Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has been shown to be associated with high risk of diabetes in offspring. However, the mechanisms involved and the possibilities of transgenerational transmission are still unclear. We intercrossed male and female adult control and first-generation offspring of GDM (F1-GDM) mice to obtain the second-generation (F2) offspring in four groups: C♂-C♀, C♂-GDM♀, GDM♂-C♀, and GDM♂-GDM♀. We found that birth weight significantly increased in F2 offspring through the paternal line with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Regardless of birth from F1-GDM with or without IGT, high risk of IGT appeared as early as 3 weeks in F2 offspring and progressed through both parental lineages, especial the paternal line. IGT in male offspring was more obvious than that in females, with parental characteristics and sex-specific transmission. In both F1 and F2 offspring of GDM, the expression of imprinted genes Igf2 and H19 was downregulated in pancreatic islets, caused by abnormal methylation status of the differentially methylated region, which may be one of the mechanisms for impaired islet ultrastructure and function. Furthermore, altered Igf2 and H19 gene expression was found in sperm of adult F1-GDM, regardless of the presence of IGT, indicating that changes of epigenetics in germ cells contributed to transgenerational transmission.

Background:Roles of SoxC genes in the development of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are unknown at present. Results: Targeted deletion of Sox4 and Sox11 in retina results in a complete loss of RGCs. Conclusion: Sox4 and Sox11 function redundantly to regulate RGC development. Significance: These findings highlight the essential role of SoxC genes in retinal development.

Cyano-substituted oligo (alpha-phenylenevinylene)-1,4-bis(R-cyano-4-diphenylaminostyryl)-2,5-diphenylbenzene (CNDPASDB) molecules are studied in solution and aggregate state by time-resolved fluorescence techniques. CNDPASDB exhibits a strong solvent polarity dependent characteristic of aggregation-induced emission (AIE). By time-dependent spectra, the gradual transition from local excited state to intramolecular charge transfer state with the increasing solvent polarity is clearly resolved. The transition time in high polarity solvent DMF is very fast, around 0.5 ps, resulting in a low fluorescence quantum yield. While in aggregate state, the intramolecular torsion is restricted and the local environment becomes less polar. Thus, the intramolecular charge transfer state is eliminated and efficient AIE occurs.