Distribution of mRNAs Encoding the Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor α, β, and γ and the Retinoid X Receptor α, β, and γ in Rat Central Nervous System

Abstract: We report the isolation, by RT-PCR, of partial cDNAs encoding the rat peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) isoforms PPARα, PPARβ, and PPARγ and the rat retinoid X receptor (RXR) isoforms RXRα, RXRβ, and RXRγ. These cDNAs were used to generate antisense RNA probes to permit analysis, by the highly sensitive and discriminatory RNase protection assay, of the corresponding mRNAs in rat brain regions during development. PPARα, PPARβ, RXRα, and RXRβ mRNAs are ubiquitously present in different brain regions during development, PPARγ mRNA is essentially undetectable, and RXRγ mRNA is principally localised to cortex. We demonstrate, for the first time, the presence of PPAR and RXR mRNAs in primary cultures of neonatal meningeal fibroblasts, cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs), and cortical and cerebellar astrocytes and in primary cultures of adult cortical astrocytes. PPARα, PPARβ, RXRα, and RXRβ mRNAs are present in all cell types, albeit that PPARα and RXRα mRNAs are at levels near the limit of detection in CGNs. PPARγ mRNA is expressed at low levels in most cell types but is present at levels similar to those of PPARα mRNA in adult astrocytes. RXRγ mRNA is present either at low levels, or below the level of detection of the assay, for all cell types studied.     

Battling for Ribosomes: Translational Control at the Forefront of the Antiviral Response

In the early stages of infection, gaining control of the cellular protein synthesis machinery including its ribosomes is the ultimate combat objective for a virus. To successfully replicate, viruses unequivocally need to usurp and redeploy this machinery for translation of their own mRNA. In response, the host triggers global shutdown of translation while paradoxically allowing swift synthesis of antiviral proteins as a strategy to limit collateral damage. This fundamental conflict at the level of translational control defines the outcome of infection. As part of this special issue on molecular mechanisms of early virus–host cell interactions, we review the current state of knowledge regarding translational control during viral infection with specific emphasis on protein kinase RNA-activated and mammalian target of rapamycin-mediated mechanisms. We also describe recent technological advances that will allow unprecedented insight into how viruses and host cells battle for ribosomes.     

Evidence that amylose synthesis occurs within the matrix of the starch granule in potato tubers

Transgenic potatoes expressing reduced levels of granule-bound starch synthase I (GBSSI) have been used to investigate whether the synthesis of amylose occurs at the surface of the starch granule or within the matrix formed by the synthesis and organization of amylopectin. Amylose in these potatoes is wholly or largely confined to a central region of the granule. Consequently this core region stains blue with iodine whereas the peripheral zone stains red. By making extensive measurements of the relative sizes of the granules and their blue-staining cores in tubers over a range of stages of development, we have established that the blue core increases in size as the granule grows. The extent of the increase in size of the blue core is greater in potatoes with higher levels of GBSSI. These data show that amylose synthesis occurs within the matrix of the granule, and are consistent with the idea that the space available in the matrix may be an important determinant of the amylose content of storage starches.     

Apoptotic Pathways Mobilized in Microglia and Neurones as a Consequence of Chromogranin A-Induced Microglial Activation

Senile plaques of Alzheimer's brain are characterized by activated microglia and immunoreactivity for the peptide chromogranin A. We have investigated the mechanisms by which chromogranin A activates microglia, producing modulators of neuronal survival. Primary cultures of rat brain-derived microglia display a reactive phenotype within 24 h of exposure to 10 nM chromogranin A, culminating in microglial death via apoptotic mechanisms mediated by interleukin-1beta converting enzyme. The signalling cascade initiated by chromogranin A triggers nitric oxide production followed by enhanced microglial glutamate release, inhibition of which prevents microglial death. The plasma membrane carrier inhibitor aminoadipate and the type II/III metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonist (RS)-alpha-methyl-4-sulphonophenylglycine are equally protective. A significant amount of the released glutamate occurs from bafilomycin-sensitive stores, suggesting a vesicular mode of release. Inhibition of this component of release affords significant microglial protection. Conditioned medium from activated microglia kills cerebellar granule cells by inducing caspase-3-dependent neuronal apoptosis. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is partially neuroprotective, as are ionotropic glutamate receptor antagonists, and, when combined with boiling of conditioned medium, full protection is achieved; nitric oxide synthase inhibitors are ineffective.     

