Analysis of glycosphingolipid-derived oligosaccharides by high pH anion exchange chromatography

As an adjunct to existing thin layer and column chromatographic methods for the identification of glycolipids a method that utilizes the high pH anion chromatographic (HPAEC) analysis of the oligosaccharides released from the glycolipids by endoglycoceramidase has been developed. Using a Dionex Carbo Pak PA1 column and elution with a linear gradient of sodium acetate in 0.2M NaOH, the elution times of eight neutral and fourteen acidic oligosaccharides derived from glycolipids were determined. Under these conditions the neutral oligosaccharides were well separated from each other but some of the acidic oligosaccharides had overlapping elution times. The ganglioside-derived oligosaccharides could be further identified by treating them with sialidase or by mild acid hydrolysis and reanalysing the products by HPAEC. The method was applied to the analysis of mixed bovine brain gangliosides. The procedure provides an additional approach for the initial identification of glycolipids by analysing the component oligosaccharides rather than the intact glycolipids.     

In vitro antifungal activity and mode of action of selected polyphenolic antioxidants on Botrytis cinerea

Six selected antioxidants (catechin, quercetin-3-galactoside, cyanidin-3-glucoside, pelargonidin-3-glucoside, ellagic and gallic acids) were evaluated in vitro for their antifungal activities and mode of action on Botrytis cinerea Pers., one of the most important pathogens of strawberries. Inhibitory effects were found for all the tested antioxidants, but varied at different fungal developmental stages. Catechin and quercetin-3-galactoside showed linear inhibitory effects on germ tube elongation, with the highest suppression ratios of 54.8% and 58.8% respectively. No significant effect was found on spore germination between treatments and control. Gallic acid showed very strong and linear inhibition on spore germination (r = ?0.95), but the effect diminished after spore germination. Cyanidin-3-glucoside and pelargonidin-3-glucoside provided effective control on the fungi as concentrations increased. The arresting effect of ellagic acid on development of B. cinerea was quadratic. Ellagic acid inhibited germ tube elongation and mycelial growth at its highest and lowest concentrations, while no effects were observed at its medium concentration used in this study.     

Serial in vivo imaging of the targeted migration of human HSV-TK-transduced antigen-specific lymphocytes

New technologies are needed to characterize the migration, survival, and function of antigen-specific T cells in vivo. Here, we demonstrate that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)--specific T cells transduced with vectors encoding herpes simplex virus-1 thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) selectively accumulate radiolabeled 2'-fluoro-2'-deoxy-1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl-5-iodouracil (FIAU). After adoptive transfer, HSV-TK+ T cells labeled in vitro or in vivo with [131I]FIAU or [124I]FIAU can be noninvasively tracked in SCID mice bearing human tumor xenografts by serial images obtained by scintigraphy or positron emission tomography (PET), respectively. These T cells selectively accumulate in EBV+ tumors expressing the T cells' restricting HLA allele but not in EBV- or HLA-mismatched tumors. The concentrations of transduced T cells detected in tumors and tissues are closely correlated with the concentrations of label retained at each site. Radiolabeled transduced T cells retain their capacity to eliminate targeted tumors selectively. This technique for imaging the migration of ex vivo-transduced antigen-specific T cells in vivo is informative, nontoxic, and potentially applicable to humans.     

The role of GTPase-activating protein ARHGAP26 in human cancers

Rho GTPases are molecular switches that play an important role in regulating the behavior of a variety of tumor cells. RhoA GTPase-activating protein 26 (ARHGAP26) is a GTPase-activating protein and inhibits the activity of Rho GTPases by promoting the hydrolytic ability of Rho GTPases. It also affects tumorigenesis and progression of various tumors through several methods, including formation of abnormal fusion genes and circular RNA. This review summarizes the biological functions and molecular mechanisms of ARHGAP26 in different tumors, proposes the potential clinical value of ARHGAP26 in cancer treatment, and discusses current issues that need to be addressed.

