Microfluidic formation of single cell array for parallel analysis of Ca release-activated Ca (CRAC) channel activation and inhibition

High-throughput single cell analysis is required for understanding and predicting the complex stochastic responses of individual cells in changing environments. We have designed a microfluidic device consisting of parallel, independent channels with cell-docking structures for the formation of an array of individual cells. The microfluidic cell array was used to quantify single cell responses and the distribution of response patterns of calcium channels among a population of individual cells. In this device, 15 cell-docking units in each channel were fabricated with each unit containing 5 sandbag structures, such that an array of individual cells was formed in 8 independent channels. Single cell responses to different treatments in different channels were monitored in parallel to study the effects of the specific activator and inhibitor of the Ca²⁺ release-activated Ca²⁺ (CRAC) channels. Multichannel detection was performed to obtain the response patterns of the population of cells within this single cell array. The results demonstrate that it is possible to acquire single cell features in multichannels simultaneously with passive structural control, which provides an opportunity for high-throughput single cell response analysis in a microfluidic chip.     

Soluble factors from IL-1β-stimulated astrocytes activate NR1a/NR2B receptors: implications for HIV-1-induced neurodegeneration

Astrocytes play an important role in astrocyte-neuron homeostasis. In HIV-1-infected brain, interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) activation of astrocytes contributes to neurodegeneration. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying IL-1β-activated-astrocytes-induced neurodegeneration in HIV-1-infected brain are largely unknown. We hypothesize that secretory factors from the activated astrocytes affect N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, a major pathway implicated in HIV-1-associated neurodegeneration. To test this hypothesis, we studied effects of IL-1β-stimulated astrocyte conditioned medium (ACM+) for its ability to activate NR1a/NR2B receptors expressed on Xenopus oocytes. Astrocytes treated with IL-1β 20 ng/ml for 24 h induced CXCL8, CCL2, MMP1 and MMP7. Pressure ejection of the ACM(+) produced an inward current in NR1a/NR2B-expressing oocytes. The inward current produced by ACM(+) was blocked by NMDA receptor antagonist, APV but not by non-NMDA receptor antagonist, CNQX. These results suggest that IL-1β stimulated astrocytes activate NR1a/NR2B receptors which may have implications in HIV-1-associated neurodegeneration.     

Somatic embryogenesis in mature zygotic embryos of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Picea likiangensis</Emphasis>

Somatic embryogenesis (SE) was successfully induced from mature zygotic embryos of seven families of Picea likiangensis (Franch.) Pritz after 20 weeks culture on initiation medium. Three basal media (one-half strength LM medium, one-half strength LP medium and improved LP medium) with different concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 6-benzyladenine (6-BA) were tested but only one-half strength LM medium supplemented with 2,4-D and 6-BA was successful for the embryogenic cultures (EC) initiation. The initiation frequencies of EC varied greatly from different families when culturing on the same initiation medium. The highest frequency (41.3%) was induced from one of the families on one-half strength LM medium supplemented with 3 mg L⁻¹ 2,4-D and 1.5 mg L⁻¹ 6-BA and 16.83% on average for seven families. EC were subcultured and proliferated on the same medium as the initiation one every 10 days. 3 lines of EC induced from the same family were applied in maturation experiment. Cotyledonary somatic embryos were observed after EC were transferred to maturation media of one-half strength LM medium containing 20-80 mg L⁻¹ abscisic acid and 7.5% polyethylene glycol (PEG-4000). However, one-half strength LM medium supplemented with 40 mg L⁻¹ or 60 mg L⁻¹ ABA and 7.5% PEG gave the best maturation and the 3 lines showed different ability in maturation. Over 80% cotyledonary somatic embryos germinated normally on DCR medium containing 0.2% activated carbon. The success on SE induction of the species has provided an effective clonal propagation method for this important tree’s genetic improvement.     

