Cytotoxicity of the compounds isolated from Pulsatilla chinensis saponins and apoptosis induced by 23-hydroxybetulinic acid.

Context: The rizoma of Pulsatilla chinensis (Bunge) Regel has been used as a traditional Chinese medicinal herb for thousands of years. Total saponins from P. chinensis can induce the apoptosis of solid cancer cells; however, their activity on chronic myeloid leukemia and the mechanisms remains unknown.

A high-resolution whole-genome map of the distinctive epigenomic landscape induced by butyrate in bovine cells.

This report presents a study utilizing next-generation sequencing technology, combined with chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP-seq) technology to analyze histone modification induced by butyrate and to construct a high-definition map of the epigenomic landscape with normal histone H3 and H4 and their variants in bovine cells at the whole-genome scale. A total of 10 variants of histone H3 and H4 modifications were mapped at the whole-genome scale (acetyl-H3K18-ChIP-seq, trimethy-H3K9, histone H4 ChIP-seq, acetyl-H4K5 ChIP-seq, acetyl-H4K12 ChIP-seq, acetyl-H4K16 ChIP-seq, histone H3 ChIP-seq, acetyl H3H9 ChIP-seq, acetyl H3K27 ChIP-seq and tetra-acetyl H4 ChIP-seq). Integrated experiential data and an analysis of histone and histone modification at a single base resolution across the entire genome are presented.

p38 MAPK signaling mediates mitochondrial apoptosis in cancer cells induced by oleanolic acid.

Oleanolic acid (OA) is a nutritional component widely distributed in various vegetables. Although it has been well recognized for decades that OA exerts certain anti-tumor activity by inducing mitochondria-dependent apoptosis, it is still unclear that what molecular signaling is responsible for this effect. In this study, we employed cancer cell lines, A549, BXPC-3, PANC-1 and U2OS to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying OA anti- tumor activity.

A rationally designed form of the TLR5 agonist, flagellin, supports superior immunogenicity of Influenza B globular head vaccines.

Previously, we demonstrated that for H1N1 and H5N1 influenza strains, the globular head of the hemagglutinin (HA) antigen fused to flagellin of Salmonella typhimurium fljB (STF2) is highly immunogenic in preclinical models and man (Song et al. (2008) [13]; Song et al. (2009) [14]; Taylor et al.

Oleanolic acid induces protective autophagy in cancer cells through the JNK and mTOR pathways.

Autophagy is a biological process that eliminates damaged or excessive proteins and is utilized by various types of cells to maintain cellular homeostasis. Autophagy also occurs in cancer cells and exerts anti-survival or pro-survival effects depending on stimuli, nutrient and context. Oleanolic acid (OA), a widely spread natural compound, induces apoptosis in a range of cancer cells.

Xanthohumol, a prenylated chalcone from beer hops, acts as an α-glucosidase inhibitor in vitro.

Xanthohumol (XN) is a unique prenylated flavonoid in hops (Humulus lupulus L.) and beer. XN alleviates hyperglycemia and has potential usage in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Oleanolic acid induces metabolic adaptation in cancer cells by activating the AMP-activated protein kinase pathway.

Cancer cells are well-known to require a constant supply of protein, lipid, RNA, and DNA via altered metabolism for accelerated cell proliferation. Targeting metabolic pathways is, therefore, a promising therapeutic strategy for cancers. Oleanolic acid (OA) is widely distributed in dietary and medicinal plants and displays a selective cytotoxicity to cancer cells, primarily by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest.

[Reconstruction of facial defects with frontal expanded flaps bipedicled by superficial temple vessels and supraorbital/supratrochlear neurovascular bundles].

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effect of reconstruction of facial defects with frontal expanded flaps bipedicled by superficial temple vessels and supraorbital/supratrochlear neurovascular bundles.

Methods: From June 2006 to Mar. 2013, the patients with mostly unilateral facial defects which affected temple area and crossed the facial midline, were treated with frontal expanded flaps.

