中国柴胡属植物叶表皮特征及系统学意义

利用光学显微镜和扫描电镜对我国柴胡属（Bupleurum L．）13种（含1变种）植物的叶表皮进行了观察,首次报道了它们的微形态特征。结果表明：除了大叶柴胡（B．longiradiatum Turczaninow）气孔器仅存在于下表皮,其余12种柴胡的上、下表皮都存在气孔器,气孔器类型包括不规则型和不等型两种。叶表皮细胞形状为多边形或不规则型,垂周壁式样可区分为平直一弓形、浅波状。保卫细胞壁加厚明显,极端联合形成极层结构。在扫描电镜下,气孔器内陷于表皮细胞间。角质膜条纹状,有的条纹隆起,有的条纹上附有蜡质胶状分泌物和鳞片。光镜和电镜下叶表皮柴胡属微形态表现出相当高的多态性;而在特定的分类群中,又表现为高度的一致性,为种间分类提供了新的证据。     

中国卫矛属植物叶表皮微形态特征及其分类学意义

利用光学显微镜和扫描电子显微镜对中国卫矛属(Euonymus L.)24种以及沟瓣属（Glyptopetalum Thw.）3种植物的叶表皮微形态特征进行了观察研究,测量并统计了气孔器长宽比、密度和气孔指数。结果显示,两属植物叶表皮微形态特征基本一致：叶上、下表皮细胞形状多为多边形,垂周壁平直-弓形;气孔器通常仅分布在叶下表皮;均具有无规则型气孔器,部分种还具环列型气孔器。扫描电镜下角质膜纹饰、表皮细胞界限及气孔特征在一些种间存在差异,可以作为区分部分近缘种类的参考依据。     

中国秋海棠属植物的叶表皮特征及其分类学意义

在光学显微镜下,对中国秋海棠属(Begonia)植物7组52种2变种的叶表皮进行观察。结果表明秋海棠属植物叶表皮形态在属内组间具有较大的相似性,表皮细胞为多边形或近多边形,垂周壁平直或弓形,大多数种类表皮细胞内具有晶体,气孔器仅分布于下表皮,且以不等型为主。叶表皮综合特征,例如表皮细胞形状,表皮毛类型,表皮细胞内晶体的类型和形态,气孔器形态以及与一些种类独有特征的组合,在种间,尤其在近缘种之间具有明显的差异。     

杜鹃花属映山红亚属植物叶表皮显微形态特征及其分类学意义

为澄清映山红亚属(Rhododendron subg. Tsutsusi)内的系统关系问题,该研究选择杜鹃花属映山红亚属37种植物作为对象,其中29种为首次报道,通过扫描电镜观察其叶表皮显微特征。结果表明:(1)气孔器均为无规则型且均在远轴面。(2)根据叶片微形态特征将映山红亚属的种类分为杜鹃型(R. simisii-type)、岭南杜鹃型(R. mariae-type)、皋月杜鹃型(R. indicum-type)、崖壁杜鹃型(R. saxatile-type)及丁香杜鹃型(R. farrerae-type)5种类型。(3)杜鹃型植物的气孔器周边无或具间断的条形突起。(4)岭南杜鹃型植物的气孔器周围有多层条形突起环绕,保卫细胞两极不具T型加厚。(5)皋月杜鹃型植物的叶表皮保卫细胞两极具有T型加厚,与叶状苞亚属(Subg. Therorhodion)叶状苞杜鹃(R. redowskianum)的气孔器特征相似,推测其与叶状苞亚属具有一定的亲缘关系。(6)崖壁杜鹃型植物的叶表皮毛单一,多呈卷曲状,与其他类型有所不同且未见腺体。(7)丁香杜鹃型植物的叶表皮仅有腺体。(8)依据叶表皮微形态特征讨论了一些近缘种类的关系,如倾向于将背绒杜鹃(R. hypoblematosum)和千针叶杜鹃(R. polyraphidoideum)处理为独立的种,支持保留紫薇春(R. naamkwanense var. cryptonerve)作为南昆杜鹃(R. naamkwanense)的变种地位,不支持将腺花杜鹃(R. adenanthum)并入细瘦杜鹃(R. tenue)作异名处理等。该研究结果表明叶表皮显微特征在映山红亚属内物种划分上具有重要价值。     

