Genetic basis of acanthosis nigricans in Mexican Americans and its association with phenotypes related to type 2 diabetes

Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is a skin condition associated with hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance and has been shown to be a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. The influence of genetic factors on AN and the basis of its association with type 2 diabetes and its risk factors are unknown. Using data from 397 participants from two Mexican American family studies, we investigated the heritability of AN and its genetic correlation with other diabetes risk factors. AN was examined as both a continuous trait and a dichotomous trait by means of a previously described validated scale. The results indicated that the heritability (h2) for AN, when examined as a continuous trait, was high (0.58+/-0.10) and statistically significant (P<0.001). The h2 for AN as a dichotomous trait was estimated to be moderate (0.23+/-0.05) and was also significant (P=0.018). The additive genetic correlations between AN (either as a continuous trait or a dichotomous trait) and type 2 diabetes and its risk factors, including body mass index and fasting insulin, were high or moderately high and statistically significant. The random environmental correlations, by contrast, were low and statistically insignificant. These data suggest that genes that influence AN have pleiotropic effects on diabetes and its risk factors.     

Proteasome activation as a novel antiaging strategy

Homeostasis is a key feature of cellular lifespan. Maintenance of cellular homeostasis influences the rate of aging and is determined by several factors, including efficient proteolysis of damaged proteins. Protein degradation is predominantly catalyzed by the proteasome. Specifically, the proteasome is responsible for cell clearance of abnormal, denatured or in general damaged proteins as well as for the regulated degradation of short-lived proteins. As proteasome has an impaired function during aging, emphasis has been given recently in identifying ways of its activation. A number of studies have shown that the proteasome can be activated by genetic manipulations as well as by factors that affect its conformation and stability. Importantly the developed proteasome activated cell lines exhibit an extended lifespan. This review article discusses in details the various factors that are involved in proteasome biosynthesis and assembly and how they contribute to its activation. Finally as few natural compounds have been identified having proteasome activation properties, we discuss the advantages of this novel antiaging strategy.     

The epidemiologic classification of plague morbidity

On the basis of the analysis of plague morbidity in the world in the XX century all epidemic foci are subdivided into 3 groups: primary, indirect primary and secondary. Each group is characterized by its specific type of morbidity in accordance with infective factors: factors connected with the natural foci of infection in group 1, economic and synanthropic factors, as well as laboratory infections, in group 2 and anthroponotic factors in group 3. In its turn, each type of morbidity differs in routes, sources, mechanisms and clinical forms of infection. In accordance with the conditions of infection, the natural foci of plague can be subdivided into mono-, oligo- and multifactor foci. The typing of plague morbidity facilitates more target-oriented organization of antiplague measures.     

The role of α-synuclein in the pathophysiology of alcoholism

Alcoholism has complex etiology and there is evidence for both genetic and environmental factors in its pathophysiology. Chronic, long-term alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence are associated with neuronal loss with the prefrontal cortex being particularly susceptible to neurotoxic damage. This brain region is involved in the development and persistence of alcohol addiction and neurotoxic damage is likely to exacerbate the reinforcing effects of alcohol and may hinder treatment. Understanding the mechanism of alcohol’s neurotoxic effects on the brain and the genetic risk factors associated with alcohol abuse are the focus of current research. Because of its well-established role in neurodegenerative and neuropsychological disorders, and its emerging role in the pathophysiology of addiction, here we review the genetic and epigenetic factors involved in regulating α-synuclein expression and its potential role in the pathophysiology of chronic alcohol abuse. Elucidation of the mechanisms of α-synuclein regulation may prove beneficial in understanding the role of this key synaptic protein in disease and its potential for therapeutic modulation in the treatment of substance use disorders as well as other neurodegenerative diseases.     

基于小波变换的土壤有机碳与其影响因子多尺度相关分析

基于GIS,采用小波变换和相关分析方法,以广东山区表层(0～20 cm)土壤有机碳密度及其影响因子(包括归一化植被指数NDVI、海拔、坡度和坡向)作为分析对象,选取4条样带,使用一维离散小波变换对分析对象进行多尺度分解,在栅格尺度上定量分析土壤有机碳密度与其影响因子相关关系的多尺度响应特征.结果表明: 研究区土壤有机碳密度与其影响因子具有不同程度的尺度相关性.NDVI在2、8和16 km尺度、海拔在8和16 km尺度下的控制作用最强;坡度的控制作用极弱,尺度相关性不显著;坡向在大于2 km尺度表现为随尺度增加而增大的负相关作用.不同样带的土壤有机碳密度受不同影响因子的制约,NDVI和海拔是影响广东山区土壤有机碳密度分布的主要因子,坡度和坡向仅在个别样带、较大尺度上起作用.     

