Protein aggregation and amyloid fibril formation by an SH3 domain probed by limited proteolysis

The SH3 domains are small protein modules of 60-85 amino acid residues that are found in many proteins involved in intracellular signal transduction. The SH3 domain of the p85alpha subunit of bovine phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (PI3-SH3) under acidic solution adopts a compact denatured state from which amyloid fibrils are readily formed. This aggregation process has been found to be modulated substantially by solution conditions. Here, we have analyzed the conformational features of the native and acid denatured states of PI3-SH3 by limited proteolysis experiments using proteinase K and pepsin, respectively. Moreover, we have analyzed the propensity of PI3-SH3 to be hydrolyzed by pepsin at different stages in the process of aggregation and amyloid formation at pH 1.2 and 2.0 and compared the sites of proteolysis under these conditions with the conformational features of both native and aggregated PI3-SH3. The results demonstrate that the denatured state of PI3-SH3 formed at low pH is relatively resistant to proteolysis, indicating that it is partially folded. The long loop connecting beta-strands b and c in the native protein is the region in this structure most susceptible to proteolysis. Remarkably, aggregates of PI3-SH3 that are formed initially from this denatured state in acid solution display enhanced susceptibility to proteolysis of the long loop, suggesting that the protein becomes more unfolded in the early stages of aggregation. By contrast, the more defined amyloid fibrils that are formed over longer periods of time are completely resistant to proteolysis. We suggest that the protein aggregates formed initially are relatively dynamic species that are able readily to reorganize their interactions to enable formation of very well ordered fibrillar structures. In addition, the disordered and non-native character of the polypeptide chains in the early aggregates could be important in determining the high cytotoxicity that has been revealed in previous studies of these species.     

Differences in the denaturation behavior of ribonuclease A induced by temperature and guanidine hydrochloride

Moderate temperatures or low concentrations of denaturants diminish the catalytic activity of some enzymes before spectroscopic methods indicate protein unfolding. To discriminate between possible reasons for the inactivation of ribonuclease A, we investigated the influence of temperature and guanidine hydrochloride on its proteolytic susceptibility to proteinase K by determining the proteolytic rate constants and fragment patterns. The results were related to changes of activity and spectroscopic properties of ribonuclease A. With thermal denaturation, the changes in activity and in the rate constants of proteolytic degradation coincide and occur slightly before the spectroscopically observable transition. In the case of guanidine hydrochloride-induced denaturation, however, proteolytic resistance of ribonuclease A initially increases accompanied by a drastic activity decrease far before unfolding of the protein is detected by spectroscopy or proteolysis. In addition to ionic effects, a tightening of the protein structure at low guanidine hydrochloride concentrations is suggested to be responsible for ribonuclease A inactivation.     

A mechanistic model for partial preferences

Classic prey optimal foraging model assumes that individual predators are globally omniscient; that is, they have exact knowledge of prey population densities in the environment. This study examines a spatially explicit individual-based model of a one-predator two-prey system where individual predators are assumed to be omniscient only locally, i.e., to know prey population densities only in the range of their perception. Due to local variations in prey numbers, the probability of acceptance of less profitable prey shifts from the zero-one rule to a gradually decreasing function, for which an explicit formula is derived, giving way to partial preferences. A corresponding predator functional response to more profitable prey is shown to have a sigmoid-like form.     

Molecular mechanisms for the conversion of zymogens to active proteolytic enzymes.

