阿特拉津降解菌ATR3的分离鉴定与土壤修复

阿特拉津因效率高、价格低廉,是我国玉米田施用最广泛的除草剂之一,但其结构稳定,残留时间长,因此对生态环境和人类健康造成了一定的危害。从长期受阿特拉津污染的玉米田土壤中筛选并鉴定阿特拉津降解菌,明确其在不同类型土壤中的去除能力。对分离出的阿特拉津降解菌ATR3进行生理生化分析和16S rRNA序列鉴定,确定菌株ATR3为节杆菌属（Arthrobacter sp.）。该菌株以阿特拉津为唯一氮源,培养48 h后对1 000 mg/L阿特拉津的去除率达到97%以上。敏感作物盆栽试验结果表明,阿特拉津在棕壤上去除最快,褐土次之,黑土最慢,说明阿特拉津在土壤中的去除过程与土壤本身的理化性质呈相关关系。同时,该菌株处理14 d后,能明显恢复玉米的各项生物学指标,说明该菌株对阿特拉津污染土壤具有良好的修复能力。为阿特拉津降解菌剂的推广利用提供参考。     

幼虫密度和温度对水芹叶象甲未成熟阶段生长发育的影响

[目的]为明确不同幼虫密度和不同温度条件对水芹叶象甲Hypera sp.未成熟阶段生长发育的影响.[方法]在室内条件下对不同幼虫饲养密度和不同温度条件饲养的水芹叶象甲未成熟阶段(卵、幼虫、预蛹和蛹)的存活和生长发育进行研究.[结果]幼虫密度对水芹叶象甲幼虫、预蛹和蛹的存活和生长发育均具有显著影响.水芹叶象甲幼虫、预蛹和蛹在50头/盒的密度条件下的存活率均显著高于其它密度条件,且发育历期显著短于其它密度条件.此外,各密度条件下的雌蛹重均显著重于雄蛹重,但性比(♀/♂)不受密度条件的影响.温度条件对水芹叶象甲卵、幼虫、预蛹和蛹的存活和生长发育亦均具有显著影响.27℃条件下的幼虫和蛹的存活率均显著高于其它温度条件,1龄幼虫在30℃条件下的存活率显著高于其它温度条件,而3龄幼虫在27℃条件下的存活率显著高于其它温度条件,但温度条件对2龄幼虫的存活率无显著影响.水芹叶象甲各龄期幼虫及各虫态的发育历期随着温度升高而显著缩短.[结论]幼虫饲养密度和温度是影响水芹叶象甲种群变化的重要因子,这将为分析水芹叶象甲种群动态变化规律,以 及提高该虫的预测预报和综合防控水平提供依据.     

Synthesis of the 2′-,3′-Didehydro-2′-,3′-dideoxy and 2′-,3′-Dideoxy Derivatives of 6-Azauridine and a New Route to 2′-,3′-Didehydro-2′-,3′-dideoxy-5-chlorouridine

Abstract

The 5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl) and 5′-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl) derivatives of 2′-,3′-O-thiocarbonyl-6-azauridine and 2′,3′-O-thiocarbonyl-5-chlorouridine were synthesized from the parent nucleosides by reaction with 4, 4′-dimethoxytrityl chloride and tert-butyldimethylsilyl chloride, respectively, followed by treatment with 1,1′-thiocarbonyldiimidazole. Introduction of a 2′-,3′-double bond into the sugar ring by reaction of the 5′-protected 2′-,3′-O-thionocarbonates with 1, 3-dimethyl-2-phenyl-1, 3, 2-diazaphospholidiine was unsuccessful, but could be accomplished satisfactorily with trimethyl phosphite. Reactions were generally more successful with the 5′-silylated than with the 5′-tritylated nucleosides. Formation of 2′-,3′-O-thiocarbonyl derivatives proceeded in higher yield with 5′-protected 6-azauridines than with the corresponding 5-chlorouridines because of the propensity of the latter to form 2,2′-anhydro derivatives. In the reaction of 5′-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-2′-,3′-O-thiocarbonyl-6-azauridine with trimethyl phosphite, introduction of the double bond was accompanied by N³-methylation. However this side reaction was not a problem with 5′-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-2′-, 3′-O-thioarbonyl-5-chlorouridine. Treatment of 5′-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-2′-, 3′-didehydro-2′-,3′-dideoxy-6-azauridine with tetrabutylammonium fluoride followed by hydrogenation afforded 2′-,3′-dideoxy-6-azauridine. Deprotection of 5′-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-2′-, 3′-didehydro-2′-,3′-dideoxy-5-chlorouridine yielded 2′-,3′-didehydro-2′-,3′-dide-oxy-5-chlorouridine.     

