Ophiocordyceps sinensis is an important traditional Chinese medicine for its comprehensive active ingredients, such as cordycepin, cordycepic acid, and Cordyceps polysaccharide. O. sinensis zjut, a ...special strain isolated from O. sinensis, has similar pharmacological functions to wild O. sinensis. Currently, O. sinensis with artificial cultivation has been widely studied, but systematic fundamental research at protein levels has not been determined.
Proteomes of O. sinensis zjut at different culture periods (growth period, 3rd day; pre-stable period, 6th day; and stable period, 9th day) were relatively quantified by relative isotope markers and absolute quantitative technology. In total, 4005 proteins were obtained and further annotated with Gene Ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database. Based on the result of the annotations, metabolic pathways of active ingredients, amino acids and fatty acid were constructed, and the related enzymes were exhibited. Subsequently, comparative proteomics of O. sinensis zjut identified the differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) by growth in different culture periods, to find the important proteins involved in metabolic pathways of active ingredients. 605 DEPs between 6d-VS-3d, 1188 DEPs between 9d-VS-3d, and 428 DEPs between 9d-VS-6d were obtained, respectively.
This work provided scientific basis to study protein profile and comparison of protein expression levels of O. sinensis zjut, and it will be helpful for metabolic engineering works to active ingredients for exploration, application and improvement of this fungus.
Background
Sarcopenia is characterized by progressive loss of muscle mass and function due to aging. DNA methylation has been identified to play important roles in the dysfunction of skeletal muscle. ...The aim of our present study was to explore the whole blood sample‐based methylation changes of skeletal muscle function‐related factors in patients with sarcopenia.
Methods
The overall DNA methylation levels were analysed by using MethlTarget™ DNA Methylation Analysis platform in a discovery set consistent of 50 sarcopenic older adults (aged ≥65 years) and 50 age‐ and sex‐matched non‐sarcopenic individuals. The candidate differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were further validated by Methylation‐specific PCR (MSP) in another two independent larger sets and confirmed by pyrosequencing. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the optimum cut‐off levels of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2)_30 methylation best predicting sarcopenia and area under the ROC curve (AUC) was measured. The correlation between candidate DMRs and the risk of sarcopenia was investigated by univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis.
Results
Among 1149 cytosine‐phosphate‐guanine (CpG) sites of 27 skeletal muscle function‐related secretary factors, 17 differentially methylated CpG sites and 7 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were detected between patients with sarcopenia and control subjects in the discovery set. Further methylation‐specific PCR identified that methylation of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2)_30 was lower in patients with sarcopenia and the level was decreased as the severity of sarcopenia increased, which was confirmed by pyrosequencing. Correlation analysis demonstrated that the methylation level of FGF2_30 was positively correlated to ASMI (r = 0.372, P < 0.001), grip strength (r = 0.334, P < 0.001), and gait speed (r = 0.411, P < 0.001). ROC curve analysis indicated that the optimal cut‐off value of FGF2_30 methylation level that predicted sarcopenia was 0.15 with a sensitivity of 84.6% and a specificity of 70.1% (AUC = 0.807, 95% CI = 0.756–0.858, P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that lower FGF2_30 methylation level (<0.15) was significantly associated with increased risk of sarcopenia even after adjustment for potential confounders including age, sex, and BMI (adjusted OR = 9.223, 95% CI: 6.614–12.861, P < 0.001).
Conclusions
Our results suggest that lower FGF2_30 methylation is correlated with the risk and severity of sarcopenia in the older adults, indicating that FGF2 methylation serve as a surrogate biomarker for the screening and evaluation of sarcopenia.
Notoginsenoside R1 (NGR1) is the main monomeric component extracted from the dried roots and rhizomes of Panax notoginseng, and exerts pharmacological action against myocardial infarction (MI). Owing ...to the differences in compound distribution, absorption, and metabolism
in vivo
, exploring a more effective drug delivery system with a high therapeutic targeting effect is crucial. In the early stages of MI, CD11b-expressing monocytes and neutrophils accumulate at infarct sites. Thus, we designed a mesoporous silica nanoparticle-conjugated CD11b antibody with loaded NGR1 (MSN-NGR1-CD11b antibody), which allowed NGR1 precise targeted delivery to the heart in a noninvasively manner. By increasing targeting to the injured myocardium, intravenous injection of MSN-NGR1-CD11b antibody nanoparticle in MI mice improved cardiac function and angiogenesis, reduced cell apoptosis, and regulate macrophage phenotype and inflammatory factors and chemokines. In order to further explore the mechanism of NGR1 protecting myocardium, cell oxidative stress model and oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) model were established. NGR1 protected H9C2 cells and primary cardiomyocytes against oxidative injury induced by H
2
O
2
and OGD treatment. Further network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses suggested that the AKT, MAPK and Hippo signaling pathways were involved in the regulation of NGR1 in myocardial protection. Indeed, NGR1 could elevate the levels of
p
-Akt and
p
-ERK, and promote the nuclear translocation of YAP. Furthermore, LY294002 (AKT inhibitor), U0126 (ERK1/2 inhibitor) and Verteporfin (YAP inhibitor) administration in H9C2 cells indicated the involvement of AKT, MAPK and Hippo signaling pathways in NGR1 effects. Meanwhile, MSN-NGR1-CD11b antibody nanoparticles enhanced the activation of AKT and MAPK signaling pathways and the nuclear translocation of YAP at the infarcted site. Our research demonstrated that MSN-NGR1-CD11b antibody nanoparticle injection after MI enhanced the targeting of NGR1 to the infarcted myocardium and improved cardiac function. More importantly, our pioneering research provides a new strategy for targeting drug delivery systems to the ischemic niche.
