Integrated metabolomics and transcriptomic analysis reveals metabolic changes of flavor compounds of Camellia assamica host plant after parasitized by Viscumarticulatum.

Tea is one of the most popular beverages, it has many health benefits and flavor properties due to the presence of numerous secondary metabolites. Camellia assamica is also a main source of tea, which is mainly planted in the regions of southwest China. In this study, a non-targeted and targeted metabolomics analysis and sensory evaluation on tea leaves with and without mistletoe (Viscum articulatum) was carried out using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Immunogenicity and immunoprotection of the functional TL-HN fragment derived from tetanus toxin.

Tetanus toxin (TeNT) is a protein toxin produced by Clostridium tetani bacteria, which causes hyperreflexia and rhabdomyolysis by spastic paralysis. Like botulinum neurotoxin, TeNT comprises a heavy chain (HC) and a light chain (LC) linked via an interchain disulfide bond, which include the following three functional domains: a receptor-binding domain (Hc), a translocation domain (HN), and a catalytic domain (LC). Herein, we produced and characterized three functional domains of TeNT and three types of TeNT-derived L-HN fragments (TL-HN, TL-GS-HN and TL-2A-HN), which contained L and HN domains but lacked the Hc domain.

Tetanus toxin and botulinum neurotoxin-derived fusion molecules are effective bivalent vaccines.

Tetanus toxin (TeNT) and botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are neuroprotein toxins, with the latter being the most toxic known protein. They are structurally similar and contain three functional domains: an N-terminal catalytic domain (light chain), an internal heavy-chain translocation domain (HN domain), and a C-terminal heavy chain receptor binding domain (Hc domain or RBD). In this study, fusion functional domain molecules consisting of the TeNT RBD (THc) and the BoNT/A RBD (AHc) (i.

Evaluation of trabecular meshwork-specific promoters and using scAAV2 vectors expressing C3 transferase.

Aim: To evaluate the potential of two trabecular meshwork (TM)-specific promoters, Chitinase 3-like 1 (Ch3L1) and matrix gla protein (MGP), for improving specificity and safety in glaucoma gene therapy based on self-complementary AAV2 (scAAV2) vector technologies.

Methods: An scAAV2 vector with C3 transferase (C3) as the reporter gene (scAAV2-C3) was selected. The scAAV2-C3 vectors were driven by Ch3L1 (scAAV2-Ch3L1-C3), MGP (scAAV2-MGP-C3), enhanced MGP (scAAV2-eMGP-C3) and cytomegalovirus (scAAV2-CMV-C3), respectively.

Biology activity and characterization of the functional L-HN fragment derivative of botulinum neurotoxin serotype E.

Objectives: The mature botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) is a long peptide chain consisting of a light chain (L) and a heavy chain (H) linked by a disulfide bond, where the heavy chain is divided into a translocation domain and an acceptor binding domain (Hc). In this study, we further explored the biology activity and characteristics of recombinant L-HN fragment (EL-HN) composed of the L and HN domains of BoNT/E in vivo and in vitro.

Methods: Neurotoxicity of L-HN fragments from botulinum neurotoxins was assessed in mice.

Novel homozygous missense variant in Weill-Marchesani syndrome.

Aim: To explore the phenotype and genotype of Weill-Marchesani syndrome (WMS) in a Chinese family and review related literature.

Methods: Three WMS patients and other unaffected individuals in this family with a history of consanguineous marriage were included in this study. Medical history, comprehensive ophthalmic examinations, and systemic evaluation, as well as whole exome and Sanger sequencing of specific genomic regions, were performed.

[Characteristics of Soil Carbon, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Ecological Stoichiometry in Vegetable Fields and Orchard in the Coastal Area of Fuzhou].

The soil ecological stoichiometric characteristics of different agricultural land use types have a certain indicator function for characterizing the level of soil nutrient supply and are of great significance to the management of nutrient resources in farmland ecosystems. In order to reveal the soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) contents and their ecological stoichiometric characteristics in different vegetable fields and orchard agricultural land use types, this study took vegetable fields (taro field and jicama field) and orchards (citrus tree orchard, watermelon field, and pear tree orchard) as the research objects in the coastal area of Fuzhou City. The contents of soil C, N, and P and their ecological stoichiometric characteristics in different vegetable fields and orchard agricultural land uses were measured and analyzed.

A mutated associated with congenital coralliform cataracts in two Chinese pedigrees.

Aim: To investigate the causal gene mutation and clinical characteristics for two Chinese families with autosomal dominant congenital coralliform cataract.

Methods: Two Chinese pedigrees with congenital cataract were investigated. Routine ophthalmic examinations were performed on all patients and non-affected family members.

Evaluation and application of donors with primary central nervous system tumors.

Background: This study aimed to explore the safety of donors with primary central nervous system tumors for kidney and liver transplantations.

Methodology: Clinical data of 29 donors with primary CNS tumors in January 2007 to December 2017, as well as the follow-up data of 16 liver transplant recipients and 46 kidney transplant recipients, were analyzed. According to the risk factors, the high-risk group was classified as Group 1, the low-risk factors were classified as Group 2, and the unknown risk group was classified as Group 3.

