Mitofusin 2 decreases intracellular lipids in macrophages by regulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ

Mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) inhibits atherosclerotic plaque formation, but the underlying mechanism remains elusive. This study aims to reveal how Mfn2 functions in the atherosclerosis. Mfn2 expression was found to be significantly reduced in arterial atherosclerotic lesions of both mice and human compared with healthy counterparts. Here, we observed that Mfn2 increased cellular cholesterol transporter expression in macrophages by upregulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, an effect achieved at least partially by inhibiting extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) pathway. These findings provide insights into potential mechanisms of Mfn2-mediated alterations in cholesterol transporter expression, which may have significant implications for the treatment of atherosclerotic heart disease.     

Mycoplasmal membrane protein p37 promotes malignant changes in mammalian cells

Evidence of Mycoplasma hyorhinis infection in human gastric cancer tissues has been found in previous work. In this study, we demonstrate that the expression of p37, a membrane lipoprotein of M. hyorhinis, in mammalian cells induces antisenescence, enhances clonogenicity in soft agar, and co-operates with human epidermal growth factor receptor-related 2 to inhibit cell adhesion. Conversely, truncated p37 protein, with the first 28 amino acids deleted from its N terminal, promotes cell senescence. Taken together, our findings suggest that p37 promotes malignant changes in mammalian cells. With the identification of this molecular component, which is responsible for mycoplasma malignancy-promoting activity, it is possible that a better understanding of the relationship between M. hyorhinis infection and human gastric cancers will lead to novel diagnostics and therapeutics.     

激光诱变小麦后代材料籽粒贮藏蛋白编码基因变异的研究

本研究采用SDS—PAGE分析了冀麦七号、冀麦18和冀早15三个品种激光后代籽粒贮藏蛋白的变异情况。结果表明,高分子量麦谷蛋白和醇溶蛋白亚基变异较小,其控制位点为Glu—1和Gl—3或Gli—1;而低分子量部分变异较大,其控制位点多在Glu—3、Gli—2和Gli—3。这些变异具有一定的随机性。有关激光诱变对小麦面粉品质的影响有待进一步研究。     

小麦等离子束处理的生物学效应研究

本文以早熟品种冀麦31号和晚熟品系88—4284萌动种子为材料,报道了等离子束处理对小麦种子萌发的影响和细胞学效应。观察表明,等离子束长时间处理抑制种子发芽。在根尖细胞有丝分裂中期观察到染色体断裂和断片,冀麦31号染色体断裂的频率为0.49—1.34％,88—4284为0.21—2.14％。随着处理时间延长,染色体断裂频率逐渐提高。有丝分裂后期和末期出现大量的落后染色单体和染色体桥。在花粉母细胞减数分裂中期Ⅰ,经过等离子束处理的材料出现环状单价体。后期Ⅰ观察到染色体倒位造成的染色体桥和断片。在四分体期还有微核出现。     

Validation of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Nomogram to Predict Disease-Specific Survival after R0 Resection in a Chinese Gastric Cancer Population

Background

Prediction of disease-specific survival (DSS) for individual patient with gastric cancer after R0 resection remains a clinical concern. Since the clinicopathologic characteristics of gastric cancer vary widely between China and western countries, this study is to evaluate a nomogram from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) for predicting the probability of DSS in patients with gastric cancer from a Chinese cohort.

Methods

From 1998 to 2007, clinical data of 979 patients with gastric cancer who underwent R0 resection were retrospectively collected from Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute and used for external validation. The performance of the MSKCC nomogram in our population was assessed using concordance index (C-index) and calibration plot.

Results

The C-index for the MSKCC predictive nomogram was 0.74 in the Chinese cohort, compared with 0.69 for American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system (P<0.0001). This suggests that the discriminating value of MSKCC nomogram is superior to AJCC staging system for prognostic prediction in the Chinese population. Calibration plots showed that the actual survival of Chinese patients corresponded closely to the MSKCC nonogram-predicted survival probabilities. Moreover, MSKCC nomogram predictions demonstrated the heterogeneity of survival in stage IIA/IIB/IIIA/IIIB disease of the Chinese patients.

Conclusion

In this study, we externally validated MSKCC nomogram for predicting the probability of 5- and 9-year DSS after R0 resection for gastric cancer in a Chinese population. The MSKCC nomogram performed well with good discrimination and calibration. The MSKCC nomogram improved individualized predictions of survival, and may assist Chinese clinicians and patients in individual follow-up scheduling, and decision making with regard to various treatment options.     

