Genome-wide MicroRNA Expression Profiles in COPD: Early Predictors for Cancer Development

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) significantly increases the risk of developing cancer. Biomarker studies frequently follow a case-control set-up in which patients diagnosed with a disease are compared to controls. Longitudinal cohort studies such as the COPD-centered German COPD and SYstemic consequences-COmorbidities NETwork(COSYCONET) study provide the patient and biomaterial base for discovering predictive molecular markers. We asked whether microRNA(miRNA) profiles in blood collected from COPD patients prior to a tumor diagnosis could support an early diagnosis of tumor development independent of the tumor type. From 2741 participants of COSYCONET diagnosed with COPD, we selected 534 individuals including 33 patients who developed cancer during the follow-up period of 54 months and 501 patients who did not develop cancer, but had similar age, gender and smoking history. Genome-wide miRNA profiles were generated and evaluated using machine learning techniques. For patients developing cancer we identified nine miRNAs with significantly decreased abundance(two-tailed unpaired t-test adjusted for multiple testing P 0.05), including members of the miR-320 family. The identified mi RNAs regulate different cancer-related pathways including the MAPK pathway(P = 2.3 x 10~(-5)). We also observed the impact of confounding factors on the generated miRNA profiles, underlining the value of our matched analysis. For selected miRNAs, qRT-PCR analysis was applied to validate the results. In conclusion, we identified several miRNAs in blood of COPD patients, which could serve as candidates for biomarkers to help identify COPD patients at risk of developing cancer.     

检测153例儿童Kikuchi-Fujimoto病患者淋巴结组织中的分枝杆菌及疱疹病毒

Kikuchi-Fujimoto病(KFD),又称为组织坏死性淋巴结炎,是儿童的一种自限性疾病.一些研究表明其病因与微生物有关.既往研究显示,特定病原体的存在与临床、病理以及实验室检查结果之间没有明确关联.采用基于PCR的分子检测在KFD淋巴结组织中检测并鉴定分枝杆菌、疱疹病毒和细小病毒B19的DNA.收集2001~2010年间福尔马林固定后石蜡包埋的KFD淋巴结活检标本153例.在19例(12.4%)组织中检测到分支杆菌DNA,包括Mycobacterium intracellulare, M. avium, M. smegmatis, M. abscessus, M. conceptionense, M. riyadhense, M.vanbaalenii和M. monacense各1例; M. fortuitum, M. kansasii和M. mucogenicum各2例以及未明确的其他分枝杆菌5例. PCR方法也检测到10例(6.5%)细小病毒B19, 3例(2%) EBV, 1例(0.6%) CMV, 1例(0.6%) HHV-6, 1例(0.6%)HHV-7和5例(3.3%) HHV-8.本研究结果确定了KFD淋巴结组织中分枝杆菌以及病毒特异DNA的存在,但其临床以及病理学相关性未明.本研究是目前最大的采用覆盖分枝杆菌以及病毒病原体的分子技术的KFD研究.     

中国香港新记录的十个分类单元

中国香港位于热带北缘,其植被在历史上曾遭到大规模破坏,近几十年来逐渐恢复。香港植物标本采集有很长的历史,迄今为止已记录的维管植物超过2 170种,然而新种和新分布仍在不断增加。在最近的野外工作中,作者发现10种在香港新记录到的维管植物,分别是唇边书带蕨[Haplopteris elongata (Swartz) E. H.Crane]、雷公连[Amydrium sinense (Engl.) H. Li]、百足藤[Pothos repens (Lour.) Druce]、四川轮环藤(Cycleasutchuenensis Gagnep.)、山黑豆(Dumasia truncata SieboldZucc.)、倒心叶珊瑚[Aucuba obcordata (Rehder) Fu ex W. K. Hu et Soong]、竹叶榕(Ficus stenophylla Hemsl.)、长叶冠毛榕[F. gasparriniana var. esquirolii (H. Lév.Vaniot) Corner]、硬叶冬青(Ilex ficifolia C. J. Tseng ex S. K. Chen et Y. X. Feng)、假福王草[Paraprenanthes sororia(Miq.) C. Shih.]。雷公连属(Amydrium Schott)、山黑豆属(Dumasia DC.)和假福王草属(Paraprenanthes C. C.Chang ex C. Shih)为香港的新记录属。以上的发现不仅丰富了香港的植物区系,而且表明保护残存植被非常重要,且极小种群的保护也值得特别关注。     