山茶属的叶表皮形态及其分类学意义

在光学显微镜下观察了山茶属（Camellia)19个组36个代表种的叶表皮形态,发现上述植物的叶上下表皮细胞表面观形状均为不规则形,气孔器仅在下表皮存在,且一致为环列型;对上述植物中18个组30个种的叶下表皮进行扫描电镜观察,其特片为：气孔形状为梭形或长卵形,气孔外拱盖内缘光滑或呈浅波状,波状,气孔器附近的角质膜平坦或皱褶,表面光滑或有多种纹饰,这些特征可作为区分种或变种的依据,但与植物的外部形态等特征没有相关性。     

鹿药属植物叶表皮特征及其系统学意义

采用光学显微镜和扫描电镜对鹿药属12种植物的叶表皮进行了观察,首次报道了12种鹿药属(Sm ilaci-na)植物叶表皮的微形态特征。结果表明:气孔器普遍存在于叶的下表皮,少数种的上表皮也有分布,均为不规则形。叶表皮细胞形状为多边形或不规则形,垂周壁式样可区分为近平直、浅波状和波状。在扫描电镜下,叶表皮气孔器外拱盖内缘为近平滑、浅波状或波状;角质膜条纹状,有的条纹隆起,有的条纹上附有颗粒和晶簇。气孔器的分布、气孔器外拱盖内缘形态以及角质膜等特征对该属部分种的区分具有一定的参考价值。     

中国薯蓣属植物叶表皮微形态特征及其分类学意义

利用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)对中国薯蓣科薯蓣属7组31种1亚种2变种植物的叶表皮细胞、叶表皮毛、气孔器类型、气孔大小、气孔纹饰等叶表皮微形态特征进行了观察和比较研究,为薯蓣属内种间的分类界定及系统发育研究提供证据。结果表明:中国薯蓣属各组之间在叶表皮毛、叶表皮细胞和气孔等微形态特征存在较大的差异,但也呈现出一定的组间特异性规律,如:四至六边形的叶表皮细胞、气孔周围平直的垂周壁式样为根茎组植物所特有;丁字型毛组叶脉和叶肉细胞上覆盖大量特有的2叉T型表皮毛;复叶组的叶脉和叶肉细胞具相当密集的表皮毛;基生翅组和周生翅组的气孔器类型衍生出了三胞型;气孔旋转方向在各组中明显分化,在丁字型毛组、白薯莨组和周生翅组(多毛叶薯蓣除外)中为左旋,而顶生翅组、基生翅组和复叶组表现为右旋。研究表明,叶表皮微形态特征在薯蓣属植物中是较为稳定的演化特征,可以作为中国薯蓣属分类与鉴定的依据;据此推断薯蓣属中顶生翅组和周生翅组较为进化,根茎组是薯蓣属的分化中心;对薯蓣属中存在争议的种:盾叶薯蓣和小花盾叶薯蓣、穿龙薯蓣和柴黄姜、马肠薯蓣、多毛叶薯蓣以及白薯莨等进行了分类界定。     

鹅观草属部分种的叶表皮微形态特征及其分类学意义

在过去叶表皮实验的基础上,本从鹅观草属不同组、系中新增解剖了１６个有代表性的种。根据这些种叶片反映的表皮微形态特征,进一步证实了鹅观草属共族分属以及属下类群划分的正确性,揭示了属中各主要类群的演化水平和系统发育关系。研究结果最后表明：鹅观草属的半颖组最原始,在系统发育中它可能既派生了较进化的小颖组和大颖组,又派生了最进化的长颖组;在大颖组中,齿草系较原始,纤毛草系较进化,宽叶草系最进化,纤毛草系     

甘草属植物叶表皮特征及其系统学意义

应用叶片离析法和石蜡切片法,在光学显微镜下观察了国产甘草属植物10种1变种共16个代表植物的叶表皮特征。统计并测量叶表皮气孔大小、气孔密度及气孔指数。结果表明,该属植物叶表皮细胞形态(表面观)为多边形和不规则形,垂周壁式样为平直、浅波缘、深波缘;气孔器有6种类型,以无规则型、不等型、短平列型为主,一种植物往往具有2~3种气孔器;毛状体为单毛和鳞片毛两种类型。以上特征在属以下、种以上的分类等级具有一定规律性,有的也表现出种间差异,对甘草属属以下等级的划分有重要价值,同时也为本属一些分类群间的系统关系的探讨提供佐证。     