A genome-wide survey reveals a deletion polymorphism associated with resistance to gastrointestinal nematodes in Angus cattle.

Gastrointestinal (GI) nematode infections are a worldwide threat to human health and animal production. In this study, we performed a genome-wide association study between copy number variations (CNVs) and resistance to GI nematodes in an Angus cattle population. Using a linear regression analysis, we identified one deletion CNV which reaches genome-wide significance after Bonferroni correction.

The mechanism of poly-galloyl-glucoses preventing Influenza A virus entry into host cells.

Hemagglutinin (HA) is essential for Influenza A virus infection, but its diversity of subtypes presents an obstacle to developing broad-spectrum HA inhibitors. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms by which poly-galloyl glucose (pGG) analogs inhibit influenza hemagglutinin (HA) in vitro and in silico. We found that (1) star-shaped pGG analogs exhibit HA-inhibition activity by interacting with the conserved structural elements of the receptor binding domain (RBD); (2) HA inhibition depends on the number of galloyl substituents in a pGG analog; the best number is four; and when PGG binds with two HA trimers at their conserved receptor binding domains (loop 130, loop 220, and 190-α-helix), PGG acts as a molecular glue by aggregating viral particles so as to prevent viral entry into host cells (this was revealed via an in silico simulation on the binding of penta-galloyl-glucose (PGG) with HA).

Transcriptional profiling of mammary gland in Holstein cows with extremely different milk protein and fat percentage using RNA sequencing.

Background: Recently, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) has rapidly emerged as a major transcriptome profiling system. Elucidation of the bovine mammary gland transcriptome by RNA-seq is essential for identifying candidate genes that contribute to milk composition traits in dairy cattle.

Results: We used massive, parallel, high-throughput, RNA-seq to generate the bovine transcriptome from the mammary glands of four lactating Holstein cows with extremely high and low phenotypic values of milk protein and fat percentage.

CS5931, a novel polypeptide in Ciona savignyi, represses angiogenesis via inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs).

CS5931 is a novel polypeptide from Ciona savignyi with anticancer activities. Previous study in our laboratory has shown that CS5931 can induce cell death via mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. In the present study, we found that the polypeptide could inhibit angiogenesis both in vitro and in vivo.

Oleanolic acid suppresses aerobic glycolysis in cancer cells by switching pyruvate kinase type M isoforms.

Warburg effect, one of the hallmarks for cancer cells, is characterized by metabolic switch from mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation to aerobic glycolysis. In recent years, increased expression level of pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) has been found to be the culprit of enhanced aerobic glycolysis in cancer cells. However, there is no agent inhibiting aerobic glycolysis by targeting PKM2.

The challenges and importance of structural variation detection in livestock.

Recent studies in humans and other model organisms have demonstrated that structural variants (SVs) comprise a substantial proportion of variation among individuals of each species. Many of these variants have been linked to debilitating diseases in humans, thereby cementing the importance of refining methods for their detection. Despite progress in the field, reliable detection of SVs still remains a problem even for human subjects.

Assessing signatures of selection through variation in linkage disequilibrium between taurine and indicine cattle.

Background: Signatures of selection are regions in the genome that have been preferentially increased in frequency and fixed in a population because of their functional importance in specific processes. These regions can be detected because of their lower genetic variability and specific regional linkage disequilibrium (LD) patterns.

Methods: By comparing the differences in regional LD variation between dairy and beef cattle types, and between indicine and taurine subspecies, we aim at finding signatures of selection for production and adaptation in cattle breeds.

A regio- and stereoselective entry to (Z)-β-halo alkenyl sulfides and their applications to access stereodefined trisubstituted alkenes.