Identification of an anticoagulant peptide that inhibits both fXIa and fVIIa/tissue factor from the blood-feeding nematode Ancylostoma caninum

Factor VIIa-tissue factor complex (fVIIa/TF) and factor XIa (fXIa) play important roles in the initiation and amplification of coagulation, respectively. They may be good targets for the development of novel anticoagulants to treat and prevent thromboembolic disease. In this study, we cloned, expressed and identified a novel anticoagulant peptide, AcaNAP10, from the blood-feeding nematode Ancylostoma caninum. AcaNAP10 showed potent anticoagulant activity and doubled the activated partial thromboplastin and prothrombin times at estimated concentrations of 92.9 nM and 28.8 nM, respectively. AcaNAP10 demonstrated distinct mechanisms of action compared with known anticoagulants. It inhibited fXIa and fVIIa/TF with IC₅₀ values of 25.76 ± 1.06 nM and 123.9 ± 1.71 nM, respectively. This is the first report on an anticoagulant that can inhibit both fXIa and fVIIa/TF. This anticoagulant peptide may be an alternative molecule for the development of novel anticoagulants.     

一株假单胞菌(Pseudomonas alcaliphila MBR)好氧还原亚硒酸钠为红色单质硒

【目的】本实验室保藏的一株异化硝酸盐还原菌(Pseudomonas alcaliphila MBR),其能够在好氧环境下以有机碳源为电子供体,把易溶解、高毒性亚硒酸钠还原成为红色单质硒,本文对该菌株还原亚硒酸盐的特征进行了研究。【结果】结果表明该菌株可以在pH为6-11环境中生长,对亚硒酸钠有较强抗性,其MIC(minimal inhibitory concentration)可高达50 mmol/L。在5天时间内,菌体以柠檬酸钠为电子供体,把2 mmol/L亚硒酸钠完全还原为红色单质硒并主要积累于胞外。硝酸盐和还原型谷胱甘肽对菌体还原亚硒酸钠具有促进作用,初步确定菌体对亚硒酸钠的还原是细胞膜或细胞质中的某些物质催化的结果。【结论】本项研究为应用Pseudomonas alcaliphila MBR于生物反应器提供了重要基础。     

Development of seven novel EST-SSR markers from Cycas panzhihuaensis (Cycadaceae)

? Premise of the study: Cycas panzhihuaensis L. Zhou & S. Y. Yang is a vulnerable gymnosperm endemic to China, where its range represents the northernmost occupation of Cycas L. We developed EST-derived SSR markers to investigate its genetic diversity and population structure. ? Methods and Results: Based on the expressed sequence tag (EST) database for Cycas rumphii Miq., seven simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were identified and screened in 55 individuals from seven wild populations of C. panzhihuaensis. Alleles numbered 2 to 5, and their observed heterozygosity and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.0000 to 0.6545 and from 0.0535 to 0.6966, respectively. ? Conclusions: These new EST-SSR markers will enhance further studies of the population genetics of C. panzhihuaensis, allowing researchers to design reasonable conservation and management protocols.     

连续性血液净化与血液透析对尿毒症脑病疗效的比较研究

目的:比较连续性血液净化(continuous blood purification,CBP)和血液透析(haemodialysis,HD)治疗尿毒症脑病的疗效.方法:70例尿毒症脑病(uremic encephalopathy,UE)患者随机分成连续性血液净化(CBP)组(n=35)和血液透析(HD)组(n=35),分别给予相应治疗.观察缓解率、平均动脉压、肾功能、电解质及血气指标等.结果:1周缓解率分别为100%(CBP组)和65.7%(HD组)(P＜0.05);两组的BUN,Scr,K+,Na+,Cl-和β2-MG均显著降低(P＜0.05),但治疗后CBP组的BUN,Scr和β2-MG显著低于HD组(P＜0.05);CBP组的HC03-和pH较治疗前显著降低(P＜0.05),而HD组中HC03-和pH治疗前后无显著改变(P＞0.05).CBP组治疗前后平均动脉压变化无统计学差异(P＞0.05),HD组低血压发生率为13.7%,高血压发生率为15.4%.结论:CBP治疗能很好清除BUN、Scr和β2-MG,纠正电解质及酸碱紊乱,维持患者血液动力学,具有较好的临床疗效.     

