Integrated molecular imaging technologies for investigation of metals in biological systems: A brief review

Metals play an essential role in biological systems and are required as structural or catalytic co-factors in many proteins. Disruption of the homeostatic control and/or spatial distributions of metals can lead to disease. Imaging technologies have been developed to visualize elemental distributions across a biological sample. Measurement of elemental distributions by imaging mass spectrometry and imaging X-ray fluorescence are increasingly employed with technologies that can assess histological features and molecular compositions. Data from several modalities can be interrogated as multimodal images to correlate morphological, elemental, and molecular properties. Elemental and molecular distributions have also been axially resolved to achieve three-dimensional volumes, dramatically increasing the biological information. In this review, we provide an overview of recent developments in the field of metal imaging with an emphasis on multimodal studies in two and three dimensions. We specifically highlight studies that present technological advancements and biological applications of how metal homeostasis affects human health.     

A brief review on dengue molecular virology, diagnosis, treatment and prevalence in Pakistan

ABSTRACT: Dengue virus infection is a serious health problem infecting 2.5 billion people worldwide. Dengue is now endemic in more than 100 countries, including Pakistan. Each year hundreds of people get infected with dengue in Pakistan. Currently, there is no vaccine available for the prevention of Dengue virus infection due to four viral serotypes. Dengue infection can cause death of patients in its most severity, meanwhile many antiviral compounds are being tested against dengue virus infection to eradicate this disease but still there is a need to develop an efficient, low-cost and safe vaccine that can target all the four serotypes of dengue virus. This review summarizes dengue molecular virology, important drug targets, prevalence in Pakistan, diagnosis, treatment and medicinal plant inhibitors against dengue.     

微型浮游生物生态学研究概述

最近一二十年来,原绿藻和微食物网的重大发现已使人们充分认识到微型浮游生物在水域生态系统的养分循环和能量流动中的重要意义,也为微型浮游生物的研究提出了新的方向。对微型浮游生物的主要类群,即微型浮游植物、异养细菌和微型浮游动物的生态学研究进展作了概述,在此基础上讨论了类群间的生态关系和微食物网的研究动向。最后对微型游生物生态学的继续研究提出了几点看法。     

土壤动物学研究的回顾与展望

简明介绍了土壤动物学的研究进展及我国的研究概况,提出了今后的研究重点和保护自然资源的建议。     

A brief introduction to biophotonic techniques and methods

Science China Life Sciences -     

A brief review on software developments for group sequential and adaptive designs

In this paper the currently available software we know for group sequential and adaptive designs is briefly reviewed. Stand-alone packages as well as modules within software packages or programming languages exist. New software developments for adaptive designs enable the user to perform data dependent design adaptations while controlling the Type I error rate.     

Evaluation of molecular techniques for the genetic characterization of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains

The applicability of different PCR-based techniques, random amplified polymorphic DNA, cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence and SSRs (simple sequence repeats) to genetically identify, typify and discriminate among Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains, was investigated. The analysis and comparison of the genetic profiles obtained for each of the techniques allowed determination of the degree of polymorphism, genetic diversity and relationships among the strains. Consequently, the discriminatory power and usefulness of the molecular techniques assayed was established. SSR analysis was the most effective method due to its high level of polymorphism, the ease of interpretation of the genetic profiles obtained, and the speed of use.     

简述"卡尔文循环"——关于光合作用暗反应阶段中碳原子的转移途径

中学生物教材中在具体阐述暗反应阶段CO2分子中碳原子的转移途径时,说法较模糊,易形成误解。对此,特引入“卡尔文循环”的概念并对碳原子的转移途径进行概要阐述。     

巨胞饮的机制及功能的研究进展

巨胞饮（macropinocytosis）是内吞的一种形式,指在某些因素刺激下,细胞膜皱褶形成大且不规则的原始内吞小泡,它们被称为巨胞饮体。巨胞饮体的直径一般为0．5～2μm,有时可达5μm。与其它内吞形式的小泡相比,巨胞饮体直径较大,为非选择性地内吞细胞外营养物质和液相大分子提供了一条有效途径。最近的研究表明,巨胞饮具有清除凋亡细胞、参与免疫反应、介导某些病原菌侵袭细胞、更新细胞膜等功能。     