石竹属植物叶表皮特征及其系统学意义

用光学显微镜和扫描电镜,对石竹属12个种的植物叶表皮特征进行观察,统计并测量叶表皮气孔大小、气孔密度及气孔指数。结果表明,石竹属植物叶表皮细胞形态(表面观)为长方形和不规则多边形。乳突只存在于针叶石竹、高石竹和细茎石竹中。按气孔形状可将其分为了3个类型:椭圆形、卵圆形和长方形。研究结果对石竹属的系统分类和种间亲缘关系研究具有一定的参考价值。     

Diagnosis of Distant Metastasis of Lung Cancer: Based on Clinical and Radiomic Features

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the distant metastasis possibility based on computed tomography (CT) radiomic features in patients with lung cancer. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of 348 patients with lung cancer enrolled between 2014 and February 2015. A feature set containing clinical features and 485 radiomic features was extracted from the pretherapy CT images. Feature selection via concave minimization (FSV) was used to select effective features. A support vector machine (SVM) was used to evaluate the predictive ability of each feature. RESULTS: Four radiomic features and three clinical features were obtained by FSV feature selection. Classification accuracy by the proposed SVM with SGD method was 71.02%, and the area under the curve was 72.84% with only the radiomic features extracted from CT. After the addition of clinical features, 89.09% can be achieved. CONCLUSION: The radiomic features of the pretherapy CT images may be used as predictors of distant metastasis. And it also can be used in combination with the patient's gender and tumor T and N phase information to diagnose the possibility of distant metastasis in lung cancer.     

Quantitative Biomarkers for Prediction of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutation in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

OBJECTIVES: To predict epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation status using quantitative radiomic biomarkers and representative clinical variables. METHODS: The study included 180 patients diagnosed as of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with their pre-therapy computed tomography (CT) scans. Using a radiomic method, 485 features that reflect the heterogeneity and phenotype of tumors were extracted. Afterwards, these radiomic features were used for predicting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation status by a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) based on multivariable logistic regression. As a result, we found that radiomic features have prognostic ability in EGFR mutation status prediction. In addition, we used radiomic nomogram and calibration curve to test the performance of the model. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis revealed that the radiomic features had the potential to build a prediction model for EGFR mutation. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for the training cohort was 0.8618, and the AUC for the validation cohort was 0.8725, which were superior to prediction model that used clinical variables alone. CONCLUSION: Radiomic features are better predictors of EGFR mutation status than conventional semantic CT image features or clinical variables to help doctors to decide who need EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment.     

Ramanome technology platform for label-free screening and sorting of microbial cell factories at single-cell resolution

Phenotypic profiling of natural, engineered or synthetic cells has increasingly become a bottleneck in the mining and engineering of cell factories. Single-cell phenotyping technologies are highly promising for tackling this hurdle, yet ideally they should allow non-invasive live-cell probing, be label-free, provide landscape-like phenotyping capability, distinguish complex functions, operate with high speed, sufficient throughput and low cost, and finally, couple with cell sorting so as to enable downstream omics analysis. This review focuses on recent progress in Ramanome Technology Platform (RTP), which consists of Raman spectroscopy based phenotyping, sorting and sequencing of single cells, and discuss the key challenges and emerging trends. In addition, we propose ramanome, a collection of single-cell Raman spectra (SCRS) acquired from individual cells within a cellular population or consortium, as a new type of biological phenome datatype at the single-cell resolution. By establishing the phenome-genome links in a label-free, single-cell manner, RTP should find wide applications in functional screening and strain development of live microbial, plant and animal cell factories.     

