Encephalitozoon cuniculi Isolated from the Urine of an AIDS Patient, which Differs from Canine and Murine Isolates

ABSTRACT. A species of Encephalitozoon has been isolated from the urine of a patient with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and maintained in vitro in Madin Darby Canine Kidney cells. When examined by random amplified polymoprhic DNA polymerase chain reaction the new isolate was found to differ from E. hellem and to have amplified products in common with murine and canine E. cuniculi . However, it more closely resembled the canine than the murine isolate. Sodium dodecylsulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis differentiated between all three isolates of E. cuniculi , with a band at 42–45 kDa present in the murine isolate only, bands at 52 kDa present in the canine and human isolates but not the murine, and a single band at 60 kDa (murine) and 65 kDa (canine) replaced by two bands at 55 and 70 kDa in the human isolate. The 55 kDa and 70 kDa antigens were also revealed as characteristic bands of the human isolate by Western blotting. The study has thus revealed that the species Encephalitozoon cuniculi is not a homogeneous entity.     

丙烯酰胺和细胞松弛素D作用下大鼠肝细胞中黏弹性的研究

采用微管吮吸技术测定了大鼠肝细胞的黏弹性,进一步研究了丙烯酰胺(acrylamide)和细胞松弛素D(cytochalasin D,CD)以及两者混合作用后对于细胞黏弹性的影响。结果表明:在用CD、丙烯酰胺以及CD、丙烯酰胺混合处理细胞后发现细胞的黏弹性系数均明显下降。尤其是对K1的影响最大中间纤维对于黏弹性系数K1的影响要大于微丝对K1影响。而微丝于黏弹性系数K2的影响要大于中间纤维对K1的影响。另外在丙烯酰胺和细胞松弛素D两者混合作用后细胞的黏弹性系数均比两者单独使用时呈显著下降的趋势。提示中间纤维、微丝在维持细胞黏弹性这一生物力学特性方面均起着一定的作用。另外从以丙烯酰胺组和细胞松弛素D组为照组的数据中发现:丙烯酰胺和细胞松弛素D两者混合作用后细胞的黏弹性系数K1或K2也存在一定程度的降低。中间纤维和微丝可能对正常肝细胞黏弹性有一定之间的交互影响的作用。     

Four New Stilbene Derivatives Isolated from Gnetum latifolium var. funiculare Markgr. and Their Inhibition of NO Production in LPS-activated RAW264.7 Cells

Gnetum latifolium var. funiculare Markgr. is a medicinal plant and widely distributed in mountainous areas of Vietnam. Phytochemical investigation on the trunks of this plant afforded eight stilbene derivatives ( 1 – 8 ) including for new compounds ( 1 – 4 ). Their structures were determined based on extensive analyses of HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectra. Among the isolates, compounds 1 – 3 showed moderate NO production inhibition in LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells with the IC₅₀ values ranging from 46.81 to 68.10 μM, compounds 4 and 6 showed weak effects with the IC₅₀ values of 96.57 and 79.46 μM, respectively, compared to that of the positive control compound, dexamethasone (IC₅₀ 14.20 μM).     

Patau综合征患者额外13号染色体父亲起源

报告1例孕38周经剖腹产出生的畸形男儿。患儿双侧唇裂,严重腭裂,胸骨畸形,骶部脊柱裂,双侧睾丸未降,足内翻。出生后10分钟由于呼吸衰竭而夭折。患儿经外周血淋巴细胞染色体核型分析为47,XY,+13,后经荧光原位杂交技术加以证实。对患儿及其父母进行短重复序列D13S317位点检测,证实患儿额外的13号染色体源自父亲第一次减数分裂不分离。     

Inhibition of the graft-versus-host response by BCGcw-induced suppressor cells or prostaglandin E1

