High-altitude hypoxia induces disorders of the brainendocrine-immune network through activation of corticotropin-releasing factor and its type-1 receptors

High-altitude hypoxia can induce physiological dysfunction and mountain sickness,but the underlying mechanism is not fully understood.Corticotrophin-releasing factor(CRF) and CRF type-1 receptors(CRFR1) are members of the CRF family and the essential controllers of the physiological activity of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal(HPA) axis and modulators of endocrine and behavioral activity in response to various stressors.We have previously found that high-altitude hypoxia induces disorders of the brain-endocrine-immune network through activation of CRF and CRFR1 in the brain and periphery that include activation of the HPA axis in a time-and dose-dependent manner,impaired or improved learning and memory,and anxiety-like behavioral change.Meanwhile,hypoxia induces dysfunctions of the hypothalamo-pituitary-endocrine and immune systems,including suppression of growth and development,as well as inhibition of reproductive,metabolic and immune functions.In contrast,the small mammals that live on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau alpine meadow display low responsiveness to extreme high-altitudehypoxia challenge,suggesting well-acclimatized genes and a physiological strategy that developed during evolution through interactions between the genes and environment.All the findings provide evidence for understanding the neuroendocrine mechanisms of hypoxia-induced physiological dysfunction.This review extends these findings.     

Identification of an kB-like motif at the 5' upstream region of human lymphotoxin gene

INTR0DUCTIONLymphotoxin(LT),alsocalledtum0rnecrosisfactord(TNF-P),isalymphokinereleasedbymit0genorantigen-activatedTlymphocytes.Undercircumstancesofvariousneoplastandautoimmunediseases,LTpr0ducti0ncanals0bedetectedre-spectively,contributingtothecytotoxici…     

石斑角形虫(黏体门, 角形虫科)的分子证据及其在不同宿主中的遗传变异

研究从中国东海的青石斑鱼 Epinephelus awoara Temminck & Schlegel 1842和褐带石斑鱼E. bruneus Bloch 1793的胆囊中检获了石斑角形虫 Ceratomyxa epinephela Wu, Wu et hua, 1993, 首次提供了其SSU rDNA和ITS1 rDNA序列, 并基于形态学和分子数据进行了重新描述。石斑角形虫成熟孢子的孢子长(4.8±0.5) μm (3.6—5.6 μm), 孢子厚(31.8±4.8) μm (23.3—37.5 μm); 孢子壳瓣光滑且等大, 由垂直的缝线连接; 极囊长(2.9±0.2) μm (2.4—3.7 μm), 极囊宽(2.6±0.2) μm (2.2—3.1 μm); 孢子夹角处稍微凹陷, 延伸至两端逐渐变平坦, 夹角为 (175.9±3.7)° (165.5°—179.7°)。基于SSU rDNA序列构建的系统发育树显示石斑角形虫与诺兰角形虫C. nolani Gunter & Adlard 2009, 卡特莫尔角形虫C. cutmorei Gunter & Adlard 2009和横山角形虫C. yokoyamai Gunter & Adlard 2009 有很近的亲缘关系, 且其宿主均为石斑鱼属物种。结果表明, 类群关系较近的宿主其寄生的同属黏孢子虫可能具有更近的系统发育关系。基于SSU rDNA和ITS1 rDNA的遗传分析显示, 石斑角形虫的4个分离株已发生了明显的遗传分化(形成了4个基因型), 形成了不同的种群, 但在不同宿主种类间并未形成特有的分化。     

Effect of environmental stresses and high hydrostatic pressure on the Antibiotic susceptibility of pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of environmental stresses (temperature, pH, osmotic pressure, high hydrostatic pressure (HHP)) on the antibiotic susceptibility of 12 different pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolates. Isolates were subjected to growth at (30 ℃and 37 ℃), an osmotic pressure of (1% and 6% NaCl), a media at pH (6.0 and 9.0) and three different HHP treatment (180, 250, 300 MPa). The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of tested antibiotics used against unstressed (control), stressed or post-stressed isolates were determined using the broth microdilution method. The study found that incubation under increased salt (6%), reduced salt (1%) and increased pH (9.0) conditions were commonly associated with increased antibiotic resistance. Incubation at 30 ℃ temperature, reduced pH (6.0) and HHP treatment were commonly associated with decreased antibiotic resistance. Besides, both ciprofloxacin and cefotaxime kept a constant MIC during almost all stress challenges. Thus our data demonstrate that exposure of V. parahaemolyticus to some stress conditions may contribute on the rapid development of antibiotic resistance in this food borne pathogen.     

The Role of dinB in the Appearing of Antibiotics Resistance in E.coli

The role of dinB gene in the appearing of antibiotics resistance was studied. Plasmid containing multi-copy dinB gene was transfected into E. coli to create an overexpression. The strains carrying multi-copies of dinB gene demonstrate a significant survival advantage over the wild strain. In vitro experiment, the dinB-overexpressed strain evolved resistance within 8 hours, while wild strain could not.In vivo experiment with mice model infected with dinB-overexpressed strain, resistant clones emerged significantly earlier and demonstrated significant higher level of resistance than those infected with the wild control strain. The results showed that dinB gene made a contribution in the appearing of the antibiotics resistance and has a potential as a target for prevention from the appearing of antibiotic resistance.