A new role for PGRP-S (Tag7) in immune defense: lymphocyte migration is induced by a chemoattractant complex of Tag7 with Mts1

PGRP-S (Tag7) is an innate immunity protein involved in the antimicrobial defense systems, both in insects and in mammals. We have previously shown that Tag7 specifically interacts with several proteins, including Hsp70 and the calcium binding protein S100A4 (Mts1), providing a number of novel cellular functions. Here we show that Tag7–Mts1 complex causes chemotactic migration of lymphocytes, with NK cells being a preferred target. Cells of either innate immunity (neutrophils and monocytes) or acquired immunity (CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ lymphocytes) can produce this complex, which confirms the close connection between components of the 2 branches of immune response.     

吐鲁番市胃食管反流病发生相关危险因素分析（附280例报道）

目的：探讨280例胃食管反流病（GERD）的分布特点及危险因素。方法：对临床诊断和胃镜确诊的280例GERD患者进行临床和风险因子相关性分析。结果：不论汉族还是维族,男性患者比例均明显高于女性;汉族患者高发年龄段早于维族患者（z=-2．939,P=0．003,）;汉族和维族患者占反流性食管炎和Barrett食管比例分别为42．4％、81_3％及56．5％、18．8％,其中汉族患者Barrett食管比例较高（X2=14．358,P=0．000）;肥胖、习惯性便秘、重体力活动者、饮食习惯不良在维族患者中的比例较高（P〈0．001）。结论：GERD与性别、年龄密切相关,男性多于女性,汉族患者发病年龄高峰旱于维族患者;汉族患者Barrett食管发生比例高于维族患者;肥胖、习惯性便秘、重体力活动、饮食习惯不良可能是GERD尤其是维族人群GERD的危险因素。     

Activity of antifungal agents alone and in combination against echinocandin-susceptible and -resistant Candida parapsilosis strains

Background

Candida parapsilosis may acquire resistance to echinocandins, a fact that prompts the search for new therapeutic options.

Evaluation of the Adherence of Candida Species to Urinary Catheters

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are the most common kind of nosocomial infection. Recent years have seen a significant increase in numbers of infections caused by yeasts of the genus Candida. The adherence of a microorganism to the host surface is a decisive factor in the success of colonization and the pathogenesis of infection. The objective of this work was to evaluate the adherence of species of the genus Candida to urinary catheters. In vitro adherence to the sections of latex and silicon catheters of Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis were studied. Adherence was measured by counting the number of adhering viable cells and the results were expressed as Colonies Forming Units per mL. The results demonstrated that the latex catheter facilitated adherence more than the silicon catheter (p < 0.01). The adherence of the C. albicans was significantly greater than C. parapsilosis on latex, but it was similar on silicon.     

Examination of Potential Virulence Factors of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida tropicalis</Emphasis> Clinical Isolates From Hospitalized Patients

Candida tropicalis has been reported to be one of the Candida species which is most likely to cause bloodstream and urinary tract infections in hospitalized patients. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to characterize the virulence of C. tropicalis by assessing antifungal susceptibility and comparing the expression of several virulence factors. This study was conducted with seven isolates of C. tropicalis from urine and blood cultures and from central venous catheter. C. tropicalis ATCC 750 was used as reference strain. Yeasts adhered (2 h) to epithelial cells and silicone and 24 h biofilm biomass were determined by crystal violet staining. Pseudohyphae formation ability was determined after growth in fetal bovine serum. Enzymes production (hemolysins, proteases, phospholipases) was assessed by halo formation on agar plates. Susceptibility to antifungal agents was determined by E-test. Regarding adhesion, it can be highlighted that C. tropicalis strains adhered significantly more to epithelium than to silicone. Furthermore, all C. tropicalis strains were able to form biofilms and to express total hemolytic activity. However, protease was only produced by two isolates from urine and by the isolates from catheter and blood. Moreover, only one C. tropicalis (from catheter) was phospholipase positive. All isolates were susceptible to voriconazole, fluconazole and amphotericin B. Four strains were susceptible-dose dependent to itraconazole and one clinical isolate was found to be resistant.     