Proteolytic enzymes are synthesized as inactive precursors, or "zymogens," to prevent unwanted protein degradation, and to enable spatial and temporal regulation of proteolytic activity. Upon sorting or appropriate compartmentalization, zymogen conversion to the active enzyme typically involves limited proteolysis and removal of an "activation segment." The sizes of activation segments range from dipeptide units to independently folding domains comprising more than 100 residues. A common form of the activation segment is an N-terminal extension of the mature enzyme, or "prosegment," that sterically blocks the active site, and thereby prevents binding of substrates. In addition to their inhibitory role, prosegments are frequently important for the folding, stability, and/or intracellular sorting of the zymogen. The mechanisms of conversion to active enzymes are diverse in nature, ranging from enzymatic or nonenzymatic cofactors that trigger activation, to a simple change in pH that results in conversion by an autocatalytic mechanism. Recent X-ray crystallographic studies of zymogens and comparisons with their active counterparts have identified the structural changes that accompany conversion. This review will focus upon the structural basis for inhibition by activation segments, as well as the molecular events that lead to the conversion of zymogens to active enzymes.     

Entry of Vibrio cincinnatiensis into viable but nonculturable state and its resuscitation

Aims:  The aim was to characterize the viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state of Vibrio cincinnatiensis and its resuscitation.
Methods and Results:  Vibrio cincinnatiensis VIB287 was cultured in sterilized seawater microcosms at 4°C. Plate counts, direct viable counts and total counts were used. A large population of the V. cincinnatiensis became nonculturable after approx. 50 day at 4°C. Electron microscopy revealed that the VBNC cells changed from rod to coccoid and decreased in size. Resuscitation of VBNC cells was achieved by temperature upshift in nutrition of yeast extract and peptone by addition of catalase or compound vitamin B. The VBNC and resuscitative cells were intraperitoneally injected into zebra fish separately. No death was observed in the group inoculated with the VBNC cells.
Conclusions:  Vibrio cincinnatiensis VIB287 could enter VBNC state in adverse environments. Resuscitation of VBNC cells occurred by addition of compound vitamin B or catalase to VBNC cells containing nutrient. The resuscitative cells might retain their pathogenicity.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  The study confirmed that V. cincinnatiensis could enter into VBNC state in seawater at low temperature and resuscitated. The resuscitative cells retained their pathogenicity, which may be important in future studies of ecology of V. cincinnatiensis .     

计算机模拟技术结合多媒体教学法在心肺复苏培训中的应用

目的:探讨和评价计算机模拟技术结合多媒体教学法在心肺复苏培训中的应用价值。方法:对62名急诊医生进行心肺复苏理论和技能测试,应用算机模拟技术结合多媒体教学模式,进行综合模拟演练并再次考核,比较两次成绩的差异;并发放调查问卷,分析对教学方法的评价及满意度。结果:培训后再次考核理论成绩、技能成绩和团队合作能力较初步测试成绩有显著提高,P0.05;98.3%喜欢该教学法,95.1%认为该教学法可以提高团队合作能力。结论:计算机模拟技术结合多媒体教学法在心肺复苏培训中具有重要的应用价值,可以显著提高团队合作能力。     

Morphological and genetic differentiation in populations of the dispersal‐limited coco de mer (Lodoicea maldivica): implications for management and conservation

Aims Developing plant conservation strategies requires knowledge of ecological and genetic processes underlying population dynamics. We aimed to quantify morphological and genetic differentiation among remnant populations of the iconic coco‐de‐mer palm Lodoicea maldivica. We hypothesized that limited gene flow among widely spaced populations would result in high genetic variation and large phenotypic differences among populations. Location Islands of Praslin and Curieuse (CU), Seychelles, Indian Ocean. Methods We conducted an extensive population survey and recorded morphological parameters for 447 Lodoicea in the main populations at Vallée de Mai (VM) and Fond Ferdinand (FF) on Praslin, and on CU. We collected leaf material from 180 trees in these populations for DNA genotyping using amplified fragment length polymorphisms. Results A total of 16,766 Lodoicea trees were recorded in the three populations (72.6% of Lodoicea on both islands). Lodoicea trees at VM and FF showed similar morphology, but differed in most parameters from those at CU, which were shorter, grew more slowly and produced fewer seeds. Mean overall genetic diversity was 0.337, and percentage of polymorphic loci was 91.1. Genetic diversity of the CU population was lower than that at VM and FF. There was weak genetic differentiation between CU and Praslin populations, but 99% of all genetic diversity was within populations. Main conclusions Trees on CU differed in growth and morphology from those of the two Praslin populations. These phenotypic differences, however, were not mirrored in the genetic structure of the populations. All populations were relatively genetically diverse with remarkably little differentiation among populations. This suggests that the capacity of Lodoicea to dominate across a range of habitats may be because of high phenotypic plasticity. High genetic connectivity may be maintained through long‐distance wind pollination. Given the uncertainty about the extent of underlying adaptive variation, we recommend that restoration projects avoid transferring seeds between island populations.     