Messenger ribonucleoproteins (informosomes) and RNA-binding proteins

Messenger ribonucleoproteins, first discovered in 1964 in our laboratory as free mRNA-containing particles of fish embryo cytoplasm and designated as informosomes, proved to have a universal occurrence in eukaryotic cells. Messenger ribonucleoproteins of different intracellular localization such as free cytoplasmic non-translatable informosomes, translatable messenger ribonucleoproteins in polyribosomes and nuclear pre-mRNA-containing particles are characterized by a number of features common for all of them. However, the transport from the nucleus into the cytoplasm as well as the transition from the free non-translatable state into the polyribosome-bound translatable state are accompanied by essential changes in the protein moiety of the particles. The existance of free RNA-binding proteins in eukaryotic cells has also been shown. These proteins seem to represent a pool for the formation of messenger ribonucleoproteins (informosomes).It has recently been demonstrated that the eukaryotic translation factors and, in particular, both the elongation factors and some initiation factors are among the cytoplasmic RNA-binding proteis. It is suggested that the mRNA in eukaryotic cells at different stages of its life time carries on itself the proteins which are required for its own biogenesis, processing and transport (nuclear informosomes), for its existence in a temporarily inactive state (free cytoplasmic informosomes) and for its functioning as a template (polyribosomal informosomes):omnia mea mecum porto.     

Variation of Soil Organic Carbon and Its Major Constraints in East Central Asia

Variation of soil organic carbon (SOC) and its major constraints in large spatial scale are critical for estimating global SOC inventory and projecting its future at environmental changes. By analyzing SOC and its environment at 210 sites in uncultivated land along a 3020km latitudinal transect in East Central Asia, we examined the effect of environmental factors on the dynamics of SOC. We found that SOC changes dramatically with the difference as high as 5 times in north China and 17 times in Mongolia. Regardless, C:N remains consistent about 12. Path analysis indicated that temperature is the dominant factor in the variation of SOC with a direct effect much higher than the indirect one, the former breaks SOC down the year round while the latter results in its growth mainly via precipitation in the winter half year. Precipitation helps accumulate SOC, a large part of the effect, however, is taken via temperature. NH₄⁺-N and topography also affect SOC, their roles are played primarily via climatic factors. pH correlates significantly with SOC, the effect, however, is taken only in the winter months, contributing to the decay of SOC primarily via temperature. These factors explained as much as 79% of SOC variations, especially in the summer months, representing the major constraints on the SOC stock. Soil texture gets increasingly fine southward, it does not, however, constitute an apparent factor. Our results suggested that recent global warming should have been adversely affecting SOC stock in the mid-latitude as temperature dominates other factors as the constraint.     

An update on complex I assembly: the assembly of players

Defects in Complex I assembly is one of the emerging underlying causes of severe mitochondrial disorders. The assembly of Complex I has been difficult to understand due to its large size, dual genetic control and the number of proteins involved. Mutations in Complex I subunits as well as assembly factors have been reported to hinder its assembly and give rise to a range of mitochondria disorders. In this review, we summarize the recent progress made in understanding the Complex I assembly pathway. In particularly, we focus on the known as well as novel assembly factors and their role in assembly of Complex I and human disease.     

Mitogenic factors of corpora lutea

The mammalian corpus luteum (CL), which plays a central role in the reproductive process because of its production of hormones such as progesterone, appears to be an exceptionally dynamic organ. Its rate of growth and development are extremely rapid and, even when the CL is functionally mature, its rate of cell turnover remains relatively high. Associated with this high rate of cell turnover, the mature CL receives the greatest blood supply per unit tissue of any organ, and also exhibits a relatively high metabolic rate. Although numerous growth factors have been identified in luteal tissue, their role in growth and differentiation of this dynamic organ remains unclear. Recently, while attempting to identify mitogenic factors of ovine and bovine CL, we have found that they produce several mitogens during the estrous cycle as well as pregnancy. The majority of these luteal-derived mitogenic factors are heparin-binding, and although some may represent previously identified factors, several appear to be novel heparin-binding growth factors. Isolation and purification of mitogenic factors produced by the CL will enable us to determine their roles in luteal growth, development and differentiated function, which will contribute to our understanding not only of the regulation of fertility but also of tissue growth and development in general.     