Synthesis,Antitumor, and DNA Binding Behavior of Novel 4-(2-Hydroxyquinolin-3-yl)-6-Phenyl-5, 6 Dihydropyrimidin Derivatives in Aqueous Medium

This article deals with the synthesis of 4-(2-hydroxyquinolin-3-yl)-6-phenyl-5,6-dihydropyrimidin derivatives (2a–f), on condensation with various aromatic aldehydes and ketones in aqueous ethanolic NaOH solution yielding the corresponding chalcones (3). These chalcones were further reacted with thiourea/urea in the presence of a base, which led to the formation of the titled derivatives (2a–f). The newly synthesized heterocyles were characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR, ¹HNMR, and electronic and mass spectral data. The compounds (2a and 2b) were evulated for in vitro cyctotoxicity against human breast adenocarcinoma cell (MCF-7). In MTT cytotoxicity studies, both quinolinde derivatives were found most effective. The binding interaction behavior of the compound (2a) and (2d) with calf thymus-DNA (CT-DNA) was studied by electronic spectra, viscosity measurements, and thermal denaturation studies. On binding to CT-DNA, the absorption spectrum underwent bathochromic and hypochromic shifts. The binding constant (K_b) observed 4.3 × 10⁵ M^?1 for (2a), and 3.8 × 10⁵ M^?1 for (2d) suggested that compound (2a) binds more strongly with base pairs than (2d).     

Mechanism of Inhibition of Xanthine Oxidoreductase by Allopurinol: Crystal Structure of Reduced Bovine Milk Xanthine Oxidoreductase Bound with Oxipurinol

Inhibitors of xanthine oxidoreductase block conversion of xanthine to uric acid and are therefore potentially useful for treatment of hyperuricemia or gout. We determined the crystal structure of reduced bovine milk xanthine oxidoreductase complexed with oxipurinol at 2.0 Å resolution. Clear electron density was observed between the N2 nitrogen of oxipurinol and the molybdenum atom of the molybdopterin cofactor, indicating that oxipurinol coordinated directly to molybdenum. Oxipurinol forms hydrogen bonds with glutamate802, arginine880, and glutamate1261, which have previously been shown to be essential for the enzyme reaction. We discuss possible differences in the hypouricemic effect of inhibitors, including allopurinol and newly developed inhibitors, based on their mode of binding in the crystal structures.     

High-throughput screen identifies disulfiram as a potential therapeutic for triple-negative breast cancer cells: Interaction with IQ motif-containing factors

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents an aggressive subtype, for which radiation and chemotherapy are the only options. Here we describe the identification of disulfiram, an FDA-approved drug used to treat alcoholism, as well as the related compound thiram, as the most potent growth inhibitors following high-throughput screens of 3185 compounds against multiple TNBC cell lines. The average IC₅₀ for disulfiram was ~300 nM. Drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) analysis identified IQ motif-containing factors IQGAP1 and MYH9 as direct binding targets of disulfiram. Indeed, knockdown of these factors reduced, though did not completely abolish, cell growth. Combination treatment with 4 different drugs commonly used to treat TNBC revealed that disulfiram synergizes most effectively with doxorubicin to inhibit cell growth of TNBC cells. Disulfiram and doxorubicin cooperated to induce cell death as well as cellular senescence, and targeted the ESA⁺/CD24^-/low/CD44⁺ cancer stem cell population. Our results suggest that disulfiram may be repurposed to treat TNBC in combination with doxorubicin.     

Will an Unsupervised Self-Testing Strategy for HIV Work in Health Care Workers of South Africa? A Cross Sectional Pilot Feasibility Study

Background

In South Africa, stigma, discrimination, social visibility and fear of loss of confidentiality impede health facility-based HIV testing. With 50% of adults having ever tested for HIV in their lifetime, private, alternative testing options are urgently needed. Non-invasive, oral self-tests offer a potential for a confidential, unsupervised HIV self-testing option, but global data are limited.

Methods

A pilot cross-sectional study was conducted from January to June 2012 in health care workers based at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. An innovative, unsupervised, self-testing strategy was evaluated for feasibility; defined as completion of self-testing process (i.e., self test conduct, interpretation and linkage). An oral point-of-care HIV test, an Internet and paper-based self-test HIV applications, and mobile phones were synergized to create an unsupervised strategy. Self-tests were additionally confirmed with rapid tests on site and laboratory tests. Of 270 health care workers (18 years and above, of unknown HIV status approached), 251 consented for participation.

Findings

Overall, about 91% participants rated a positive experience with the strategy. Of 251 participants, 126 evaluated the Internet and 125 the paper-based application successfully; completion rate of 99.2%. All sero-positives were linked to treatment (completion rate:100% (95% CI, 66.0–100). About half of sero-negatives were offered counselling on mobile phones; completion rate: 44.6% (95% CI, 38.0–51.0). A majority of participants (78.1%) were females, aged 18–24 years (61.4%). Nine participants were found sero-positive after confirmatory tests (prevalence 3.6% 95% CI, 1.8–6.9). Six of nine positive self-tests were accurately interpreted; sensitivity: 66.7% (95% CI, 30.9–91.0); specificity:100% (95% CI, 98.1–100).