湖南省双季稻生产系统碳效率

提高农作物生产系统的碳效率是实现低碳农业的重要途径之一.本文采用2004—2012年农作物产量、农田作物生产系统农资投入等统计数据,利用生命周期法和投入产出法,对湖南省双季稻生产系统碳排放、碳吸收和碳效率特征及其动态进行估算.结果表明:湖南省2004—2012年双季稻生产系统年均碳排放总量为656.4×107kg CE,其中化肥和农药生产运输碳排放占农资投入碳排放总量的大部分,分别约占70.0%和15.9%,碳排放总量年际间持续降低,年均降低率为2.4%,碳排放强度则表现为增长趋势;湖南双季稻生产系统2004—2012年年均碳吸收总量为1547.0×107kg C,也呈现逐年降低的趋势,年降低率为1.2%,单位面积稻田碳吸收强度则表现为增长趋势;碳生产效率呈现缓慢增加的趋势,碳经济效率随着年份递进增加幅度较大,年均增长率为9.9%,碳生态效率则表现为稳定且较低,保持在2.4kg C·kg-1CE左右.表明湖南近几年双季稻生产系统碳综合效率提高缓慢,降低肥料和农药的投入量,提高利用效率是提高双季稻生产系统碳效率的关键.     

无症状吸烟者的肺功能改变情况分析

目的:探讨烟龄≥15年,日吸烟量≥15支的无症状男性吸烟者的肺功能改变情况。方法:选择男性无症状吸烟者190人及非吸烟者180人,进行肺功能测定,并比较两组人群的肺功能改变情况。结果:吸烟组与非吸烟组比较,肺活量(VC)、用力肺活量(FVC)、第1秒用力呼气容积(FEV1)、Tiffeneau 1秒率(FEV1/VC)结果改变不明显,而Gaensler 1秒率(FEV1/FVC)、最大分钟通气量(MVV)、用力呼气50%肺活量的呼气流量(FEF50%)、用力呼气75%肺活量的呼气流量(FEF75%)、呼出25%～75%肺活量时的平均流量(FEF25%～75%)、肺一氧化碳弥散量(DLCO)结果均有显著降低,有统计学意义。结论:通过对无症状吸烟人群肺功能测定结果进行分析。发现有些吸烟者虽无临床症状,但已经出现了小气道及肺弥散功能的损伤,提醒吸烟者应早期戒烟,关爱自身健康,净化生存环境,提高生活质量。     

Antifungal activity of propolis extract against yeasts isolated from onychomycosis lesions

The aim of this study was to determine the in vitro activity of propolis extract against 67 yeasts isolated from onychomycosis in patients attending at the Teaching and Research Laboratory of Clinical Analysis of the State University of Maringá. The method used was an adaptation made from the protocol approved by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards. The yeasts tested were: Candida parapsilosis 35%, C. tropicalis 23%, C. albicans 13%, and other species 29%. The propolis extract showed excellent performance regarding its antifungal activity: the concentration capable of inhibiting the all of the yeasts was 5 x 10(-2) mg/ml of flavonoids and 2 x 10(-2) mg/ml of flavonoids stimulated their cellular death. Trichosporon sp. were the most sensitive species, showing MIC50 and MIC90 of 1.25 x 10(-2) mg/ml of flavonoids, and C. tropicalis was the most resistant, with CFM50 of 5 x 10(-2) mg/ml of flavonoids and MFC90 of 10 x 10(-2) mg/ml. In view of the fact that propolis is a natural, low cost, nontoxic product with proven antifungal activity, it should be considered as another option in the onychomycosis treatment.     

棉叶中棉酚的快速提取与测定方法研究

棉酚(G)及其相关物甲氧基半棉酚(DHG)、半棉酚酮(HGQ)、半棉酚(HG)、杀实夜蛾素(H1-4)等是棉花中重要的抗虫性萜烯类次生物质.利用高效液相色谱法(HPLC)对棉酚及其相关物进行了分离,测定了棉叶中的棉酚含量,讨论了不同的提取方法和测定条件对结果的影响,给出了一套简便、快速的分析测试方法,同时与紫外-可见分光光度法(苯胺法)的结果进行了对比,认为对于棉花的抗虫性的研究来说,HPLC是比较适宜的方法.