A RAPID ASSESSMENT APPROACH FOR EVALUATING SILVER CARP GENDER

Silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix were introduced into the U.S. to control water quality in aquaculture ponds. From this point of origin, silver carp escaped into nearby rivers through multiple flood events. Because of their documented negative effects on native biota, silver carp have been labeled as problematic. Therefore, evaluating the biology and ecology of these non-indigenous species is critical. Multiple parameters are needed to evaluate silver carp populations(length, weight, age, and sex). Furthermore, developing methods for rapidly acquiring these data are needed. In relation to sex determination, sexual dimorphism was observed where males exhibit distinct pectoral fin ray features. Specifically, males have pronounced ridges or a "rough patch" on the dorsal surface of pectoral fins. Therefore, to test if this was an applicable way of determining silver carp gender; silver carp were collected from Midwestern U.S. rivers(N=2015) in the fall of 2011(N=870), spring of 2012(N=645), winter of 2013—2014(N=202) and summer2015(N=323) via electrofishing. For each silver carp collected, presence(e.g., rough patch) or absence(e.g.,smooth) of pronounced ridges on the top side of the pectoral fins was recorded, and an incision was made in the body cavity to identify gender. Based on the results of our evaluation, gender was correctly identified over99% of the time(2006 out of 2015) based on the pectoral fin dimorphism. In the samples taken in the winter of 2013—2014 and summer of 2015, accuracy for silver carp shorter than 300 mm and longer than 800 mm was 53.7%(19 out of 41) while accuracy for silver carp between 300 mm and 800 mm total length was 98.9%(289 out of 292). This study provides a rapid assessment approach for evaluating silver carp gender.     

FISH ASSEMBLAGE RESPONSES TO DIFFERENT SECONDARY CHANNEL DESIGNS IN THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI RIVER,U.S.A.:A TEMPLATE FOR RIVER RESTORATION

The lower Mississippi River(LMR) has been heavily modified for multiple human purposes such as navigation, flood control, and bank stabilization. However, the LMR simultaneously supports a diverse fish fauna that includes recreational and commercial fisheries. Due to river training and diversion structures constructed during the past 80 years, the historic characteristics of the LMR have been drastically altered and have likely influenced fishes and fisheries in the system. One common restoration measure used throughout the LMR has been to "notch" wing-dike structures that close secondary(side) river channels. Dike notching allows year-round flows through secondary channels, which enhances habitat diversity and promotes biological productivity at the ecosystem scale. Although notching is presumed good for LMR fishes and other biota, few studies have examined its effects on fish assemblages. In this study, fish assemblages were sampled at seven LMR secondary channels spanning from river kilometer(rkm) 628(Louisiana-Mississippi, U.S.A.) upstream to rkm 1504(Missouri-Kentucky, U.S.A.). Four secondary channels were termed "permanent"(i.e.,with notched dikes) while three secondary channels were termed "temporary"(i.e., without notched dikes).Fishes were sampled by boat-mounted electrofishing conducted during falling and low stages from1995—1997. Fish assemblages differed between permanent and temporary secondary channels, and varied somewhat between falling and low stages. Gizzard shad(Dorosoma cepedianum), threadfin shad(D. petenense), and white bass(Morone chrysops) demonstrated consistent preferences for low-current conditions associated with temporary secondary channels. Conversely, blue catfish(Ictalurus furcatus), flathead catfish(Pylodictis olivaris), and freshwater drum(Aplodinotus grunniens) were more associated with permanent secondary channels. Future restoration strategies in the LMR should consider dike notching and resultant maintenance of permanent secondary channels in selected river reaches. However, temporary secondary channels also contain unique fish species, and also appear to be important sites of riverine primary production. Restoration strategies should consider a balance of both secondary channel types, which should support the greatest biodiversity for the LMR ecosystem.     