An analytical model for the growth and migration of a transverse dune.

The growth and migration speed formulae for a 2-d transverse dune are derived under the assumptions of shape similarity, the near surface airflow independent of height, and the 100% sand trapping efficiency of lee face during dune evolution. Although very simple, this analytical model can quantificationally reflect the field investigations of barchan migrations and the chronological data of mega-dune growth.

Risk of glomerular filtration rate decline in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and obstructive sleep apnoea.

Sleep apnoea is associated with chronic kidney diseases. A high obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) prevalence is shown in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Whether the presence of OSA would affect the renal function of patients with HCM is unknown.

A novel mutation in fibrillin-1 gene identified in a Chinese family with marfan syndrome.

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is an autosomal dominant inheritary disorder of the connective tissue. We report clinical features of a Chinese family with MFS and identify mutations in fibrillin-1 gene (FBN1). In this study, all three members of this family underwent complete ophthalmologic examinations.

[Research progress of the side effect of the prostaglandin drugs].

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness , second to cataract. Lowering intraocular pressure is the most effective therapeutic means for this disease, with prostaglandin analogs as the first-line medication. These drugs are efficacious and safe, with well-tolerated local adverse effects.

Single nucleotide polymorphism of MYOC affected the severity of primary open angle glaucoma.

Aim: To detect the mutations in two candidate genes, myocilin (MYOC) and cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1), in a Chinese family with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG).

Methods: The family was composed of three members, the parents and a daughter. All members of the family underwent complete ophthalmologic examinations.

Studies of a pedigree with limbal dermoid cyst.

Aim: To study clinical features and gene mutations within the paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 2 (PITX2) gene in a pedigree of bilateral limbal dermoids.

Methods: Complete eye examinations have been performed on each individual of the family. Exons of paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 2 (PITX2) were amplified by polymerase chain reaction, sequenced, and compared with a reference database.

Experimental Tibetan monkey domestication and its application for intraocular pressure measurement.

Aim: To train Tibetan monkey (Macaca thibetana) for intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement in conscious state and obtain normal IOP in conscious Tibetan Macaque.

Methods: The training was based on award-conditioned behavior. Food stimulation and human-animal interaction were used in this training.

Effects of HepII domain peptides V of fibronectin on corneal permeability, endothelial cells, intraocular pressure and morphology of trabecular meshwork in rats.

Background: Trabecular meshwork (TM) cell volume may be an important determinant of aqueous humor outflow in the eye. This study aimed to evaluate the role of HepII domain peptides V on corneal permeability, corneal endothelial cells, intraocular pressure (IOP) and morphology of trabecular meshwork in rats.

Methods: The IOP of rat eyes was measured before and 3, 5, 7 and 8 hours after topical delivery of HepII domain peptides V through intracameral injections.

[Is glaucoma a central nervous system disease: re-evaluation].

Glaucoma is a typical optic neuropathy mainly caused by elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). In recent years, with the advances in understanding of glaucoma and visual sciences, and the development of a neurological cross-discipline and neuroimaging technology, the question about the nature of glaucoma has been raised. Is glaucoma merely an ocular disease? Is it a disease that begins from the eye, and then involves the whole visual pathway? Or is it a particular central nervous disease, which manifests itself in the eye? The answers to these questions are controversial.

TGFBI gene mutation analysis in a Chinese pedigree of Avellino corneal dystrophy.

Aim: To analyze phenotype and genotype of a Chinese pedigree with Avellino corneal dystrophy (ACD).

Methods: Complete ophthalmic examinations were performed on all the family members. Exons of TGFBI were amplified by polymerase chain reaction, sequenced, and compared with a reference database.

Inhibition of latrunculin-A on dexamethasone-induced fibronectin production in cultured human trabecular meshwork cells.

Aim: To determine the effects of a low dose latrunculin (LAT)-A on dexamethasone (Dex)-induced upregulation of extracellular matrix proteins fibronectin (FN) in cultured human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells.

Methods: HTM cells were cultured to confluent and incubated with 0.4µmol/L Dex and/or 0.

Arg124Cys mutation of the TGFBI gene in a Chinese pedigree of Reis-Bücklers corneal dystrophy.

Aim: To analyze mutations in transforming growth factor beta-induced (TGFBI) gene in a Chinese pedigree with Reis-Bücklers corneal dystrophy (RBCD, also known as GCD3).

Methods: In a five-generation Chinese family, eight members were identified with RBCD and the rest were unaffected. All members of the family underwent complete ophthalmologic examinations.

[Experimental study on effects of Heparin II domain of fibronectin on cultured human trabecular meshwork cells].

Objective: To determine the effects of Heparin II (Hep II) domain on cultured human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells.

Methods: HTM cells were cultured and treated with Hep II domain for 18 and 24 h. The morphological changes in HTM cells were assessed by light and electron microscopy.