and 5.8 μm/year in men) and diameter (0.03 mm/year in both men and women) were similar between men and women. For the stiffness and wave reflections, women showed significantly larger age-related variations than men as demonstrated by steeper regression slopes (all P for age by sex interaction <0.05). The blood pressures, body mass index (BMI), and triglyceride levels were identified as major clinical determinants of carotid properties with adjustment of age and sex. Conclusions::The age- and sex-specific reference values of carotid properties measured by RF ultrasound for healthy Chinese adults were established. The blood pressures, BMI, and triglyceride levels should be considered for clinical application of corresponding reference values.

Objective To investigate the inhibitory effects of Wumeiwan on oxidative stress injury of ulcerative colitis mice induced by dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)by regulating Kelch-like ECH related protein 1(Keap-1)-nuclear factor E2 related factor 2(Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)signaling pathwayand.Methods Forty C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into five groups:normal group,model group,positive control group,experimental-L,-H groups.UC mice model were induced by free access to 2％DSS water.Mice in normal and model group were orally administered with 0.9％NaCl,mice in positive control group were orally treated with Mesalazine solution(0.005 g·10 g-1·d-1),while mice in experimental groups were orally administered with Wumeiwan decoction at the dose of 0.13 and 0.26 g·10 g-1·d-1,respectively.All the drugs were administered for consecutive 7 days,1 times a day.The levels of disease activity index(DAI)and the colon length were scored.The levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD),catalase(CAT),cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2)and inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)in colon tissue of mice were determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)method.The level of Keap-1,Nrf2,HO-1 proteins in colon tissue were determined by Western blot method.Results The levels of DAI of seventh day in normal group,positive control group,experimental-L,-H groups were 0、(2.62±0.33),(1.87±0.35),(1.87±0.35)and(1.58±0.35);the colon lengths were(8.16±0.47)、(5.98±0.24),(7.58±0.38),(7.33±0.24)and(7.48±0.51)cm;the SOD mRNA were 1.01±0.16、0.40±0.01,1.43±0.45,0.65±0.01 and 0.83±0.02;the CAT mRNA were 1.01±0.20、0.45±0.01,0.84±0.02,0.68±0.07 and 0.87±0.05;the COX-2 mRNA were 1.03±0.33、16.65±0.60,4.78±0.25,14.07±0.60 and 7.39±0.15;the iNOS mRNA were 1.04±0.40、20.71±0.66,8.09±0.93,15.44±0.68 and 11.66±0.06;the levels of Keap-1 were 1.22±0.16、1.10±0.05,1.18±0.05,1.94±0.08 and 1.17±0.08;the levels of Nrf2 were 1.12±0.16、0.76±0.15,0.65±0.13,0.70±0.16 and 0.82±0.18;the levels of HO-1 were 1.34±0.15、1.00±0.12,0.89±0.10,1.50±0.18 and 1.40±0.13,respectively.Significant difference was found between normal group and model group(P＜0.01,P＜0.05);significant difference was also found between the experimental-L,-H groups and model group(P＜0.01,P＜0.05).Conclusion Wumeiwan can inhibit oxidative stress in mice with UC,the mechanisms may be related to adjusted the expression of Keap-1-Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway protein in colon.

BACKGROUND:Compared with traditional two-dimensional culture,three-dimensional microtissue culture can show greater advantages.However,more favorable cultivation methods in three-dimensional culture still need to be further explored. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the cell behavior of microtissue and its ability to promote cartilage formation under two three-dimensional culture methods. METHODS:Cartilage-derived microcarriers were prepared by chemical decellularization and tissue crushing.DNA quantification and nuclear staining were used to verify the success of decellularization,and histological staining was used to observe the matrix retention before and after decellularization.The microcarriers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and CCK-8 assay.Cartilage-derived microtissues were constructed by combining cartilage-derived microcarriers with human adipose mesenchymal stem cells through three-dimensional static culture and three-dimensional dynamic culture methods.The cell viability and chondrogenic ability of the two groups of microtissues were detected by scanning electron microscopy,live and dead staining,and RT-qPCR. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Cartilage-derived microcarriers were successfully prepared.Compared with before decellularization,the DNA content significantly decreased after decellularization(P<0.001).Scanning electron microscope observation showed that the surface of the microcarrier was surrounded by collagen,maintaining the characteristics of the natural extracellular matrix of cartilage cells.CCK-8 assay indicated that microcarriers had no cytotoxicity and could promote cell proliferation.(2)Scanning electron microscopy and live and dead staining results showed that compared with the three-dimensional static group,the three-dimensional dynamic group had a more extended morphology of microtissue cells,and extensive connections between cells and cells,between cells and matrix,and between matrix.(3)The results of RT-qPCR showed that the expressions of SOX9,proteoglycan,and type Ⅱ collagen in microtissues of both groups were increased at 7 or 14 days.The relative expression levels of each gene in the three-dimensional dynamic group were significantly higher than those in the three-dimensional static group at 14 days(P<0.05).At 21 days,the three-dimensional static group had significantly higher gene expression compared with the three-diomensional dynamic group(P<0.001).(4)The results showed that compared with three-dimensional static culture microtissue,three-dimensional dynamic culture microtissue could achieve higher expression of chondrogen-related genes in a shorter time,showing better cell viability and chondrogenic ability.

