GmHSP40.1, a nuclear-localized soybean J domain protein, participates in regulation of flowering time through interacting with EMF1 and JMJ14.

Heat shock protein 40s (HSP40s) are a group of J domain proteins (JDPs), which serve as co-chaperones for heat shock protein 70s. We previously reported that over-expression of a soybean class C JDP, GmHSP40.1, in Arabidopsis activated defense responses.

Partially knocking out NtPDK1a/1b/1c/1d simultaneously in Nicotiana tabacum using CRISPR/CAS9 technology results in auxin-related developmental defects.

The eukaryotic AGC protein kinase subfamily (protein kinase A/ protein kinase G/ protein kinase C-family) is involved in regulating numerous biological processes across kingdoms, including growth and development, and apoptosis. PDK1(3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1) is a conserved serine/threonine kinase in eukaryotes, which is both a member of AGC kinase and a major regulator of many other downstream AGC protein kinase family members. Although extensively investigated in model plant Arabidopsis, detailed reports for tobacco PDK1s have been limited.

Silencing Leads to Accelerated Senescence and Enhanced Disease Resistance in Soybean.

Autophagy plays a critical role in nutrient recycling/re-utilizing under nutrient deprivation conditions. However, the role of autophagy in soybeans has not been intensively investigated. In this study, the () gene in soybeans (referred to as ) was silenced using a virus-induced gene silencing approach mediated by (BPMV).

[Retracted] Isopsoralen‑mediated suppression of bone marrow adiposity and attenuation of the adipogenic commitment of bone marrow‑derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Following the publication of the above article, an interested reader drew to the authors' attention that Figs. 1C and 2 in the paper appeared to contain instances of duplicated data. The authors were able to consult their original data files, and realized that these figures had indeed been assembled incorrectly.

Insights into the ecological roles and evolution of methyl-coenzyme M reductase-containing hot spring Archaea.

Several recent studies have shown the presence of genes for the key enzyme associated with archaeal methane/alkane metabolism, methyl-coenzyme M reductase (Mcr), in metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) divergent to existing archaeal lineages. Here, we study the mcr-containing archaeal MAGs from several hot springs, which reveal further expansion in the diversity of archaeal organisms performing methane/alkane metabolism. Significantly, an MAG basal to organisms from the phylum Thaumarchaeota that contains mcr genes, but not those for ammonia oxidation or aerobic metabolism, is identified.

Disseminated cysticercosis in China with complex and variable clinical manifestations: a case series.

Background: Cysticercosis is an emerging and neglected tropical disease (NTD) that poses a serious public health concern worldwide. Disseminated cysticercosis (DCC) is an uncommon manifestation of cysticercosis, also found in China.

Case Presentation: We report three cases of DCC in patients living in China, with different clinical and radiological presentations.

Identification of potential whole blood MicroRNA biomarkers for the blood stage of adult imported falciparum malaria through integrated mRNA and miRNA expression profiling.

Correlating aberrant miRNA levels with imported malaria during the blood stage is required to better understand the in vivo biological and molecular processes that are involved in the response to Plasmodium falciparum infection and to find new biomarkers and diagnosis tools. We used a parallel microarray-based approach to investigate an integrated view of how the host miRNA expression profile changes in response to P. falciparum infection in whole blood obtained from six subjects with adult imported falciparum malaria (AIFM) and six normal subjects.

[Clinical features of imported schistosomiasis mansoni in Beijing City：a report of 6 cases].

Objective: To analyze the clinical features of 6 patients with imported schistosomiasis mansoni, including the epidemic history, clinical manifestations, laboratory tests and therapeutic effect, so as to provide references for improving the levels of diagnosis and treatment of physicians.

Methods: The clinical data of 6 patients with imported schistosomiasis mansoni from January 2009 to July 2016 were collected and analyzed.

Results: All the 6 imported patients with schistosomiasis mansoni had a clear history of cercarial infested water exposure.

Isopsoralen-mediated suppression of bone marrow adiposity and attenuation of the adipogenic commitment of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Osteoporosis (OP) increases the risk of bone fractures and other complications, and is thus a major clinical problem. In this study, we examined the effect of isopsoralen on the differentiation of bone-derived marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into osteoblasts and adipocytes, as well as bone formation under osteoporotic conditions. Primary femoral BMSCs isolated from C57BL/6 mice were used to evaluate the isopsoralen-mediated regulation of the expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OCN) and runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) during osteogenesis 2 weeks.

Tenuigenin promotes the osteogenic differentiation of bone mesenchymal stem cells in vitro and in vivo.

Osteoporosis, which is a systemic skeletal disease characterized by low bone mineral density and microarchitectural deterioration of bone quality, is a global and increasing public health problem. Recent studies have suggested that Tenuigenin (TEN), a class of native compounds with numerous biological activities such as anti-resorptive properties, exerts protective effects against postmenopausal bone loss. The present study aims to investigate the osteogenic effects of TEN on bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in vitro and in vivo.

Regulation of bone formation by baicalein via the mTORC1 pathway.

Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease that is characterized by low bone density and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue. The increasing prevalence of osteoporosis has attracted much attention. In this study, MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts were treated with the natural compound, baicalein (0.