Interpretation

Our unsupervised self-testing strategy was feasible to operationalize in health care workers in South Africa. Linkages were successfully operationalized with mobile phones in all sero-positives and about half of the sero-negatives sought post-test counselling. Controlled trials and implementation research studies are needed before a scale-up is considered.     

Uremic Pruritus,Dialysis Adequacy,and Metabolic Profiles in Hemodialysis Patients: A Prospective 5-Year Cohort Study

Background

Uremic pruritus is a common and intractable symptom in patients on chronic hemodialysis, but factors associated with the severity of pruritus remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the associations of metabolic factors and dialysis adequacy with the aggravation of pruritus.

Methods

We conducted a 5-year prospective cohort study on patients with maintenance hemodialysis. A visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess the intensity of pruritus. Patient demographic and clinical characteristics, laboratory parameters, dialysis adequacy (assessed by Kt/V), and pruritus intensity were recorded at baseline and follow-up. Change score analysis of the difference score of VAS between baseline and follow-up was performed using multiple linear regression models. The optimal threshold of Kt/V, which is associated with the aggravation of uremic pruritus, was determined by generalized additive models and receiver operating characteristic analysis.

Results

A total of 111 patients completed the study. Linear regression analysis showed that lower Kt/V and use of low-flux dialyzer were significantly associated with the aggravation of pruritus after adjusting for the baseline pruritus intensity and a variety of confounding factors. The optimal threshold value of Kt/V for pruritus was 1.5 suggested by both generalized additive models and receiver operating characteristic analysis.

Conclusions

Hemodialysis with the target of Kt/V ≥1.5 and use of high-flux dialyzer may reduce the intensity of pruritus in patients on chronic hemodialysis. Further clinical trials are required to determine the optimal dialysis dose and regimen for uremic pruritus.     

毕赤酵母STE13基因敲除对GGH表达及其生物活性的影响

目的:重组毕赤酵母GS115/pPIC9K-GGH表达的人胰高血糖素样肽-1-人血清白蛋白融合蛋白[(GLP-1 A2G)2-HSA,GGH]的细胞活性测评结果显示生物活性较低,这可能与其表达过程中蛋白降解有一定关联.通过对毕赤酵母GS115 STE13基因的敲除,获得一株完整表达蛋白GGH的毕赤酵母宿主,并进一步提高其表达产物GGH的生物活性.方法:采用基于PCR技术介导的Cre-Loxp系统重组技术成功敲除宿主菌GS115的STE13基因,得到一株STE13缺陷型菌株GS115/D13,并通过细胞活性测评系统检测GS115/D13表达产物GGH的生物活性.结果:通过对STE13基因缺陷型菌株GS115/D13与出发菌株GS115/W发酵表达对比,显示GS115/D13菌株表达融合蛋白GGH生物活性有明显提升,且表达量提高了25.8％,两菌株生长无明显差异.结论:STE13基因的敲除成功缓解了GGH表达过程中的降解问题,并相对出发菌株GS115/W大幅度提高了蛋白生物活性.     

Overexpression of sema3a in myocardial infarction border zone decreases vulnerability of ventricular tachycardia post‐myocardial infarction in rats

The expression of the chemorepellent Sema3a is inversely related to sympathetic innervation. We investigated whether overexpression of Sema3a in the myocardial infarction (MI) border zone could attenuate sympathetic hyper‐innervation and decrease the vulnerability to malignant ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VT) in rats. Survived MI rats were randomized to phosphate buffered saline (PBS, n = 12); mock lentivirus (MLV, n = 13) and lentivirus‐mediated overexpression of Sema3a (SLV, n = 13) groups. Sham‐operated rats served as control group (CON, n = 20). Cardiac function and electrophysiological study (PES) were performed at 1 week later. Blood and tissue samples were collected for histological analysis, epinephrine (EPI), growth‐associated factor 43 (GAP43) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) measurements. QTc intervals were significantly shorter in SLV group than in PBS and MLV groups (168.6 ± 7.8 vs. 178.1 ± 9.5 and 180.9 ± 8.2 ms, all P < 0.01). Inducibility of VT by PES was significantly lower in the SLV group [30.8% (4/13)] than in PBS [66.7% (8/12)] and MLV [61.5% (8/13)] groups (P < 0.05). mRNA and protein expressions of Sema3a were significantly higher and the protein expression of GAP43 and TH was significantly lower at 7 days after transduction in SLV group compared with PBS, MLV and CON groups. Myocardial EPI in the border zone was also significantly lower in SLV group than in PBS and MLV group (8.73 ± 1.30 vs. 11.94 ± 1.71 and 12.24 ± 1.54 μg/g protein, P < 0.001). Overexpression of Sema3a in MI border zone could reduce the inducibility of ventricular arrhythmias by reducing sympathetic hyper‐reinnervation after infarction.