A mild and efficient preparation of (Z)-β-halo alkenyl sulfides via the K2CO3-promoted hydrothiolation of haloalkynes has been realized, producing (Z)-β-bromo and (Z)-β-chloro vinylic sulfides in high yields with excellent regio- and stereoselectivity. This approach covers a variety of substrates, including both aryl and alkyl haloalkynes. Meaningfully, it allows a facile access to stereodefined (Z)- or (E)-trisubstituted olefins featuring the iterative cross-coupling of carbon-halide and carbon-sulfur bonds of β-halo alkenyl sulfides.

[Near infrared spectroscopy study on water content in turbine oil].

Near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy combined with successive projections algorithm (SPA) was investigated for determination of water content in turbine oil. Through the 57 samples of different water content in turbine oil scanned applying near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, with the water content in the turbine oil of 0-0.156%, different pretreatment methods such as the original spectra, first derivative spectra and differential polynomial least squares fitting algorithm Savitzky-Golay (SG), and successive projections algorithm (SPA) were applied for the extraction of effective wavelengths, the correlation coefficient (R) and root mean square error (RMSE) were used as the model evaluation indices, accordingly water content in turbine oil was investigated.

[Evaluation of total suspended matter based on spectral classification].

Total suspended matter concentration is one of the important parameters of water component. Traditional retrieval model ignored the difference of case 2 water which has complex optical properties. In the present study, we developed a method of water classification based on optical classification using HJ-1 multispectral data.

[Structure, distribution, classification, and function of C1q protein family: a review].

The C1q protein family consists of many proteins containing a Clq domain, which exists widely within organisms from bacteria to mammals. The domain organization of these proteins mainly includes a leading signal peptide, a collagen-like region, and a globular Clq domain. According to their structural characteristics, the C1q protein family can be divided into three subgroups: C1q, C1q-like and ghC1q.

Genomic divergence of zebu and taurine cattle identified through high-density SNP genotyping.

Background: Natural selection has molded evolution across all taxa. At an arguable date of around 330,000 years ago there were already at least two different types of cattle that became ancestors of nearly all modern cattle, the Bos taurus taurus more adapted to temperate climates and the tropically adapted Bos taurus indicus. After domestication, human selection exponentially intensified these differences.

Polysaccharides from Enteromorpha prolifera enhance the immunity of normal mice.

The effects of polysaccharides from Enteromorpha prolifera (PEP) on cell-mediated immunity, humoral immunity and mononuclear phagocytic system function were evaluated to assess the immunomodulatory potential of these macromolecules. Relevant immunological mechanisms were verified by biochemical assays and western blot analysis. Results showed that PEP could induce splenocyte proliferation.

[Clinical analysis of 29 cases with neuroendocrine neoplasm in the digestive system].

Objective: To investigate the diagnosis and treatment of neuroendocrine neoplasm (NEN) in the digestive system.

Methods: Clinical data of 29 patients with NEN from January 2000 to December 2012 in The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University were analyzed retrospectively and the prognosis was evaluated according to the new WHO classification.

Results: There were 19 males and 10 females and the average age was 46.

Identification and characterization of a novel IκB-ε-like gene from lamprey (Lampetra japonica) with a role in immune response.

Nuclear factor of kappa B (NF-κB) is a stimuli-activated transcription factor, regulates the expression of a diverse array of genes. Inhibitor of kappa B-epsilon (IκB-ε) is an inhibitor of NF-κB, which retains NF-κB in an inactive state in the cytoplasm. Lampreys (Lampetra japonica) belong to the lowest class of vertebrates with little information about its IκBs.

Cloning, characterization and expression of a cDNA encoding a granulin-like polypeptide in Ciona savignyi.

Previous study in our laboratory confirmed that a novel polypeptide, CS5931 derived from Ciona savignyi possesses potent antitumor activity. In the present study, the full length cDNA of CS5931 precursor, termed Cs-pgrn-1 was cloned. The complete cDNA sequence of this gene consists of 685 bp containing an open reading frame (ORF) of 522 bp (173 amino acid residues).