Single Cell Analysis Linking Ribosomal (r)DNA and rRNA Copy Numbers to Cell Size and Growth Rate Provides Insights into Molecular Protistan Ecology

Ribosomal (r)RNA and rDNA have been golden molecular markers in microbial ecology. However, it remains poorly understood how ribotype copy number (CN)‐based characteristics are linked with diversity, abundance, and activity of protist populations and communities observed at organismal levels. Here, we applied a single‐cell approach to quantify ribotype CNs in two ciliate species reared at different temperatures. We found that in actively growing cells, the per‐cell rDNA and rRNA CNs scaled with cell volume (CV) to 0.44 and 0.58 powers, respectively. The modeled rDNA and rRNA concentrations thus appear to be much higher in smaller than in larger cells. The observed rRNA:rDNA ratio scaled with CV^0.14. The maximum growth rate could be well predicted by a combination of per‐cell ribotype CN and temperature. Our empirical data and modeling on single‐cell ribotype scaling are in agreement with both the metabolic theory of ecology and the growth rate hypothesis, providing a quantitative framework for linking cellular rDNA and rRNA CNs with body size, growth (activity), and biomass stoichiometry. This study also demonstrates that the expression rate of rRNA genes is constrained by cell size, and favors biomass rather than abundance‐based interpretation of quantitative ribotype data in population and community ecology of protists.     

Chrotacumines G–J,chromone alkaloids from Dysoxylum acutangulum with osteoclast differentiation inhibitory activity

Four new chromone alkaloids, chrotacumines G–J (1–4), have been isolated from the barks of Dysoxylum acutangulum. Their structures and absolute configurations were elucidated on the basis of NMR and CD data. Chrotacumines G and J (1 and 4) showed osteoclast differentiation inhibitory activity in a dose dependent manner.     

软骨多糖对荷瘤小鼠免疫功能影响的初步研究

目的研究软骨多糖对荷瘤小鼠的作用，并探讨其对免疫功能的影响。方法采用小鼠肉瘤S180细胞建立动物腹水瘤模型，然后随机将小鼠分为生理盐水对照组和软骨多糖给药组，连续腹腔注射生理盐水或软骨多糖，分别测量ConA和LPS刺激下小鼠脾细胞淋巴增殖情况、外周血NK细胞的活性，及外周血单个核细胞E花环形成率。结果软骨多糖能刺激淋巴细胞增殖，明显提高NK细胞的活性，提高E花环形成率。结论软骨多糖能通过增强S180荷瘤小鼠的免疫功能而抑制肿瘤的生长。     

新琼寡糖对小鼠B16细胞黑色素合成的影响

目的:通过测定新琼寡糖对小鼠B16细胞黑色素合成的影响,研究新琼寡糖是否具有美白性能。方法:以小鼠B16黑素细胞作为受试细胞。选择曲酸和熊果苷为阳性对照物,测定不同聚合度的A、B系列新琼寡糖对细胞增殖、细胞内酪氨酸酶活性以及细胞内黑色素合成的影响,对不同聚合度的A、B系列新琼寡糖美白性能进行了初步评价。结果:A、B系列新琼寡糖对B16黑素细胞具有低毒性,半数抑制浓度IC50约为3000μg/L。低聚合度的A系列新琼寡糖对细胞内酪氨酸酶的抑制作用较为平稳,抑制率大约为20%,低于曲酸但与熊果苷接近;高聚合度的B系列新琼寡糖对酪氨酸酶抑制作用不明显。在低浓度下B系列新琼寡糖对黑色素合成的抑制作用高于A系列新琼寡糖,与熊果苷接近。结论:提示了A、B系列新琼寡糖可直接作用于黑素细胞,具有抑制黑色素生成的功效,具有较好的应用和开发前景。     

Neurospora crassa phytase功能区基因phy A''的克隆表达及活性变化

目的:检测N.crassa phtase功能区基因phy A′表达的Phy A′活性变化。方法:先将N.crassa phy A′克隆到表达载体pPIC9K中,然后将获得的重组质粒pPIC9K-phy′转化到毕赤氏酵母中分泌表达,分离纯化重组酶Phy A′,并测定其酶学性质。结果:与原酶相比,N.crassa Phy A′的最适温度降低、热稳定性降低以及酶活力的降低。结论:N.crassa phtase N端的前12个氨基酸对维持该酶的功能有比较重要的作用。     

Effect of oral diazepam on feeding behavior and activity of Hawai’i ’amakihi (Hemignathus virens)