Generation of a radial-like glial cell line

Rat C6 glioma is a cell line that has been used extensively as a model of astroglia. Although this cell line retains many of the properties of developing glia, it does not resemble morphologically the specialized form of glia found embryonically, the radial glia. In experiments designed to study a mutant form of receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase β, we isolated a subclone of C6 called C6-R which, like radial glia, assumes a highly polarized radial-like morphology in culture. C6-R cells and, to a somewhat lesser extent, C6 cells, express cytoskeletal proteins found in developing astroglia including glial fibrillary acidic protein and RC1. As seen with radial glia, cerebellar granule cell bodies and neurites migrated along radial processes of C6-R cells in culture. Morphological analysis of dye-labeled cells injected into the developing forebrain revealed that a large fraction (∼60%) of the C6-R cells in the cortex assumed a radial orientation and about half of these (∼30%) made contact with the pial surface. In contrast, the parental C6 cells generally formed aggregates and only displayed a radial alignment when associated with blood vessels. These results suggest that we have generated a stable cell line from C6 glioma which has adopted certain key features of radial glia, including the ability to promote neuronal migration in culture and integrate radially in vivo in response to local cues. This cell line may be particularly useful for studying receptors on radial glia that mediate neuronal migration. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Neurobiol 37: 291–304, 1998     

小儿肺热咳喘颗粒联合雾化吸入用乙酰半胱氨酸溶液对支气管肺炎患儿肺通气功能、炎症因子和免疫球蛋白的影响

摘要 目的：观察小儿肺热咳喘颗粒联合雾化吸入用乙酰半胱氨酸溶液对支气管肺炎患儿肺通气功能、炎症因子和免疫球蛋白的影响。方法：选择2019年9月-2023年1月期间合肥市第二人民医院收治的100例支气管肺炎患儿,采用双色球法将患儿分为对照组和研究组,各为50例。对照组患儿接受雾化吸入用乙酰半胱氨酸溶液,研究组患儿在对照组的基础上接受小儿肺热咳喘颗粒。对比两组临床症状、炎症因子水平[白细胞介素-6（IL-6）、降钙素原（PCT）、C反应蛋白（CRP）]、免疫球蛋白[免疫球蛋白（Ig）A、IgM、IgG]、肺通气功能指标[吸气时间（TI）、呼气时间（TE）、吸呼比（TI/TE）、达峰时间比（TPF%TE）、达峰容积比（VPF%VE）]和不良反应发生率。结果：与对照组相比,研究组的肺部湿啰音消失时间、咳嗽消失时间、咳痰消失时间、退热时间更短（P<0.05）。研究组治疗10 d后CRP、IL-6、PCT低于对照组（P<0.05）。研究组治疗10 d后IgA、IgM、IgG高于对照组（P<0.05）。研究组治疗10 d后VT、TI、TE、TI/TE、TPF%TE、VPF%VE高于对照组（P<0.05）。两组不良反应发生率对比未见差异（P>0.05）。结论：小儿肺热咳喘颗粒联合雾化吸入用乙酰半胱氨酸溶液治疗支气管肺炎,可有效缩短临床症状缓解时间,改善肺通气功能,降低炎症因子水平,调节免疫球蛋白,且安全性较好。     

Abnormal Purkinje cell dendrites in Lurcher chimeric mice result from a deafferentation-induced atrophy

Previous studies of Purkinje cell dendrites in lurcher ↔ wild-type mouse chimeras (lurcher chimeras) have documented the surprising occurrence of unusual atrophic dendritic morphologies among the wild-type cells of the mosaic cerebella. We have hypothesized that these aberrant morphologies arise from a process of developmental deafferentation that is due to the unique loss of mutant Purkinje cells in these chimeras. These earlier studies left unanswered the question of whether the abnormal dendrites were the result of a blocked developmental process (agenesis) or regressive events that deform a previously well-developed dendritic arbor (atrophy). Using a set of simple morphometric measures, we now examine wild-type Purkinje cells in young lurcher chimeras. At postnatal day 20, normal Purkinje cell development is nearly but not fully complete. In lurcher chimeras, the morphologies of the wild-type Purkinje cell dendrites are similar to those in wild-type controls of the same age. This means that they are larger in height, width, and cross-section than their counterparts in adult lurcher chimeras. The younger cells exhibit almost none of the atrophic morphologies described in mature animals. We conclude that the aberrant morphologies found in adult lurcher chimeras arise from atrophy rather than through a failure in development. Furthermore, consideration of the details of the wild-type dendrites in the lurcher chimeras leads to the proposal that the height and width of the Purkinje cell dendritic tree are controlled by two independent mechanisms. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

