In this report, we examined the gene expression related to carotenoid transport for a silkworm F1 hybrid with yellow cocoon generated by crossing two white-cocoon strains, Qiubai and 12-260. Our ...results showed that, in Qiubai, Cameo2, a transmembrane protein gene belonging to the CD36 family genes, was expressed normally in the silk gland, but no intact carotenoid-binding protein (CBP) mRNA (only the truncated CBP mRNA) was detected in the midgut. In 12-260, we detected the intact CBP mRNA expression in the midgut, but no Cameo2 expression in the silk gland. Regarding the F1 hybrid from crossing Qiubai and 12-260, both Cameo2 and intact CBP mRNA expressed normally in the silk gland and midgut. HPLC detection confirmed that in the F1 hybrid the carotenoids could be absorbed from dietary mulberry leaves through the midgut and transferred to silk gland via the hemolymph, which eventually colored cocoons into yellow. We also identified four CBP mRNA isoforms expressed in the midgut of the F1 hybrid, subsequently named as variants 5–8. Our results provide further evidences for the roles of Cameo2 and CBP in the formation of yellow cocoon of silkworm.
•A silkworm F1 hybrid from crossing two white-cocoon strains produce yellow cocoon.•CBP and Cameo2 are two of the crucial genes in the producing of yellow cocoon.•Cameo2 expression was undetected in silkgland of silkworm strain named 12-260.•There was no intact form of CBP mRNA detected in a silkworm strain with white-blood.•There were at least 4 types of CBP mRNA detected in a silkworm F1 hybrid.
In this study, we investigated the signalling pathways mediating tryptophan (Trp)-promoted β-defensin-2 (BD-2) expression in rat intestinal mucosa. Sprague Dawley rats were administered with
l
-Trp ...and treated with rapamycin (RAPA), 1-methyltryptophan (1-MT), or
para
-chlorophenyl-amine (PCPA) to inhibit mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), or tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH), respectively. The mRNA and protein levels of BD-2 in the jejunal and ileal mucosa of rats increased with administration of
l
-Trp. Intraperitoneal injection of RAPA significantly decreased the mRNA level of BD-2 and the concentrations of
p
-mTORC1 and BD-2 in the jejunal and ileal mucosa of rats with administration of
l
-Trp (
P
< 0.05). Oral administration of 1-MT decreased the IDO activity and the mRNA and protein levels of BD-2, and increased the concentrations of tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-17, and IL-22 in the jejunal and ileal mucosa of rats with administration of
l
-Trp (
P
< 0.05). Intraperitoneal injection of PCPA decreased the TPH activity and increased the mRNA and protein levels of BD-2, but did not change the concentrations of TNF-α, IL-17, or IL-22 in the jejunal and ileal mucosa of rats with administration of
l
-Trp. The results indicate the Trp-promoted BD-2 expression in the jejunum and ileum
via
the mTOR pathway and its metabolites: kynurenine banding to aryl hydrocarbon receptor in rat intestine.
In this study, we investigated the signalling pathways mediating tryptophan (Trp)-promoted β-defensin-2 (BD-2) expression in rat intestinal mucosa.
Highlights ► BMP4 and Noggin play key roles in the proliferation/quiescence balance of the neural stem cells in the adult hippocampus. ► The hippocampal neurogenesis is changed in AD. ► BMP4 and ...Noggin are disturbed in the hippocampus of AD patients. ► Modulating hippocampus neurogenesis through BMP4/Noggin pathway possibly represents a promising strategy for AD therapy.
Defects constructing net-like cell structures in 4-in semi-insulating gallium arsenide single crystal were studied by the method of chemical etching, X-ray anomalous transmission topography, and ...transmission electron microscopy. The nature and the formation mechanism of these structures were analyzed. It is assumed that the cell structures are a cluster of small-angle grain boundaries caused by the movement and interaction of high density of dislocations, the cell wall is the typical small-angle grain boundary. The phase difference among the small-angle grain boundaries increases with the density of dislocations.