NGR1 protected H9C2 cells and primary cardiomyocytes against oxidative injury induced by H
2
O
2
and OGD treatment. MSN-NGR1-CD11b antibody nanoparticle injection after MI enhanced the targeting of NGR1 to the infarcted myocardium and improved cardiac function by activating PIK3/AKT, MAPK/ERK and YAP signaling pathways.
Image 1
•
CD11b antibody modification enhanced the target of Mesoporous silica nanoparticles to injured myocardium.
•
NGR1 promoted the survival of H9C2 against oxidative stress injury through PIK3/AKT, MAPK/ERK and YAP signaling pathways.
•
NGR1 protected neonatal and adult cardiomyocytes from H
2
O
2
and OGD induced oxidative stress damage.
•
MSN-NGR1-CD11b antibody nanoparticles improved heart function by activating PIK3/AKT, MAPK/ERK and YAP signaling pathways.
•
MSN-NGR1-CD11b antibody nanoparticles induced M2 polarization of macrophages and regulated the inflammatory factors.
Although zinc‐ion batteries are regarded as important alternatives for Li‐ion batteries, the dendrite issues and side reactions are major obstacles for their development. Here, inspired by the idea ...of electrolyte modification, a simple and low‐cost approach, that methanol is used as additive into Zn2+‐containing electrolyte for long‐life Zn ion batteries, was developed. Methanol can mix with water in any ratio through the formation of hydrogen bonds, which participates in the solvation shell of Zn2+ ion in a manner of forming the Zn(OH2)x(CH3OH)y2+ cations. The interaction between Zn2+, methanol and water can effectively suppress the side reactions. As a result, Zn/Zn symmetric cell shows a long‐term stability for over 480 h at 1 mA cm−2 with 1 mAh cm−2. In addition, full battery based on the MnO2 cathode exhibits an improved capacity retention after 100 cycles at 0.1 A g−1 and an excellent electrochemical performance at low temperature.
Easy electrolyte modification: Methanol is first employed as additive for Zn2+‐containing electrolyte for long‐life Zn ion batteries. Here, methanol can mix with water in any ratio through the formation of hydrogen bonds, which participates in the solvation shell of Zn2+ ion in a manner of forming the Zn(OH2)x(CH3OH)y2+ cations. The interaction between Zn2+, methanol and water can effectively suppress the side reactions.
Background
Southeast Asia, together with tropical Africa, Madagascar, South India and Sri Lanka, and the eastern Himalayas, are the five primary hotspots of species diversity of
Impatiens
...(Balsaminaceae). China is also rich in
Impatiens
species, especially in the limestone karsts or ‘Danxia’ landforms. With zygomorphic flowers and diverse corolla morphology and color, the species in
Impatiens
are well-known for their ornamental use, but they are also notorious in taxonomy. During the preparation of revision of
Impatiens
in Zhejiang and adjacent regions, an unknown species was collected from Mt. Wuyi in Fujian Province, Southeast China.
Results
Phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear ITS, chloroplast
atp
B-
rbc
L and
trn
L-F sequences, together with micromorphology of pollen grains and seed coats, strongly supported the close relationship of the new species with
Impatiens platysepala
Y.L.Chen and
I. chloroxantha
Y.L.Chen. In turn, both molecular data and morphological characters also were sufficient to distinguish the new species from the other two counterparts.
Conclusions
Our detailed morphological observations and molecular phylogenetic analyses support the recognition of
Impatiens wuyiensis
as a species new to science.