Immunization of C57BL/6 mice with BCGcw stimulated a population of "suppressor cells" which had a decreased capacity to induce the graft-versus-host response. The graft-versus-host response was quantitated using the Simonsen splenomegaly assay. F1 mice (C57BL/6 X CBA) were inoculated intraperitoneally with 1 X 10(8) parental (C57BL/6) or (CBA) spleen cells. The F1 mice were sacrificed 13 days later and the resulting splenomegaly was 3-4 times the normal amount. F1 mice which were injected with parental BCGcw-primed C57BL/6 spleen cells had a 50% inhibition of splenomegaly, whereas BCGcw-primed CBA spleen cells (a strain which does not develop suppressor cells) did not show this inhibition. In vitro results also confirmed that only C57BL/6 mice and not CBA mice developed suppressor cells after BCGcw immunization. A second study showed that X-irradiated (1000 R) BCGcw-primed "suppressor cells" could inhibit splenomegaly caused by the inoculation of normal parental C57BL/6 cells into F1 mice. The mechanism by which BCGcw-primed "suppressor cells" caused this inhibition of splenomegaly was delineated and found to be dependent upon the secretion of prostaglandin (PGE-1). Indomethacin and aspirin, potent inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis, blocked the activity of C57BL/6 BCGcw "suppressor cells" and splenomegaly resulted. Systemic administration of the prostaglandin (15S)-15-methyl PGE-1 reduced splenomegaly approximately 50% in F1 mice which were injected with C57BL/6 or CBA cells. These results indicated that immunization with BCGcw stimulated a population of "suppressor cells" which could cause a decrease in graft-versus-host response and that the secretion of prostaglandin was responsible for this inhibition.     

Wentsaiboea D. Fang & D. H. Qin,a new genus of the Gesneriaceae from Guangxi,China

Wentsaiboea renifolia D. Fang & D. H. Qin, a new genus and species of Gesneriaceae from Guangxi, China, is described and illustrated. This genus is similar to Dolicholoma D. Fang & W. T. Wang in the shape of stigma, but differs by having leaves reniform, palmately nerved and base cordate, corolla obliquely campanulate, corolla lobes rounded, and both stamens and staminodes adnate to corolla tube near base. It is also similar to Chiritopsis W. T. Wang in the habit, but differs by having leaves palmately nerved, corolla tube campanulate and abaxially swollen, and stigma hippocrepiform.     

First Report of OXA-4, an ESBL Isolated from Pseudomonas aeruginosa a South Indian Strain

The OXA-type β-lactamases are so named because of their oxacillin-hydrolyzing abilities. In this study we characterize an extended spectrum β-lactamase, designated OXA-4, produced by a clinical isolate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. ESBL production was detected by double disk synergy test. The P. aeruginosa isolate was obtained from endotracheal suction tip of 84 years old male patient diagnosed with CVA and hypertension. ESBL producing OXA β-lactamases was detected by PCR with primers specific to the conserved regions of the coding genes. Iso electric focusing was done to confirm the significance, sequencing the amplified product was also done. In the phenotypic identification, the strain was highly resistant to third generation cephalosporins and also to imipenem. The PCR amplified product for OXA β-lactamase was viewed at 919 bp. The pI point for the same was identified at 7.2. With the help of sequencing the amplified OXA β-lactamase was identified as OXA-4 gene. Here we report P. aeruginosa producing OXA-4 ESBL for the first time in the Indian subcontinent.     

广西苦苣苔科一新属——文采苣苔属

描述了在广西发现的苦苣苔科一新属和一新种,即文采苣苔属Wentsaiboea D. Fang & D. H. Qin及文采苣苔W. renifolia D. Fang & D. H. Qin, 并提供墨线图。文采苣苔属的柱头外形略似长檐苣苔属Dolicholoma D. Fang & W. T. Wang, 不同在于前者叶肾形,基部心形,具掌状脉,花冠斜钟状,裂片圆形,雄蕊和退化雄蕊着生于冠筒近基部。新属在体态上还接近小花苣苔属Chiritopsis W. T. Wang, 但前者叶具掌状脉,冠筒钟状,远轴侧膨胀,柱头马蹄形;在后者叶具羽状脉,冠筒筒状,不膨胀,柱头下唇倒梯形至线形。     

Molecular Typing Study of the Microsporum Canis Strains Isolated from an Outbreak of Tinea Capitis in School

Tinea capitis is a dermatophyte infection of the scalp that occurs most often in prepubescent children. Tinea capitis may be transmitted by shared use of contaminated hairbrush, by contact with fomites or by direct physical contact with an infected person. Occasionally, outbreak of tinea capitis would happen under some special conditions. Last year, we found an outbreak of tinea capitis in a school due to Microsporum canis. In epidemiological study, we performed the prevalence survey to all of the exposed persons by physical examinations and mycological laboratory tests, including KOH preparation and fungal cultures. We also investigated the environment in the school. In molecular typing study of the M. canis isolated from patients and the environment, random primer amplification polymorphic DNA (RAPD) method, the specific amplification of subrepeat element in the ribosomal DNA nontranscribed spacer (NTS), and the analysis of DNA sequence in the intertranscribed spacer (ITS) of rDNA were performed. The total number of exposed children was seventy-one, among them forty-two were attacked by tinea capitis. The ratio between boy and girl was 13:1. The ages of the patients was ranged from 3.5 years old to 10 years old. Four patients bred cat or dog as pet. Most patients appeared noninflammatory type of tinea capitis and several patients were inflammatory type. Under microscopic examination the invaded hair were all ectothrix. The pathogens isolated from these patients were M. canis. And we also isolated M. canis from the carpet and the pillowcase in the school. The patterns of total strains of M. canis in the RAPD method and PCR amplification of the rDNA NTS region study were identical, and the isolates from patients and the environment contained the same DNA sequences in the ITS region. The outbreak of tinea capitis was caused by M. canis. The M. canis isolated from patients and from the environment were probably the same origin.     