Oxide precipitation behavior in heavily doped silicon after rapid thermal process (RTP) in Ar ambient was investigated. The samples were heavily B-, As- and Sb-doped wafers with a diameter of 150
mm, ...the concentration of interstitial oxygen was between 6 and 26
ppm. RTP temperatures were changed from 1200 to 1260
°C. The experiment showed that (1) High-density oxygen precipitates (above 10
5/cm
2) were found in heavily B-doped wafer, denuded zone was found only at 1260
°C, (2) compared to the heavily B-doped wafers, the densities of oxygen precipitates in heavily As- and Sb-doped wafers were rather low. The formation of oxygen precipitates was restrained. The reason is discussed in this paper.
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the dysfunction or loss of a vulnerable group of neurons. At present, only a few options exist for treating neurodegenerative diseases effectively. ...Advances in stem cell research have raised the hope and possibility for therapy in neurodegenerative diseases. In AD transgenic animal models, stem cell transplantation has been demonstrated to reverse behavioral deficits. Our recent study demonstrates that neural precursor cells, derived from embryonic stem (ES) cells, improve memory dysfunction in rats caused by injections of amyloid-β peptide (1-40) (Aβ₁₋₄₀) in the dorsal hippocampus. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. The present study tests a murine ES cell-based transplantation approach in rats subjected to Aβ₁₋₄₀ injection into the hippocampus dentate gyrus. Efficacy of cell therapy with regard to graft survival, neuronal yield and diversity, synapse formation of the grafted cells, and the behavioral improvements was determined after transplanting ES cell-derived neural precursors into the hippocampus of adult rats. Here, we show that grafted cells can survive, and differentiate with high yield into immunohistochemically mature glial cells and neurons of diverse neurotransmitter-subtypes. More importantly, transplanted cells demonstrate characteristics of proper synapse formation between host and grafted neural cells. Thus, our observations show that an ES cell-based transplantation approach may be promising in the treatment of AD.
In this paper, the theory analysis and experiments on the semiconductor silicon crystal growth under the equivalent micro-gravity, which induced by a permanent magnetic field, were investigated. The ...experimental results show that the crystal growth in the equivalent micro-gravity is similar to that in the space. The homogeneity of doping and the oxygen concentration in CZSi by using the permanent magnetic field, can be improved, because of restriction of the convection, compared with the crystal growth in the conventional CZ method. Diffusion kinetics are dominated during movement of mass in melt under the equivalent micro-gravity, different from that in the conventional CZ method.
The behavior of oxygen precipitation in heavily doped silicon was investigated. The experimental results showed that the behavior of oxygen precipitation in heavily doped silicon is not only related ...to initial oxygen concentration, but also is affected by dopant species. The growth of oxygen precipitation was not affected by dopant type. Dopant species only influenced the nucleation of oxygen precipitation, and the time of precipitate nucleus formation is shorter in P
+ samples than in N
+ samples. The morphology of oxygen precipitation is independent of dopant type and only depends on the heat-treatment cycles. Considering the hanging bond on the interface of Si–SiO
x
at precipitates embryo and amending the free energy item, an expression of nucleation critical radius associated with dopant species was derived, and the dependent relationship of oxygen precipitation behavior in heavily doped silicon and dopant species was explained by this model. Moreover, an effective intrinsic gettering cycle with suitable width of denuded zone in heavily Sb-doped silicon samples was obtained in order to reduce or eliminate the metallic impurities and unwanted defects in the surface of substrate and device active regions.
Traditionally, oil-filled transformers have utilized densified cellulose paper as the primary conductor insulation. However, cellulosic insulation is a relatively low temperature material and thermal ...degradation due to overload conditions and long-term aging can lead to transformer failures. In order to improve the structure and insulation performance of oil-filled transformers, this paper choose 4 insulation materials with special applications to research, electrical properties of polymer before and after aged under 130°C at different times have been examined, the examined dielectric parameters are dielectric constant, dissipation factor and ac electric breakdown strength. The characteristics of dielectric constant and dissipation factor versus temperature before and after aged under 130°C at different times have been analyzed. Preliminary results show that PTFE and Polycarbonate are ideal substitutes of cellulose paper.
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