Screening for cystic fibrosis: feasibility of molecular genetic analysis of dried blood specimens

Direct genotypic analysis for the common Caucasian cystic fibrosis mutation (delta F508) was performed using dried blood specimens in a filter paper matrix (neonatal screening blotter). DNA was obtained from dried and liquid blood samples, amplified, and analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Additionally, intact 4-mm-diameter punched discs from blotters containing dried blood specimen were used in the amplification reactions and analyzed by electrophoresis. The results agreed completely between these three sample types, demonstrating the feasibility of molecular genetic confirmation of the delta F508 mutation from the neonatal screening blotter among those with positive CF screening results. Such a program could reduce follow-up testing by at least 50% in a CF newborn screening program and would identify immediately those families who would benefit from carrier detection for the delta F508 allele.     

A mitochondrial chaperonin: genetic, biochemical, and molecular characteristics

Mitochondria contain a matrix-localized protein complex composed of subunits homologous to the E.coli protein groEL. As with groEL in E.coli, the nuclear gene coding for the mitochondrial protein is essential for cell survival and the accumulation of the protein is elevated at heat shock-inducing temperatures. Biochemical analyses of wild type and mutant yeast strains have shown that this protein, hsp60, is required for the correct folding and assembly of newly imported, mitochondrially-targeted proteins. There is evidence suggesting a mandatory interaction between hsp60 and many imported, as well as mitochondrially-synthesized, proteins. The implications of these and other data are discussed.     

Application and evaluation of denaturing HPLC for molecular genetic analysis in tuberous sclerosis

Tuberous sclerosis (TSC) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterised by the development of hamartomas in multiple tissues and organs. TSC exhibits locus heterogeneity with genes at 9q34 (TSC1) and 16p13.3 (TSC2) that have 21 and 41 coding exons, respectively. The mutational spectrum at both loci is wide and previous studies have shown that 60%-70% of cases are sporadic and represent new mutations. We have formatted denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) for rapid screening of all coding exons of TSC1 and TSC2. DHPLC analysis detected likely disease-causing mutations in 103 of 150 unrelated cases (68%), compared with 92/150 (61%) and 87/150 (58%) for single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis (SSCP) and conventional heteroduplex analysis (HA), respectively. Capital, consumable and labour costs were determined for each exon screening procedure. Estimated costs per patient sample depended on throughput, particularly for DHPLC, where a high proportion of costs are fixed, and were pounds sterling 257, pound sterling 216 and pound sterling 242 for DHPLC, SSCP and HA, respectively, assuming a throughput of 252 samples per year, or pound sterling 354, pound sterling 233 and pound sterling 259, assuming a throughput of 126 samples per year. DHPLC had the advantages of increased sensitivity and reduced labour costs when compared with more traditional approaches to exon screening but, unless expensive DHPLC equipment is being efficiently utilised for a very high proportion of the time available, overall costs are slightly higher.     

溪流生态系统潜流带生态学研究概述

最近一、二十年,对潜流带研究的逐渐开展已使人们充分认识到潜流带在溪流生态系统结构、功能和生态过程中的重要意义。潜流带是溪流地表水和地下水相互作用的界面,占据着在地表水、河道之下的可渗透的沉积缓冲带、侧向的河岸带和地下水之间的中心位置。有关潜流带重要性的近期研究进展增进了我们对溪流生态学的理解,大大扩展了水生生物生境的物理空间以及生物相互作用和生产力存在的区域。潜流带生境包含多样化的、丰度很高的动物区系,其常常控制着溪流生物生产力和生态过程。潜流带对溪流生态系统的潜在重要性来自于生物学和生物地化活动。潜流带在溪流有机物的分解和水质净化等生态过程中发挥着重要的作用。潜流带是溪流集水区内各种环境特征的综合表征体,它能够反映周围景观的环境条件及其变化,集水区内的自然或人为干扰,都会影响到潜流带的水文循环、理化特征、生境分布、营养结构和基本生态过程。因此,对溪流生态系统的综合管理必须包括潜流带。最后对潜流带生态学研究现存的主要问题及未来研究展望提出了几点看法。     