     

A remote-query sensor for predictive indication of milk spoilage

Described is application of the remote-query (wireless, passive) magnetoelastic sensor platform for direct detection and monitoring of bacterium contamination of milk within hermetically sealed containers. Specific application is made to the quantification of Staphylococcus aureus ssp. anaerobius (S. aureus) concentrations in milk. S. aureus growth changes milk viscosity, in turn changing the resonance frequency of the liquid immersed sensor allowing S. aureus concentrations of 10³ to 10⁷ cells ml⁻¹ to be directly quantified.     

Optimization of culturing conditions for production of somatic embryos and lignins of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Schisandra chinensis</Emphasis> (Turcz.) Baill

Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. is a valuable medicinal plant species increasingly used in phytotherapy worldwide. This study systematically detected the lignin content and production during somatic embryogenesis of S. chinensis. The effect of various culture parameters on biomass accumulation and lignin production were also examined to optimize the accumulation of lignins in SEs in bioreactors, including the culture method, inoculum density, aeration volume and photoperiod. An inoculum density of 20 g L^??1 embryogenic calli enhanced production of lignin, while 30 g L^??1 embryogenic calli increased the biomass of somatic embryos. During somatic embryo induction, an aeration volume of 0.2 vvm and photoperiod of 16 h day^??1 were found to be optimal for biomass accumulation and lignin production. An approximately threefold increase in the biomass production rate and a fourfold increase in the total lignin production rate in SEs were achieved in bioreactors than on solid medium. The present study indicated, therefore, that the culturing of S. chinensis somatic embryos in bioreactors is an effective method for the industrialized production of lignin in vitro.     

我国首次发现的暗纹节菱孢所致皮肤真菌病的毒理实验及病理分析

从患者皮损处皮屑及活检组织中分离出的暗纹节菱孢Arthriniumphaeospermum（Corda）Ellis菌株制成混悬菌液,用兔、豚鼠及小鼠（LACA）进行动物毒理实验。表皮直接涂抹法接种,四周后未见皮肤损害;划破表皮涂沫法及皮下注射法接种,两周后实验动物的皮肤都出现浸润性斑块、小给节、皮下脓肿及脱毛的症状,对照组动物正常。再用腹腔注射法接种,小鼠两周后死亡,病解所见,腹膜、肠系膜、腹壁及肝等处,均出现散在的灰白色小脓肿;心、肺、肝、脾及肾均有病变。豚鼠两周后仍存活,当即处死解剖所见与小鼠病解改变相同。对实验动物皮损、腹膜、肠系膜、胃及肝等处的小脓肿组织进行了病理检查,结果发现皮损及器官组织均有明显的病理浸润,由多种细胞构成的浸润性肉芽肿。在病理浸润内可见大小不等的球形、卵圆形、棱形及晶体形的棕色、红色孢子．其病理改变与患者皮损病理改变相一致,其不同点是实验动物有小脓肿,肉芽肿内可见多核巨噬细胞,而在病人皮损中很少见到。     

山葡萄种质资源DNA条形码通用序列的筛选

对山葡萄(Vitis amurensis)种质资源样品的ITS、ITS2、psb A-trn H、rbc L和mat K序列进行PCR扩增及测序,优化PCR反应的退火温度,比较各序列的扩增效率、测序成功率、品种间和品种内的差异及barcoding gap图,使用BLAST和NJ树法比较不同序列的鉴定能力,最终从5条DNA片段中筛选出可用于山葡萄种质资源鉴定的DNA条形码通用序列。结果表明,在采集的11份33个山葡萄样品中,psb A-trn H和ITS2序列的扩增与测序成功率较高,其品种间、品种内差异及barcoding gap较ITS、rbc L和mat K序列具有明显的优势,且ITS2序列能够鉴别psb A-trn H序列无法鉴别的品种。实验证明,ITS2和psb A-trn H序列是较适合鉴别山葡萄资源的DNA条形码序列组合。DNA条形码弥补了形态学鉴定的不足,可为山葡萄种质资源的准确鉴定提供科学依据。