A novel peptide isolated from a phage display peptide library with trastuzumab can mimic antigen epitope of HER-2

Trastuzumab, a humanized antibody to HER-2, has been shown to be effective in the treatment of breast cancer in which HER-2 overexpression and metastasis occurs. In our search for an effective mimic epitope of HER-2 binding with trastuzumab and to develop HER-2 peptide vaccine, we screened a phage display 12-mer peptide library with trastuzumab as the target. A mimetic peptide (mimotope) H98 (LLGPYELWELSH) that could specifically recognize trastuzumab was isolated. The DNA encoding peptide H98 was cloned and expressed as the fusion protein GST-H98 in Escherichia coli BL21. The purified GST-H98 could specifically bind to trastuzumab and block the binding of trastuzumab to HER-2 protein. Moreover, H98 could significantly block the function of trastuzumab inhibiting the growth of cancer cells. Mice that were immunized with GST-H98 made specific antibody to H98 as well as to HER-2. In addition, T-cell proliferation occurred in mice immunized with GST-H98. Although no sequence homology was found between H98 and HER-2, through the use of structure analysis we were able to determine that peptide H98 contributed to a conformational epitope of HER-2. Furthermore, we determined that the last two amino acids at the C terminus, and the third together with the fourth amino acid at the N terminus of peptide H98 are critical to the binding of H98 to trastuzumab. As a result, we conclude that peptide H98 has potential for being developed as a HER-2 vaccine for biotherapy of cancer with HER-2 overexpression.     

广西英罗港红树林潮沟鱼类多样性季节动态研究

于1999年分4个季节来采用拦网的方法对广西英罗港红树林潮沟水中鱼类的多样性进行了研究,共发现鱼类54种,隶属于29种44属,季度出现频数F=1～4的鱼类种数分别为27、8、11和8种,各季的优势种明显,但不同季节最大优势种不同,分别为：春季、斑Ji（Clupanodon punctatus);夏季,前鳞骨鲻（Osteomugil ophuyseni）;秋季,眶棘双边鱼（Ambassis gymnocephalus）;冬季,鹿斑Fu（Leiognathus ruconius）,这些鱼类以暖水性种占绝对优势,在生态类型上以底层种类较多,各季节出现鱼类种数分别为：春季30种、夏季30种,秋季26种,冬种22种,夏季与秋季共有种最多,有20个种,这两季节间的相似性指数也最大,达55.6%,多样性指数D、H′、J值均以秋季最高,相对于林外水域,红树林潮沟鱼类群落的鱼类种数及3个指数均较高,跟热带红树林区相比,广西英罗港红树林潮沟鱼类群落的多样性低。     

Glutathione S-Transferase M1 (GSTM1) and T1 (GSTT1) Null Polymorphisms and the Risk of Hypertension: A Meta-Analysis

Background

Some studies have recently focused on the association between glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) and glutathione S-transferase T1 (GSTT1) null polymorphisms and hypertension; however, results have been inconsistent.

Objective

In order to drive a more precise estimation, the present systematic review and meta-analysis is performed to investigate the relationship between the GSTM1 and GSTT1 null polymorphisms and hypertension.

Methods

Eligible articles were identified by a search of several bibliographic databases for the period up to August 17, 2013. Odds ratios were pooled using either fixed-effects or random-effects models.

Results

Regarding the GSTM1 null/present genotype, 14 case—control studies were eligible (2773 hypertension cases and 3189 controls). The meta-analysis revealed that it might present a small increased risk for hypertension, although the effect was not statistically significant (odd ratio (OR) = 1.16, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.96, 1.40; P = 0.002, I2 = 59.8%). Further subgroup analysis by ethnicity and control source suggested that the association was still not significant. Thirteen case—control studies were eligible for GSTT1 (2497 hypertension cases and 3078 controls). No statistically significant association was observed between the GSTT1 null genotype and hypertension risk (OR = 1.14, 95% CI: 0.85, 1.53; P = 0.000, I2 = 80.3%). Furthermore, stratification by ethnicity and control source indicated no association between the GSTT1 null genotype and hypertension risk. We further confirmed the association by sensitivity analysis. No publication bias was detected.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis suggests that the GSTM1 and GSTT1 null polymorphisms are not associated with the risk of hypertension. Future large well-designed epidemiological studies with individual information, lifestyle factors, and environmental factors are warranted to validate the present findings.     

离子注入烟草种子引起的M1代变异分析

利用随机引物扩增ＤＮＡ（ＲＡＰＤ）技术及ＳＤＳ－聚丙烯酰胺蛋白电泳技术,对３０ｋｅｖＮ＋离子注入后的烟草Ｍ１代ＤＮＡ及叶片水溶性蛋白进行分析,通过ＲＡＰＤ反应,检测到ＰＣＲ条带的缺失和增加,而对照植株未发现条带明显变化,并且条带变异率随剂量的增加而上升。６０次的剂量对烟草（红花大金元）诱变效果较好,有相对较高的成活率和变异率。还发现Ｎ＋离子注入后,Ｍ１代叶片水溶性蛋白与对照相比有明显变异;Ｍ１代植株株高普遍高于对照,并出现少数表型变异。