Insulin and endothelial function: A brief review

Background: In recent years, the novel effects of insulin beyond control of glucose metabolism have been appreciated, especially those that impact vascular function. A better understanding of insulin's protective interactions with the endothelium has provided clinicians with a justification for more aggressive use of insulin—not only to control glucose levels, but also to potentially reduce the progression of atherosclerosis and its pathogenic sequelae.Objective: In this brief review, we provide a snapshot of the available research and clinical findings signifying beneficial effects of insulin on the endothelium.Methods: We conducted a MEDLINE search of articles published in English from 1965 through 2007 using the search terms insulin, endothelium, and anti-inflammatory. Articles with a focus on “insulin resistance” per se were excluded from this review.Results: The literature search identified 200 articles that addressed the effects of insulin on endothelium and the interaction between insulin and the vasculature.Conclusions: In addition to mitigating hyperglycemic toxicity, insulin has multiple beneficial interactions with the endothelium in physiologic and disease states. The anti-inflammatory actions of insulin confer beneficial effects in preventing and minimizing morbidity and mortality due to atherosclerosis, especially in acute settings like myocardial infarction.     

Cellular calcium and atherosclerosis: A brief review

Evidence for and against the theory that cell calcium is causally involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is presented and evaluated. In particular, it is argued that: (1) arterial calcium is increased in atherosclerosis; (2) this increase in tissue calcium content is largely intracellular; (3) this increased intracellular calcium content is caused by increased plasma membrane calcium permeability; (4) the increased calcium content is causally related to atherogenesis; (5) many of the cell physiological, cell biological, biochemical, and molecular biological processes, known to function abnormally in atherosclerosis, are also known to be calcium regulated; and (6) these processes are activated or inactivated in atherosclerosis in a manner consistent with increased cell calcium. It is concluded that the calcium-atherogenesis hypothesis has the potential to unify macroscopic clinical risk factors in terms of intracellular mechanisms that are controlled by cell calcium, and that this hypothesis deserves further experimental tests.     

Sex determination of Pohnpei Micronesian Kingfishers using morphological and molecular genetic techniques

ABSTRACT.   Conservation-oriented studies of Micronesian Kingfishers ( Todiramphus cinnamominus ) have been hindered by a lack of basic natural history information, despite the status of the Guam subspecies ( T. c. cinnamominus ) as one of the most endangered species in the world. We used tissue samples and morphometric measures from museum specimens and wild-captured Pohnpei Micronesian Kingfishers ( T. c. reichenbachii ) to develop methods for sex determination. We present a modified molecular protocol and a discriminant function that yields the probability that a particular individual is male or female. Our results revealed that females were significantly larger than males, and the discriminant function correctly predicted sex in 73% (30/41) of the individuals. The sex of 86% (18/21) of individuals was correctly assigned when a moderate reliability threshold was set. Sex determination using molecular genetic techniques was more reliable than methods based on morphology. Our results will facilitate recovery efforts for the critically endangered Guam Micronesian Kingfisher and provide a basis for sex determination in the 11 other endangered congeners in the Pacific Basin.     

A brief molecular insight of COVID-19: epidemiology,clinical manifestation,molecular mechanism,cellular tropism and immuno-pathogenesis

In December 2019, the emergence and expansion of novel and infectious respiratory virus SARS-CoV-2 originated from Wuhan, China caused an unprecedented threat to the public health and became a global pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 is an enveloped, positive sense and single stranded RNA virus belonging to genera betacoronavirus, of Coronaviridae family. The viral genome sequencing studies revealed 75–80% similarity with SARS-CoV. SARS-CoV-2 mainly affects the lower respiratory system and may progress to pneumonia and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Apart from life-threatening situations and burden on the global healthcare system, the COVID-19 pandemic has imposed several challenges on the worldwide economics and livelihood. The novel pathogen is highly virulent, rapidly mutating and has a tendency to cross the species boundaries such as from bats to humans through the evolution and natural selection from intermediate host. In this review we tried to summarize the overall picture of SARS-CoV-2 including origin/ emergence, epidemiology, pathogenesis, genome organization, comparative analysis with other CoVs, infection and replication mechanism along with cellular tropism and immunopathogenesis which will provide a brief panoramic view about the virus and disease.