Molecular mechanisms,prevalence, and molecular methods for familial combined hyperlipidemia disease: A review

Familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL) is the most common genetic dyslipidemia disorder which is accompanied by increasing of triglyceride and cholesterol. This disorder is a complex genetic disease although it also has monogenic forms. The familial form has several criteria for diagnosis that can be distinguished of nonfamilial position. It has been shown that a variety of internal and external risk factors are involved in the pathogenesis of FCHL. Environmental factors and the genetic background also play an important role in the FCHL pathogenesis. Many mechanisms and pathways are involved in lipid metabolism (ie, dysfunctional adipose tissue, hepatic fat and very low-density lipoprotein overproduction, triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, and clearance of low-density lipoprotein particles) that could lead to FCHL. Individuals with a positive family history like those who have a positive family history of cardiovascular diseases are more predispositions for this disorder. To date several methods have been used to identify the genetic background of the FCHL. In the current review, we summarized the prevalence and the molecular mechanisms involved in the FCHL disease. Moreover, we highlighted the used molecular methods for determining the genes involved in the FCHL.     

Current perspectives in the virology and molecular biology of hepatitis A virus

Several unique features of hepatitis A virus (HAV) support its classification within a new genus, hepatovirus, of the family Picornaviridae. The structure of the HAV capsid may differ from other picornaviruses as indirect evidence suggests the absence of a myristylated VP4 protein. The replication of HAV is unusually slow in cell culture and typically results in persistent infection. Other evidence suggests fundamental differences between HAV and other picornaviruses with respect to viral translation, polyprotein processing and RNA replication.     

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。     

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 review of metabolism-associated biomarkers in lung cancer diagnosis and treatment

Introduction

Lung cancer continues to be the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Early detection has proven essential to extend survival. Genomic and proteomic advances have provided impetus to the effort dedicated to detect and diagnose the disease at an earlier stage. Recently, the study of metabolites associated with tumor formation and progression has inaugurated the era of cancer metabolomics to aid in this effort.

Objectives

This review summarizes recent work regarding novel metabolites with the potential to serve as biomarkers for early lung tumor detection, evaluation of disease progression, and prediction of patient outcomes.

Method

We compare the metabolite profiling of cancer patients with that of healthy individuals, and the metabolites identified in tissue and biofluid samples and their usefulness as lung cancer biomarkers. We discuss metabolite alterations in tumor versus paired non-tumor lung tissues, as well as metabolite alterations in different stages of lung cancers and their usefulness as indicators of disease progression and overall survival. We evaluate metabolite dysregulation in different types of lung cancers, and those associated with lung cancer versus other lung diseases. We also examine metabolite differences between lung cancer patients and smokers/risk-factor individuals.

Result

Although an extensive list of metabolites has been evaluated to distinguish between these cases, refinement of methods is further required for adequate patient diagnosis and treatment.

Conclusion

We conclude that with technological advancement, metabolomics may be able to replace more invasive and costly diagnostic procedures while also providing the means to more effectively tailor treatment to patient-specific tumors.

     

Point prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthiasis in ruminants in southern Punjab, Pakistan

The present study was carried out to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthiasis in ruminants in an irrigated area of lower Punjab (Pakistan). For this purpose, 100 faecal samples were collected from sheep, goats, cattle and buffaloes. Parasitological procedures including direct and indirect methods (sedimentation and floatation) and coproculture were used for the identification of helminths. The overall prevalence of helminthiasis was 51% in cattle, 47% in buffaloes, 62% in sheep and 52% in goats, with nematodes being the most common helminths. The prevalence of helminths was higher in young animals compared with adults in cattle (P < 0.0001), buffaloes (P < 0.0001), sheep (P < 0.059) and goats (P = 0.010). The prevalence of different species of helminths also varied in different age groups, with Toxocara vitulorum being higher in calves than adults both in cattle (P = 0.017) and buffaloes (P < 0.0001). Sex-wise prevalence of helminths was higher in males than females for buffaloes (P < 0.0001) and sheep (P = 0.014) in contrast to cattle and goats.     

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。     

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。     

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。     

Complementary and alternative medicine research,prospects and limitations in Pakistan: A literature review

This review article is an effort to analyze the status of medicinal plants research in Pakistan. According to an estimate, about 6000 plant species are present in Pakistan of which about 700 have medicinal importance. The majority of the local population in Pakistan depends on therapeutic plants. Various Pakistani institutes are conducting research on medical plants. Pakistan is at the center of the international herbal market. The Pakistan position in the international herbal market in import is 9th and in export is 10th. In 2002 the market value of therapeutic and aromatic plants sold globally was estimated at 62 billion US$, and 2018 it had increased to 131.4 billion. This means medicinal plants are the income source for people, and if the medicinal flora is not managed properly, this may result in habitat destruction, as well as species extinction. For ex-situ conservation of medicinal plants, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan is working with universities to establish botanical gardens. The government also needs to take steps to enforce stricter laws for conservation, to find sustainable ways to harvest medicinal plants from the wild, to educate native collectors in suitable collection methods, to train the local community how to grow therapeutic herbs, and to eliminate the middle-men from the trading chain.     

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.     

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.

     

微针及其在生物诊疗中的应用研究进展

微针在过去几十年中发展迅速,在透皮给药等领域已得到了广泛的研究.近些年随着微电子技术的蓬勃兴起,微针在生物诊疗中的应用越来越多的受到人们关注.通过微针提取血液和组织液进行检测分析以及微针作为电极在体液内直接对血糖、黑色素瘤、pH值等进行实时检测方面,都展现出了良好的实时检测应用前景.文中综述了微针的材料与结构设计及其在...