湿地土壤硫氧化-还原过程及其与其他元素的耦合作用研究进展

湿地土壤硫(S)的氧化-还原过程是硫循环的重要环节,其对于维持湿地系统的稳定与健康具有重要意义.本文综述了湿地土壤S的氧化-还原过程及影响因素,并分析了其与其他元素耦合机制的研究进展.湿地土壤S氧化-还原过程的影响因素主要涉及生物因子(植物、微生物、底栖动物及人类活动等)和非生物因子(温度、水分和粒度等物理因素及pH、...     

海南龙血树野生资源分布及其与水热关系的分析

在全面调查海南龙血树(Dracaena cambodiana)野生资源地理分布的基础上,用温度指数、湿度指数等气候指标分析了海南龙血树野生资源地理分布与气候因子间的关系。结果表明,海南龙血树野生资源在中国仅分布于海南岛西南部山区及南部沿海地区,水平分布于108°42′40.9″~110°27′36.8″E,18°14′27″~19°20′28.5″N,垂直分布范围为0~900 m,仅发现10个现存分布点;海南龙血树属于热带雨林、季雨林小乔木状植物,具有强耐旱、喜阳和喜钙等生态习性,其分布区的绝大部分水热因子是其分布的主要限制因子。主成分分析表明,影响海南龙血树地理分布的主要水热指标的排序为热量因子>降水因子>湿度因子。根据野生居群的生境特点,我们推测水分和光照强度可能是影响海南龙血树种子萌发率或幼苗成活率的重要因子。     

烟粉虱传播双生病毒的特性及分子机制研究进展

烟粉虱以持久性、可循回的方式传播双生病毒。烟粉虱传毒历经获毒、持毒和传毒3个阶段,烟粉虱体内的病毒受体、病毒蛋白以及寄主植物因子都参与了这个过程。本文综述了影响烟粉虱特异性传播双生病毒的因素以及二者的直接和间接互作。烟粉虱传播双生病毒的特异性不仅与烟粉虱隐种和病毒种类有关,还与烟粉虱体内特定的器官或细胞、烟粉虱和病毒的蛋白以及烟粉虱体内的共生细菌有关。在烟粉虱和双生病毒的长期共进化中,病毒可以通过调控烟粉虱和寄主植物的特性而促进其自身的传播。     

Nitric oxide--the endothelium-derived relaxing factor and its role in endothelial functions

Vascular endothelium plays a key role in the local regulation of vascular tone and vascular architecture by release of vasodilator and vasoconstrictor substances, as well as factors with pro-coagulant, anticoagulant, fibrinolytic, antibacterial properties, growth factors, chemokines, free radicals, etc. Release of endothelium-derived relaxing factors such as nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandins and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor, as well as vasoconstricting factors such as endothelin, superoxide and thromboxanes play an influential role in the maintenance and regulation of vascular tone and the corresponding peripheral vascular resistance. Under physiological conditions, the release of anticoagulant and smooth muscle relaxing factors exceeds the release of other substances. The first part of this review presents the functions of the endothelium itself, the nature of the endothelium-derived relaxing factor, its production by NO synthases, mechanisms of its action via activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase and production of cyclic 3'-5'-guanosine monophosphate. The resulting biological effects include vasodilatation, regulation of vessel wall structure, increased regional blood perfusion, lowering of systemic blood pressure, antithrombosis and antiatherosclerosis effects, which counteract the vascular actions of endogenous vasoconstrictor substances. Impaired endothelial function, either as a consequence of reduced production/release or increased inactivation of endothelium-derived vasodilators, as well as interactions of NO with angiotensin, reactive oxygen species and oxidized lipoproteins, has detrimental functional consequences and is one of the most important cardiovascular risk factors. Therefore the second part of this review assesses the pathophysiologic impact of the endothelium in examples of cardiovascular pathologies, e.g. endotheliopathies caused by increased angiotensin production, lipid peroxidation, ischemia/reperfusion or diabetes.     

The epidemic process as a system. The social regulators of the epidemic process

The article deals with the mechanisms of spontaneous (urbanization, the international migration of population, the anthropogenic transformation of nature) and goal-oriented regulatory action on the epidemic process. Social factors have been shown to transform into ecological ones with the subsequent transformation of information in the parasitic system and their reflection in the social subsystem as the indices of the risk of infection and its socio-economical importance. Using the processes of urbanization as an example, the present work demonstrates that the mechanism of transmission acts as a filter whose specific features are determined by a range of social factors playing the most important role in the regulation of the epidemic process on the socio-ecosystemic level of its organization.