Characterization of the genome of a Nocardia strain isolated from soils in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau that specifically degrades crude oil and of this biodegradation

A strain of Nocardia isolated from crude oil-contaminated soils in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau degrades nearly all components of crude oil. This strain was identified as Nocardia soli Y48, and its growth conditions were determined. Complete genome sequencing showed that N. soli Y48 has a 7.3 Mb genome and many genes responsible for hydrocarbon degradation, biosurfactant synthesis, emulsification and other hydrocarbon degradation-related metabolisms. Analysis of the clusters of orthologous groups (COGs) and genomic islands (GIs) revealed that Y48 has undergone significant gene transfer events to adapt to changing environmental conditions (crude oil contamination). The structural features of the genome might provide a competitive edge for the survival of N. soli Y48 in oil-polluted environments and reflect the adaptation of coexisting bacteria to distinct nutritional niches.     

Serum MicroRNAs Related with Chemoradiotherapy Resistance in Advanced-Stage Cervical Squamous Cell Carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the serum microRNAs as biomarkers in predicting chemoradiotherapy resistance in advanced-stage cervical squamous cell carcinoma (ACSCC) patients. METHODS: Serum samples were collected from International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IIB to IIIB cervical squamous cell carcinoma patients treated with platinum based Concomitant Chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in our hospital during September 2013 to November 2015. Twenty well-matched samples (10 resistant and 10 sensitive) were chosen to screen the miRNA expression profile using serum samples pooled with microarrays. miRNAs expressed significantly different between two groups were further verified in 131 patients (29 resistant and 102 sensitive) serum samples with TaqMan Real-time PCR. The AUC was used to evaluate the accuracy of the biomarkers for prediction. RESULTS: MiR-136-5, miR-152-3p and miR-206 were expressed significantly different between sensitive and resistant groups. Results of 131 patients verification showed that the levels of miR-206 in sensitive samples and resistant samples were 2.715 ± 0.2115 and 14.64 ± 1.184, respectively, which was significantly different (P < .0001), while miR-136-5p and miR-152-3p could not be tested without pre-amplification reactions. Univariate analysis revealed that miR-206 expression was significantly associated with patients' DFS. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that miR-206 expression, tumor differentiation and pelvic lymph nodes metastasis were the independent prognostic factors associated with DFS in this cohort (P = .008, 0.000, 0.000, respectively). The probability of the prognostic accuracy of miR-206 expression in predicting chemoradiotherapy sensitivity of ACSCC patients was 91.3% (79.3% sensitivity and 92.2% specificity). CONCLUSION: Serum miR-206 is a powerful tool in predicting chemoradiotherapy sensitivity in ACSCC patients.     

Metal ion-biomolecule interactions. II. Methylmercuration of the deprotonated amino groups in adenine,guanine, and cytosine derivatives,and its relationship to amino group acidity

Proton nmr spectroscopic evidence is presented for methylmercury(II) binding to the deprotonated amino groups in adenosine, 9-methyladenine, guanosine, 1-methylguanosine, and cytidine under basic conditions. Except for the guanosine case, ¹H nmr spectra of the products from aqueous or ethanolic 1:1 mixtures of substrate and MeHgOH are consistent with methylmercuration of the deprotonated amino groups. Guanosine undergoes initial binding of MeHg to N₁, and a second equivalent of MeHgOH is necessary to effect amino binding. The nmr spectra of the complexed adenine derivatives suggest that different geometrical isomers exist in (CD₃)₂SO solution, reflecting the partial double bond character of the C₆N bond in these systems. Using a correlation relating the magnitude of the ¹⁹⁹Hg-¹H coupling constant (J) for MeHg-ligand complexes with the ligand pK_a (J = ?3.88 pK_a + 248.5, extending over 13 pK units, based on a variety of N and O donor ligands), estimates (± 0.3 pK unit) of the pK_as of the amino groups of the above substrates have been made. In this way, pK_a values of 15.5 (cytidine), 17.0 (adenosine and 9-methyladenine), 15.1 (guanosine), and 14.9 (1-methylguanosine) are obtained. In the cases where comparisons with literature pK_a data can be made, good agreement is found.     

The first cupedine beetle from Burmese amber (Coleoptera: Cupedidae)

A rare archaic beetle, Mallecupes qingqingae gen. et sp. n., (Insecta: Coleoptera: Archostemata: Cupedidae) is described from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber. It shows affinity with Paracupes found in South America today and ‘Paracupes’ found in North America during the Cretaceous. Archostemata are diverse in Burmese amber.     

Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index and Circulating T-Cell Immune Index Predict Outcomes in High-Risk Acral Melanoma Patients Treated with High-Dose Interferon

High-dose interferon alfa-2b (IFN-α-2b) improves the survival of patients with high-risk melanoma. We aimed to identify baseline peripheral blood biomarkers to predict the outcome of acral melanoma patients treated with IFN-α-2b. Pretreatment baseline parameters and clinical data were assessed in 226 patients with acral melanoma. Relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and multivariate Cox regression analyses were applied after adjusting for stage, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and ulceration. Univariate analysis showed that neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio ≥2.35, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio ≥129, systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) ≥615 × 10⁹/l, and elevated LDH were significantly associated with poor RFS and OS. The SII is calculated as follows: platelet count × neutrophil count/lymphocyte count. On multivariate analysis, the SII was associated with RFS [hazard ratio (HR)=1.661, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.066-2.586, P=.025] and OS (HR=2.071, 95% CI: 1.204-3.564, P=.009). Additionally, we developed a novel circulating T-cell immune index (CTII) calculated as follows: cytotoxic T lymphocytes/(CD4⁺ regulatory T cells × CD8⁺ regulatory T cells). On univariate analysis, the CTII was associated with OS (HR=1.73, 95% CI: 1.01-2.94, P=.044). The SII and CTII might serve as prognostic indicators in acral melanoma patients treated with IFN-α-2b. The indexes are easily obtainable via routine tests in clinical practice.     

Safety and Efficacy of Apatinib Combined with Temozolomide in Advanced Melanoma Patients after Conventional Treatment Failure

OBJECTIVE: Asian melanoma patients, predominantly comprised of acral and mucosal subtypes, might not benefit from immunotherapy and targeted therapy as much as Caucasian patients. Novel treatment strategies are demanded after conventional treatment failure. This was a prospective, single-arm, and single-center dose escalation study to investigate the safety and preliminary efficacy of apatinib combined with temozolomide in heavily treated advanced melanoma patients. METHODS: Patients were sequentially admitted to four dose-escalating groups of apatinib and temozolomide (three cases in each group) using a traditional 3?+?3 dose escalation design method. RESULTS: Twelve patients were enrolled between December 2016 and August 2017. Most patients with an acral or mucosal primary origin progressed after immunotherapy or targeted therapy. Dose escalation had been completed without dose-limiting toxicity. Common adverse events included hypertension, hand-foot syndrome, proteinuria, neutropenia, nausea, and fatigue. All adverse events were grade 1 or 2, while the maximum tolerated dose was not reached. Up to January 2018, 1 patient achieved partial response, 9 experienced stable disease, and 2 exhibited progressive disease. The objective response rate and disease control rate were 8.3% and 83%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, apatinib combined with temozolomide was well tolerated and has demonstrated efficacy in advanced melanoma patients.     

Vascular smooth muscle cell senescence and age-related diseases: State of the art

Aging is a worldwide challenge, and it is accompanied by the accumulation of senescent cells. Cellular senescence is traditionally defined as permanent cell growth arrest and currently includes the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). There are two main types of cellular senescence, including telomere-dependent replicative senescence and stress-induced premature senescence. The process of cellular senescence is mainly controlled by two effector pathways, namely, the p53-p21 and p16-retinoblastoma protein (pRB) pathways. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are integral parts of arteries and play an important role in vascular structure and function. VSMC senescence may be triggered by many factors, such as angiotensin II, oxidative stress, inflammation, DNA damage, and small molecule compounds. These inducers are able to genetically and epigenetically regulate VSMC senescence. The senescence of VSMCs together with the SASP contributes to chronic vascular inflammation, the loss of arterial function, and the development of age-related diseases. Current evidence suggests that the senescence of VSMCs might be harmful to individual health, whereas its influence on the lifespan is not clear. The purpose of this paper was to review the current knowledge regarding VSMC senescence and its relevance to hypertension, atherosclerosis, and diabetes, as well as the potential mechanisms responsible for VSMC senescence in these age-related diseases.