[Interaction between Toxoplasma GRA7 dense granule protein and the protein from host macrophages].

Objective: To identify the protein from host macrophages which interacted with GRA7 dense granule protein of Toxoplasma gondii, and reveal the relationship between protein interaction and infection process.

Methods: The recombinant GRA7 protein with N-terminal GST tag were used as a bait in in vitro GST Pull-down experiment, the proteins of THP-1 monocytic macrophage cell line were captured and identified by LC-MS/MS proteomics method. The in vivo protein interaction was verified by Co-IP experiment The overexpression of the target host protein by pcDNA3.

Enhancement of the synthesis of n-3 PUFAs in fat-1 transgenic mice inhibits mTORC1 signalling and delays surgically induced osteoarthritis in comparison with wild-type mice.

Background: An exogenous supplement of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) has been reported to prevent osteoarthritis (OA) through undefined mechanisms.

Objective: This study investigated the effect of alterations in the composition of endogenous PUFAs on OA, and associations of PUFAs with mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signalling, a critical autophagy pathway in fat-1 transgenic (TG) mice.

Methods: fat-1 TG and wild-type mice were used to create an OA model by resecting the medial meniscus.

Endogenous n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) mitigate ovariectomy-induced bone loss by attenuating bone marrow adipogenesis in FAT1 transgenic mice.

Aim: To investigate the effect of endogenous n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on bone marrow adipogenesis under osteoporosis conditions.

Methods: A mouse osteoporosis model overexpressing the FAT1 gene from Caenorhabditis elegans and converting n-6 PUFAs to n-3 PUFAs endogenously was used.

Results: The mice presented significantly lower bone marrow adiposity (adipocyte volume/tissue volume, mean adipocyte number) but increased the bone parameters (bone mineral density, bone mineral content, bone volume/total volume) in the distal femoral metaphysis.

[Separation and identification of the surface and secreted proteins in Toxoplasma gondii by biotin labeling and proteomics methods].

Objective: To separate and identify the surface proteins and secreted proteins of Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites of RH strain.

Methods: T. gondii tachyzoites were cultured in Vero cells, and purified by filtration and Percoll cell separation solution.

Could heterotopic ossification be prevented by varying dietary n-3/n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio: a novel perspective to its treatment?

Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a common complication following with musculoskeletal trauma and surgical procedures. It usually decreases joint mobility and eventually causes loss of joint function. Despite nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), the inhibitor of cyclooxygenase(COX), have been proven to prevent HO effectively via prostaglandin E2 synthesis regulation and modulation of tissue responsiveness to pro-inflammatory signaling, HO prevention is still a matter of debate for clinicians to avoid the side effect of NSAIDs.

Intra-articular lentivirus-mediated insertion of the fat-1 gene ameliorates osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a gradually progressive degenerative disease characterized by gradual inflammatory loss of articular cartilage caused by increased proteolytic catabolism, mediated by interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs), aggrecanases and other proteinases, and reduced anabolism of cartilage components, contributed by interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-10 (IL-10), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). Substantial studies showed n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) exhibit a powerful anti-inflammatory effects in and ex vivo through reducing the production of IL-1 and TNF-α and increasing the expression of IL-4, IL-10, TGF-β and IGF-1 in OA. Meanwhile, more convincing results are observed in the fat-1 transgenic mice, which are exogenously inserted in a fat-1 gene from Caenorhabditis elegans, which can endogenously convert n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-6 PUFAs) to n-3 PUFAs.

Establishing a disc degeneration model using computed tomography-guided percutaneous puncture technique in the rabbit.

Background: Various animal models have been developed to investigate the complex mechanisms leading to intervertebral disc disorders and to evaluate the different therapeutic options. The needle puncture technique is commonly used to induce intervertebral degeneration in animal models. The present study aimed to establish a rabbit model of intervertebral disc degeneration using a simple, minimally invasive procedure.

Risedronate inhibits bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell adipogenesis and switches RANKL/OPG ratio to impair osteoclast differentiation.

Background: Osteoporosis is accompanied by an increase in bone marrow adipose tissue. Bone marrow adipogenesis has emerged as a therapeutic target for prevention of bone loss. Amino-bisphosphonates have been widely used for treatment of osteoporosis, but the mechanism through which amino-bisphosphonates inhibit osteoporosis remains unclear.

[Overview of global epidemiology and control of soil-transmitted helminth infections].

This paper summarizes the global situation of epidemiology and control of soil-transmitted helminth infections, in order to improve our understanding of the current status of soil-transmitted helminth infections, thus increasing human health and welfare.

[Hookworm disease induced upper gastrointestinal bleeding: a case report].

This paper reports a case of hookworm disease induced upper gastrointestinal bleeding which was misdiagnosed at the beginning, and analyzes the cause of misdiagnosis, so as to enhance our understanding of the epidemiology and clinical manifestations of hookworm infection, thus improve our ability on the diagnosis and treatment of hookworm infection.

[An epidemiologic study on Pneumocystis pneumonia in non-HIV infected patients in China].

Objective: To analyze the epidemiologic features of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) among non-HIV infected patients in China.

Methods: Sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) specimens obtained from 851 pneumonia patients without HIV infection from Jan. 2006 to Oct.