燕麦米汤对严重烧伤患者休克期肠道复苏的影响

目的：研究严重烧伤患者休克期经肠道给予燕麦米汤对肠道复苏的影响。方法：选取烧伤面积≥30%TBSA的患者42例,并随机分为：燕麦米汤组,伤后24h内开始经鼻肠管给予燕麦米汤;对照组,伤后24h内开始经鼻肠管给予50g/L葡萄糖盐水,连续4d,每组21例。在伤后1、2、3、4 d分别检测其血清二氨氧化酶（DAO）值及动脉血乳酸（LAC）含量,观察两组患者腹胀缓解时间、肠鸣音恢复时间等临床指标。结果：两组患者伤后血清二氨氧化酶及动脉血乳酸含量均呈下降趋势,燕麦米汤组血清二氨氧化酶在伤后2、3、4d显著低于对照组（P〈0.01）,而脉血乳酸含量在伤后2、3d显著低于对照组（P〈0.05或0.01）,治疗过程中燕麦米汤组其腹胀缓解时间、肠鸣音恢复时间、排气时间、开始完全肠内营养时间、继发感染例数均优于对照组（P〈0.01）。结论：在严重烧伤休克期尽早鼻饲燕麦米汤能较好地促进肠道复苏。     

燕麦米汤对严重烧伤患者休克期肠道复苏的影响

目的:研究严重烧伤患者休克期经肠道给予燕麦米汤对肠道复苏的影响。方法:选取烧伤面积≥30%TBSA的患者42例,并随机分为:燕麦米汤组,伤后24h内开始经鼻肠管给予燕麦米汤;对照组,伤后24h内开始经鼻肠管给予50g/L葡萄糖盐水,连续4d,每组21例。在伤后1、2、3、4 d分别检测其血清二氨氧化酶(DAO)值及动脉血乳酸(LAC)含量,观察两组患者腹胀缓解时间、肠鸣音恢复时间等临床指标。结果:两组患者伤后血清二氨氧化酶及动脉血乳酸含量均呈下降趋势,燕麦米汤组血清二氨氧化酶在伤后2、3、4d显著低于对照组(P<0.01),而脉血乳酸含量在伤后2、3d显著低于对照组(P<0.05或0.01),治疗过程中燕麦米汤组其腹胀缓解时间、肠鸣音恢复时间、排气时间、开始完全肠内营养时间、继发感染例数均优于对照组(P<0.01)。结论:在严重烧伤休克期尽早鼻饲燕麦米汤能较好地促进肠道复苏。     

不同液体复苏对失血性休克大鼠肠粘膜的影响

目的:观察不同液体复苏对失血性休克大鼠肠粘膜的影响以及肠粘膜的变化。方法:利用大鼠失血性休克模型以及不同的补液方式,在复苏后120分钟时处死大鼠,取回肠4cm,做病理切片并根据Chiu等方法评估回肠黏膜上皮损伤指数。结果:液体复苏组的肠粘膜损伤程度小于休克不补液组(p<0.05),而限制型液体复苏组的肠粘膜损伤程度小于充分液体复苏组(p<0.05)。结论:通过本实验对肠粘膜的观察可以得出,对于失血性休克,液体复苏时有效的抗休克方式,而对于复苏的方式来说,从肠黏膜的保护方面来说,限制型液体复苏是优于传统的充分液体复苏的。