Feeding behavior and activity during captivity were studied in wild-caught Hawai’i ’amakihi, Hemignathus virens, to evaluate diazepam's hyperphagic and anxiolytic effects. Birds were captured in mist nets, given either oral diazepam (1 mg/kg) or an equivalent volume per weight of lactated Ringer's solution orally, and held in captivity for 6 h. Thirteen-minute focal animal samples were videotaped at the beginning of each hour. Feeding behaviors, grooming and picking events, changes in position, and body weights were recorded. Mean duration of feeding, percentage of time spent feeding, and number of feeding events were significantly higher for treatment birds than for controls, and significantly increased over time. Feeding duration was significantly correlated to weight change. Weight change was not significantly different between groups, but on average treatment birds lost less weight than control birds. No significant differences in grooming behaviors were found between the groups, but there was a session effect of increased grooming over time in both groups. Also, a significant session effect in movement events was apparent, with control birds becoming less active and treatment birds becoming more active over time. Results indicate diazepam increased feeding behaviors and movement in this passerine species during a short period of captivity.     

非限制性内切核酸酶Sma的表达纯化工艺及性能研究

目的:大量表达非限制性内切核酸酶Sma并获得高纯度目的蛋白,对其酶活进行鉴定。方法:PCR获得Sma基因片段,构建pET28a-omp A-Sma表达载体,转入E.coli BL21(DE3)中,筛选出不同培养基下,目的蛋白可溶表达量最高的条件。通过渗透休克方法提取目的蛋白,并经离子交换纯化。检测不同的温度条件下Sma的酶活,并与商品化产品进行比较。结果:经PCR和测序证明重组蛋白表达质粒构建正确。可溶蛋白产量为7mg/L,每升培养基获得7 300k U的Sma,纯化后纯度95%,活性达273U/μl(商品化产品为250U/μl)。结论:成功地表达了可溶性非限制性内切核酸酶Sma,纯度高、活性好,各项条件下活性皆不低于商品化产品。     

Fused heterocyclic compounds bearing bridgehead nitrogen as potent HIV-1 NNRTIs. Part 1: Design,synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 5,7-disubstituted pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives

In our continuous efforts to identify novel potent HIV-1 NNRTIs, a novel class of 5,7-disubstituted pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives were rationally designed, synthesized and evaluated for their anti-HIV activities in MT4 cell cultures. Biological results showed that most of the tested compounds displayed excellent activity against wild-type HIV-1 with a wide range of EC₅₀ values from 5.98 to 0.07 μM. Among the active compounds, 5a was found to be the most promising analogue with an EC₅₀ of 0.07 μM against wild-type HIV-1 and very high selectivity index (SI, 3999). Compound 5a was more effective than the reference drugs nevirapine (by 2-fold) and delavirdine (by 2-fold). In order to further confirm their binding target, an HIV-1 RT inhibitory assay was also performed. Furthermore, SAR analysis among the newly synthesized compounds was discussed and the binding mode of the active compound 5a was rationalized by molecular modeling studies.     

Target identification of covalently binding drugs by activity-based protein profiling (ABPP)

The characterization of the target proteins of drug molecules has become an important goal in understanding its mode of action and origin of side effects due to off-target binding. This is especially important for covalently binding drugs usually containing electrophilic moieties, which potentially can react with nucleophilic residues found in many proteins. This review gives a comprehensive overview of the use of activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) as an efficient tool for the target identification of covalently binding drugs.     

Speed profiles in wheelchair court sports; comparison of two methods for measuring wheelchair mobility performance

Wheelchair mobility performance is an important aspect in most wheelchair court sports, commonly measured with an indoor tracking system or wheelchair bound inertial sensors. Both methods provide key wheelchair mobility performance outcomes regarding speed. In this study, we compared speed profiles of both methods to gain insight into the level of agreement, for recommendations regarding future performance measurement.Data were obtained from 5 male highly trained wheelchair basketball players during match play. Players were equipped simultaneously with a tag on the footplate for the indoor tracking system (∼8 Hz) and inertial sensors on both wheels and frame (199.8 Hz). Being part of a larger study on 3 vs 3 player game formats, data were collected in several matches with varying field sizes, but activity profiles closely resembled regular match play. Both systems provide similar outcomes regarding distance covered and average speed. Due to differences in sampling frequency and sensor location (reference point) on the wheelchair (for speed calculation), minor differences were revealed at low speeds (<2.5 m/s). Since both systems provide complementary features, a hybrid solution as proved feasible in this study, could possibly serve as the new gold standard for mobility performance measurement in wheelchair basketball or wheelchair court sports in general.