Humans ; Otitis Media, Suppurative ; Chronic Disease ; Biofilms ; Otitis Media

Multiple sclerosis ( MS) is an immune-mediated chro¬nic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) , which is regulated by multiple pathophysiological mechanisms.There are four clinical phenotypes of MS, including relapsing-re- mitting MS ( RRMS) , primary progressive MS ( PPMS) , sec- ondary-pmgressive MS ( SPMS) , and progressive relapsing MS ( PRMS) , among which RRMS is the main type.'Hie pathogen¬esis of MS is not clear and it could not he cured, so long-term drug treatment is needed for the MS patients.Nowadays, animal models play an important role in the preclinical research of MS drugs.'Hie MS animal models are mainly divided into experi¬mental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model, toxin in¬ duced demyelination model, and vims induced demyelination model, among which EAE model is most widely used.'Hie three types of MS animal models demonstrate specific characteristics due to the different induction methods and animal species, and they correspond to specific clinical types of MS.According to the different clinical types of MS, the use of appropriate animal models for drug research and development will help us develop more targeted and potential therapeutic dnrgs, making it possible to cure MS.

Objective To investigate the relationship between changes in protein tyrosine kinase 7 (PTK7) and receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 2 ( ROR2) expression in the brainstem and the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Methods Forty-four human superoxide dismutase 1( hSODl)-G93A mutant ALS transgenic mice were selected, and an equal number of wild-type littermates was used as control. The brainstems were isolated at da)' 70, day 95, day 108 and da)' 122 after birth, and the morphology of frypoglossal nucleus (12N) and nucleus of facial nerve(7N) neurons in the brainstem of the model mice were observed by Nissl staining. The mRNA and protein expression of PTK7 and ROR2 were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting respectively, and the cellular localization and distribution of PTK7 and ROR2 in 12N and 7N were observed by immunofluorescence double-labeling technique. Results The result of Nissl staining showed that Nissl bodies in the neurons reduced distinctly with vacuolar degeneration of neurons, cell body atrophy and nuclear volume reduction in the 12N and 7N brainstems of ALS transgenic mice. RT-PCR result indicated that ROR2 and PTK7 mRNA level in the brainstem of ALS transgenic mice were up-regulated at da)' 70, da)' 95, day 108 and day 122 compared with wild-type littermates. Western blotting result showed that PTK7 protein was up-regulated at day 70, day 95, day 108 and day 122, ROR2 protein was up-regulated at day 70, day 95, day 108, and down-regulated at day 122 in the brainstem of ALS transgenic mice compared with wild-type littermates. Immunofluorescence result showed that ROR2/neuronal nuclei (NeuN)and PTK7/NeuN double positive cells, ROR2/glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and PTK7/GFAP double positive cells were observed in the 12N and 7N of the brainstem of ALS transgenic mice and wild-type mice, suggesting that ROR2 and PTK7 were expressed both in neurons and astrocytes. Conclusion PTK7 and ROR2 are abnormally expressed in the brainstem of ALS transgenic mice, which is closely related to the pathogenesis of ALS.