前列地尔联合尿激酶治疗糖尿病肾病尿蛋白的临床观察

目的:观察短期应用注前列地尔注射液、前列地尔注射液联合小剂量尿激酶对Ⅳ期糖尿病肾病患者尿蛋白的影响。方法:选取我院2005年1月～2009年12月的Ⅳ期糖尿病肾病住院患者548例,均采取强化控制血糖、血压,低蛋白饮食等基础治疗,分为前列地尔治疗组216例、前列地尔联合尿激酶治疗组332例,给予14天短期输液治疗,测定治疗前后24小时尿蛋白。结果:两组患者治疗前年龄、性别组成、糖尿病病程、血糖、血压、血脂、尿蛋白、肾功能等各项指标无显著差异。两组治疗前后各自比较,单独应用注前列地尔注射液、前列地尔注射液联合小剂量尿激酶,均可有效减少糖尿病肾病24小时尿蛋白排泄,但前列地尔注射液联合小剂量尿激酶改善尿蛋白排泄的效果较单独应用注前列地尔更显著(p<0.05),有效率更高(88.2%vs.75.4%,p<0.05);应用小剂量尿激酶未见眼底、皮肤、黏膜出血等不良反应,无凝血功能异常发生。结论:短期静脉应用前列地尔联合小剂量尿激酶治疗Ⅳ期糖尿病肾病,较单独使用前列地尔可更有效减少尿蛋白排泄,不增加眼底出血、皮肤出血、黏膜出血的风险,是一种降低糖尿病肾病尿蛋白水平的安全有效的治疗方法。     

一种简易的杀虫剂毒力测定方法-纸膜卷筒法

本文构建了一种简易的杀虫剂毒力测定方法-纸膜卷简法.具体方法是:用配制好的一定浓度的药剂浸湿滤纸,晾干后卷成圆筒状,置于圆管中,引入试虫,后观察试虫死亡情况.应用该方法测定了敌百虫、高效氯氰菊酯对6个地理种群的桔小实蝇Bactrocera dorsalis成虫的毒力.结果表明,24 h内对照桔小实蝇死亡率均小于10%,48 h后死亡率小于10%的几率为66.70%,72 h后死亡率小于10%的几率仅16.70%,因此,使用纸膜卷筒法观察时间在24 h为宜.24 h敌百虫和高效氯氰菊酯对不同地理种群桔小实蝇LJ50差值最大的试验结果显示纸膜卷简法可应用于该虫毒力测定和抗药性监测中,并认为该方法也可用于农药对其它具飞行能力昆虫的毒力测定中.     

海南省香蕉枯萎病病原菌的分离鉴定及1号、4号小种的生物学特性

香蕉枯萎病是目前国内和世界很多地区香蕉种植区的一种毁灭性病害,目前尚未找到有效的防治方法.本文采集了海南省不同地区香蕉枯萎病的病原菌,通过经典病理学与分子生物学的方法进行了鉴定,此外还优化了快速检测的方法.结果表明,通过接种巴西香蕉和粉蕉进行致病性检测以及分离菌rDNA-ITS测序结果,明确鉴定出供试的香蕉分离菌株为4号生理小种,粉蕉分离菌株为1号生理小种.为了对1号、4号生理小种有更多的了解,本文还对1号、4号小种菌株生物学特性进行了测定,确定了影响菌丝生长的最佳条件.结果显示,pH 5时最适合1号、4号生理小种的菌丝生长,适合菌丝生长的温度为19～28℃之间,温度达到37℃时菌丝不能生长,碳源对菌丝的生长影响不大.这些方法和数据可以有利于田间香蕉枯萎病病害的检测和最终确定,生物学特性的测定可以为耕作技术的改进和农药的研发提供参考依据.