养血清脑颗粒对老年脑梗死后抑郁患者血清胱抑素C及认知功能的影响

目的:探究养血清脑颗粒对老年脑梗死后抑郁患者血清胱抑素C水平的影响及认知功能水平的影响。方法:选取2015年6月到2016年6月我院神经内科收治的老年脑梗死后抑郁患者74例,根据随机数字对照表分为对照组与试验组,各37例。对照组采用口服盐酸帕罗西汀治疗,试验组联合给予养血清脑颗粒治疗,4周为一个疗程,共治疗一个疗程。比较两组患者临床疗效、血清胱抑素C水平及认知功能水平。结果:治疗结束后,与对照组相比,试验组临床总有效率较高(P0.05),治疗后两组血清胱抑素C水平较治疗前降低(P0.05),MMSE评分较治疗前升高(P0.05);与对照组相比,血清胱抑素C水平较低(P0.05),MMSE评分较高(P0.05)。结论:养血清脑颗粒治疗老年脑梗死后抑郁患者临床疗效显著,认知功能明显改善,推测其与血清胱抑素C水平降低有关。     

稳心颗粒联合普罗帕酮用于心律失常的疗效研究及对血清hs-CRP、TNF-α、IL-6与心功能的影响

目的:探讨稳心颗粒联合普罗帕酮治疗心律失常的临床疗效研究及对血清高敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)、肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)-α、白介素(IL)-6水平与心功能的影响。方法:选择2014年7月至2016年10月我院接诊的96例心律失常患者,通过随机数表法分为观察组(n=48)和对照组(n=48)。对照组给予普罗帕酮治疗,观察组在此基础上,联用稳心颗粒。治疗4周后,比较两组血清hs-CRP、TNF-α、IL-6水平、心功能、临床疗效以及不良反应的发生情况。结果:治疗后,观察组临床疗效总有效率明显高于对照组(P0.05);血清hs-CRP、TNF-α、IL-6水平均明显低于对照组(P0.05);观察组左室舒张末期内径(LVEDD)、左室收缩末期内径(LVESD)显著低于对照组,左室射血分数(LVEF)明显高于对照组(P0.05);观察组不良反应发生率明显低于对照组(P0.05)。结论:稳心颗粒联合普罗帕酮治疗心律失常的效果显著,可有效改善患者心功能,安全性高,可能与其降低血清hs-CRP、TNF-α、IL-6表达有关。     

Formation and microbial community analysis of chloroanilines-degrading aerobic granules in the sequencing airlift bioreactor

Aims:  This paper investigates a selection-based acclimation strategy for improving the performance and stability of aerobic granules at a high chloroanilines loading.
Methods and Results:  The experiments were conducted in a sequencing airlift bioreactor (SABR) to develop aerobic granules fed with chloroanilines (ClA). The evolution of aerobic granulation was monitored using image analysis and scanning electron microscopy, and PCR–DGGE analysis of microbial community was performed. The sludge granulation was apparently developed by decreased settling time and gradual increased ClA loading to 0·8 kg m⁻³ day⁻¹. A steady-state performance of the granular SABR was reached at last, as evidenced by biomass concentration of 6·3 g l⁻¹ and constant ClA removal efficiency of 99·9%. The mature granules had a mean size of 1·55 mm, minimal settling velocity of 68·4 m h⁻¹, specific ClA degradation rate of 0·181 g gVSS⁻¹ day⁻¹. Phylogenetic analysis of aerobic ClA-degrading granules confirmed the dominance of β - , γ -Proteobacteria and Flavobacteria.
Conclusions:  The chosen operating strategy involving step increase in ClA loading and enhancement of major selection pressures was successful in cultivating the aerobic ClA-degrading granules.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  This research could be helpful for improving the stability of aerobic granules via optimizing operating conditions and developing economic feasible full-scale granular bioreactor.