农药亚致死剂量对小菜蛾及优姬蜂种群动力学的影响(英文)

本研究通过用农药农蒙特(25×10~(-6))和氯氰菊酯(20×10~(-6))处理,采用生命表技术和控制效应来评判农药亚致死剂量对田间小菜蛾和优姬蜂种群动力学的影响。结果表明,农蒙特和氯氰菊酯对优姬蜂种群的控制效应大于对小菜蛾种群的控制效应,寄生在农蒙特处理的小菜蛾幼虫体内的优姬蜂幼虫的死亡率显著地高于氯氰菊酯处理的和对照的,表现出农蒙特对寄生蜂影响的深远性。     

黑蝗对植物气味及其挥发性化合物的嗅觉反应(英文)

本文使用触角电位技术研究了黑蝗雄虫的嗅觉反应,测试的材料包括5种植物叶片、9种植物挥发性气味化合物及它们的定量混合物。在5种植物材料中,路易斯安纳蒿和紫花苜蓿能引起更大的电位反应,而3种禾本科植物的反应相对较小。在绿色气味化合物中,6-碳醇类如E-2-hexen-l-ol和E-3-hexen-l-ol导致最高的电位反应,而pentenol、3-pentanone与空白对照间并无明显差异。在3种或4种挥发性化合物的混合物中,没有含pentenol的组合总是引起较高的电位。因此,该项研究证明pentenol和3-pentanone在这种多食性黑蝗的嗅觉定位中所起的作用不明显。另外,结合触角电位的数据资料,作者讨论了寄主植物挥发性化合物在该种蝗虫定位和选择寄主植物方面的作用。     

血小板第四因子保护造血前体细胞及其作用机制的研究

我们曾报道血小板第四因子(PF4)是巨核细胞形成的有效的抑制因子,它可以保护干细胞免遭5-FU的毒性作用。本研究中试比较PF4和TGF-β1对人脐带血CD34~ 来源的MK的作用。PF4(5μg/ml)和TGF-β1(1ng/ml)在半固态凝块培养和悬浮培养中明显抑制人脐带血CD34~ 来源的MK的生长。用PF4处理的CD34~ 细胞在撤去PF4后仍能再生成集落,说明PF4的抑制作用的可逆性的。相反,用TGF-β1预处理的CD34~ 细胞撤去TGF-β后再培养,却不能再生成集落。然而,悬浮培养中经PF4预处理的CD34~ 细胞,可大大增加SCF结合细胞和CD34抗原阳性细胞的数量。与未经PF4预处理的细胞相比,PF4预处理的细胞和CD34抗原阳性细胞的数量。与未经PF4预处理的细胞相比,PF4预处理的细胞显示有较大的使5-FU处理的细胞形成MK集落的潜力。在小鼠体内实验中,用PF4(5μg/kg)间隔6h注射两次之后,再注射一次5-FU(150mg/kg),结果,在骨髓细胞培养中,HPP-CFC和CFU-MK大大增加。在指数生长的人红白血病细胞(HEL)中,添加PF4后,流式细胞显示细胞周期延长,S期的细胞数增加。与PF4不同,TGF-β将细胞阻止在G1期。这些结果显示PF4和TGF-β1抑制脐带血CD34~ 来源的MK生长的作用机制不同。PF4不同于TGF-β,它阻止细胞在S期,可逆性抑制细胞生长,保护干细胞和巨核细胞祖细胞免遭5-FU的毒性作用。     

豌豆间期细胞核内核仁组织者区排列的非放射性原位杂交定位

以异羟基洋地黄毒甙(digoxigenin)标记的rRNA为探针与多聚甲醛固定的植物根尖振动切片原位杂交。结合免疫荧光检测分析了豌豆(Pisum sativum)间期细胞核内核仁组织者区的数目、分布和排列。研究结果发现豌豆根尖分生组织间期细胞核内有1—6个被探针分子强烈标记的位点。这些位点呈大小不等(0.24-1.98μm~3)的斑点状,分布在核仁的周边,并且与核仁相连。探针标记位点在核仁周边的排列方式随标记位点的数目不同而异。在具有四个标记位点的细胞核内,它们呈四面体,梯形或平行四边形排列。在显示原位杂交阳性的细胞核中,59.5%显示4个标记位点,少于或多于4个标记位点的细胞分别占35.7%和4.76%。探针标记位点的数目与标记位点本身的大小无明显联系,而与核仁的体积大体上呈负相关趋势。文章讨论了这些被rRNA探针标记的位点与核仁组织区及核仁形成的关系。