The research was conducted to investigate the accumulation, distribution and availability of Cd in paddy soil and their relation to Cd in rice plants under 30-year fertilization regimes. Six ...treatments were involved in the study: control without fertilization (CK), chemical fertilizer (NPK), high nitrogen chemical fertilizer (HN), rice straw incorporation (ST), low and high dosage of manure fertilizer (LM and HM). Total and DTPA extractable concentration of Cd (T-Cd and DTPA-Cd) in bulk soils (20 cm topsoil), profiles (0–60 cm) and aggregates (>2, 1–2, 0.5–1, 0.25–0.5, 0.053–0.25 and < 0.053 mm) were investigated. The Cd concentration in relevant rice plant (roots, stems, leaves, husks and grains) were also analyzed. Manure fertilizers caused T-Cd accumulation in bulk soil with a significant increase of 36.2% in LM and 81.2% in HM. Similar impacts of manure fertilizers were observed in DTPA-Cd in the bulk soil. Further, the HM generated a further accumulation in deeper soil layers, presenting a remarkable increase of T-Cd (28.3%–225%) in 10–40 cm and DTPA-Cd (116%–158%) in 10–30 cm profiles. Moreover, the continuous application of manure fertilizers enhanced the availability of Cd in all aggregate size classes with an increase of 17.3%–87.8% in DTPA-Cd. Organic fertilizers (LM, HM and ST) heightened the content of Cd (38.0%–152%) in all parts of rice plant. The accumulation of Cd in rice plants was directly affected by fertilization regimes and Cd availability in the 10–20 cm soil layers and 0.25–0.5 mm aggregates. In conclusion, long-term application of manures resulted in increasing availability of Cd in aggregates and in topsoil and subsoil layers, which accordingly enhanced the accumulation of Cd in rice plants.
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•Manure fertilizers were important sources of Cd in continuous fertilized paddy soil.•Manure fertilizers caused DTPA-Cd accumulation and migration downward in 0–30 cm layers.•Continuous fertilization regimes enhanced redistribution of Cd in macro-aggregates.•Cd in rice was related to DTPA-Cd in 10–20 cm profiles and 0.25–0.5 mm aggregates.
Cd accumulation in rice plants was directly affected by fertilization methods and Cd availability in the 0.25–0.5 mm aggregates and 10–20 cm soil layers.
In this comprehensive study, based on extensive taxon sampling, we performed phylogenomic analyses of plastome and nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) datasets. We employed multiple inference methods, ...including concatenated and coalescent‐based strategies, to generate an accurate phylogeny of the woody Rosaceae genus Pourthiaea. The nrDNA phylogeny of Pourthiaea strongly supports three major clades, which are consistent with morphology. However, the plastid tree provides an alternative phylogenetic topology, indicating cytonuclear discordance which could be explained by frequent hybridizations between and among the species of Pourthiaea. Considering evidence from morphology and phylogenomic data, we propose a new infrageneric classification for Pourthiaea, consisting of three sections: P. sect. Pourthiaea, P. sect. Amphidoxae sect. nov., and P. sect. Impressivenae sect. nov.
To develop objective methods of oolong tea grading for importers and customs, metabolomics and sensory evaluation were applied to screen the characteristic compounds associated with Tieguanyin (TGY) ...tea grades T, 1, 2, and 3, and types (fresh scent flavor and high fragrance). With decreasing TGY grade/quality, the astringency and content of most flavonoid glycosides increased (especially catechin and epicatechin). The floral aroma of fresh scent flavor TGY decreased, and the roasted aroma of high-fragrance TGY increased with decreasing TGY grade. Five non-volatile compounds (epicatechin gallate, quercetin-3-O-galactoside, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside, epicatechin, and gallocatechin) and five volatile compounds (benzyl benzoate, β-phenylethyl acetate, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, heptanal, and (E)-2-hexenal) were identified, which could readily distinguish different grades of fresh scent flavor and high fragrance TGY by quantitative chemical analysis. Lower grades of TGY had inferior flavor, but higher antioxidant capacity.
•Sensory evaluation and metabolomics were combined for Tieguanyin grade analysis.•As Tieguanyin grades decreased, the astringency increased.•Ten compounds were identified as the key metabolites for Tieguanyin grades.•Low-grade tea has higher antioxidant capacity due to more polyphenols.
Ophiocordyceps sinensis
has been used as a traditional medicine or healthy food in China for thousands of years.
Hirsutella sinensis
was reported as the only correct anamorph of
O. sinensis
. It is ...reported that the laboratory-grown
H. sinensis
mycelium has similar clinical efficacy and less associated toxicity compared to the wild
O. sinensis
. The research of the
H. sinensis
is becoming more and more important and urgent. To gain deeper insight into the biological and pharmacological mechanisms, we sequenced the genome of
H. sinensis
. The genome of
H. sinensis
(102.72 Mb) was obtained for the first time, with > 99% coverage. 10,200 protein-encoding genes were predicted based on the genome sequence. A detailed secondary metabolism analysis and structure verification of the main ingredients were performed, and the biosynthesis pathways of seven ingredients (mannitol, cordycepin, purine nucleotides, pyrimidine nucleotides, unsaturated fatty acid, cordyceps polysaccharide and sphingolipid) were predicted and drawn. Furthermore, infection process and mechanism of
H. sinensis
were studied and elaborated in this article. The enzymes involved in the infection mechanism were also predicted, cloned and expressed to verify the mechanism. The genes and proteins were predicted and annotated based on the genome sequence. The pathways of several active components in
H. sinensis
were predicted and key enzymes were confirmed. The work presented here would improve the understanding of the genetic basis of this organism, and contribute to further research, production and application of
H. sinensis
.
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