Objective To investigate the role of zinc finger protein 36,C3H type-like 1 (ZFP36L1) mediating astrocytes activation in the degeneration of motor neurons in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Methods Superoxide dismutase 1 (S0D1)-G93A transgenic mice were used as animal models, the wild-type littermates as the control (13 mice were taken from mutant and wild-type mice at each time point) . The ZFP36L1 mRNA and protein levels of the spinal cord in the early, middle and late stage were detected by Real-time PGR and Western blotting. The expression and distribution of ZFP36L1 in the spinal cord were detected by immunofluorescence. Primary astrocyte model was established from 15 postnatal 1-2 day mice. The ZFP36L1 mRNA and protein levels in astrocytes were detected by Real-time PCR and Western blotting. Si-ZFP36L1 was transfected into SOD1-G93A mutant primary astrocytes. The transfection efficiency was detected by Western blotting. Tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-a) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) secreted from astrocytes after transfection were assessed by Western blotting and ELISA. After silencing ZFP36L1 in SOD1-G93A mutant primary astrocytes, it was cocultured with SOD1-G93A mutant NSC34 cells. 5 ' -ethynyl-2' deoxyuridine (EdU) test and the level of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were used to determine the effect of ZFP36L1 on NSC34 cell proliferation. TUNEL test and the level of cleaved-Caspase-3 were used to determine the effect of ZFP36L1 on NSC34 cell apoptosis. Blank small interfering RNA(siRNA) was transfected as the control group. Results Compared with the wild-type mice, the mRNA and protein levels of ZFP36L1 were downregulated in the spinal cord of SOD1-G93A transgenic mice. In wild type mice, ZFP36L1 positive cells were mainly [^-tubulin IE positive. In SOD1-G93A mutant mice, ZFP36L1 positive cells were mainly glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) positive. The expression of ZFP36L1 in SOD1-G93A mutant primary astrocytes increased, and si-ZFP36Ll reduced the level of ZFP36L1 in SOD1-G93A mutant primary astrocytes significantly. Inflammatory factors including TNF-a, IL-18 decreased significantly after silencing ZFP36L1. In addition, after silencing ZFP36L1 expression, SOD1-G93A mutant primary astrocytes enhanced the proliferation activity of NSC34 cells and inhibited NSC34 cell apoptosis significantly. Conclusion Astrocytes are activated in the process of ALS. ZFP36L1 promotes the degeneration of motor neurons in ALS through the inflammatory factors secreted by astrocytes.

For a long time, the cultivation of medical students’ scientific research and innovation abilitymainly depends on scattered extracurricular scientific research activities. With limited students, unsystematic teaching and inadequate administrative guarantee, it often results in obvious weakness andinefficiency. Since 2002, the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology teaching team in Shantou UniversityMedical College has been working on a “3+X” model to nurture the scientific research and innovationability of medical students. Guided by the concepts of complementary development of science andeducation, student-centeredness, and Problem-based Learning, a model is established based on the‘HEART” professionalism courses and the academy culture specific to Shantou University. We also takefull advantage of the first-tier disciplines of biology, basic medicine and clinical medicine in ShantouUniversity and collaborate with other professional teaching teams. It is conceptualized in a framework thatembraces the comprehensive connotation of scientific research and innovation ability and adopts a corecurriculum system that runs through the 5-year medical undergraduate education. In this model, " 3" means " whole-person training", " whole-process training" and " omni-directional training" for medicalstudents; " X" refers to several confirmatory dimensions of the operational effectiveness of the " 3+X" model, including organizing medical students to participate in various forms of national college students’ innovative experimental research competitions, international college students’ academic seminars, writingand publishing academic papers by medical undergraduates as the first author, etc. The model proves tobe effective in cultivating the scientific research and innovation ability of medical students, hence settinga good example to solve the current problems in the cultivation of medical students’ scientific researchand innovation ability.

Type 2 diabetes is a hypermetabolic disease characterized with disorders of glucose/lipid metabolism, absolute or relative lack of insulin, and can induce skeletal muscle atrophy. Hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, and abnormal release of inflammatory factors can lead to abnormal signal transduction in skeletal muscle, thus make protein synthesis and degradation imbalance and eventually causing muscle atrophy. Under normal conditions, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)/insulin can activate phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT). AKT not only increases protein synthesis through mammalian target protein of rapamycin (mTOR), but also phosphorylates forkhead box O (FoxO) transcription factor and then inhibits the transcription of several ubiquitin ligases (such as MAFbx/atrogin-1 and MuRF1), or autophagy related genes. The weakened IGF-1/PI3K/AKT pathway in type 2 diabetes is an important factor leading to skeletal muscle atrophy. Studies have shown that the commonly used anti-type 2 diabetic drugs have different effects in regulating the synthesis and degradation of skeletal muscle protein. Studies reported that drugs with effect of anti-diabetic muscle atrophy include thiazolidinediones, glucagon-like peptide analogs, glucose-sodium cotransporter 2 inhibitors, etc.; drugs that are still in controversial or even promote skeletal muscle atrophy include metformin, and some sulfonylurea or non-sulfonylurea insulin secretagogues. This article overviewed and analyzed the currently commonly used drugs for type 2 diabetes and summarized the related mechanisms, with the aim to provide references for the rational applications of drugs for type 2 diabetes.