Ranakinin: A Novel NK1 Tachykinin Receptor Agonist Isolated with Neurokinin B from the Brain of the Frog Rana ridibunda

An extract of the whole brain of the frog Rana ridibunda contained high concentrations of substance P-like immunoreactivity, measured with an antiserum directed against the COOH-terminal region of mammalian substance P and neurokinin B-like immunoreactivity, measured with an antiserum directed against the NH2-terminus of neurokinin B. The primary structure of the substance P-related peptide (ranakinin) was established as: Lys-Pro-Asn-Pro-Glu-Arg-Phe-Tyr-Gly-Leu-Met-NH2. Mammalian substance P was not present in the extract. The primary structure of the neurokinin B-related peptide was established as: Asp-Met-His-Asp-Phe-Phe-Val-Gly-Leu-Met-NH2. This amino acid sequence is the same as that of mammalian neurokinin B. Ranakinin was equipotent with substance P and [Sar9,Met(O2)11]substance P in inhibiting the binding of 125I-Bolton-Hunter-[Sar9,Met(O2)11]substance P, a selective radioligand for the NK1 receptor, to binding sites in rat submandibular gland membranes (IC50 1.6 +/- 0.3 nM; n = 5). It is concluded that ranakinin is a preferred agonist for the mammalian NK1 tachykinin receptor subtype.     

Inhibition of infection of the rice blast fungus by halisulfate 1, an isocitrate lyase inhibitor

Halisulfate 1, a sesterterpene sulfate and an isocitrate lyase (ICL) inhibitor that is isolated from tropical sponge Hippospongia spp., reduces both appressorium formation and infection of rice plants by the fungus Magnaporthe grisea. Rice plants infected with wild-type M. grisea Guy 11 exhibited significantly lower disease severity after halisulfate 1 treatment than without, and the treatment effect was comparable to the behavior of the Delta icl knockout mutant I-10. The protection observed upon applying halisulfate 1 to rice plants suggests that the ICL inhibitor may be a promising candidate for crop protection, particularly to protect rice plants against M. grisea.     

Sialosyllactotetraosylceramide, 3''-isoLM1, a Ganglioside of the Lactotetraose Series Isolated from Normal Human Infant Brain

A ganglioside antigen was detected in infant human brains by the monoclonal antibody C-50. Structural analysis of the isolated ganglioside antigen showed it to be 3'-isoLM1, sialosyllactotetraosylceramide. The concentration of this ganglioside in human infant brain was 0.5 nmol/g.     

Draft Genome Sequence of an Extreme Haloarchaeon 3A1-DGR Isolated from a Saltern Crystallizer of the Little Rann of Kutch,India

Haloarchaea are predominant in the salt crystallizers of the Rann of Kutch when the concentration of salts approaches saturation levels. The obligate and extreme halophilic archaeon 3A1-DGR, isolated from a salt crystallizer pond of the Little Rann of Kutch, India, needs minimum of 10 % NaCl in the growth medium. To understand the mechanism(s) of osmotolerance and adaptation at extreme osmolarity, and to mine relevant gene(s), the genome of this haloarchaeon, 3A1-DGR, was sequenced. We report here, the 2.88 Mb draft genome sequence of the haloarchaeon 3A1-DGR, with G+C content of 68 % and the possible involvement of 43 genes in stress tolerance. Further studies of the genome of this haloarchaeon would be required to identify gene(s) that might be responsible for imparting extreme osmotolerance.     

云南报春花属(报春花科)一新变种--长萼铁梗报春

报道了云南报春花属一新变种,即长萼铁梗报春Primula sinolisteri Balf．f．var．longicalyx D．W．Xue＆C．Q．Zhang。新变种与原变种的不同之处在于：花冠喉部具环状附属物,外面无毛,花萼与冠筒近等长,长7—10mm。     

耐辐射奇球菌recA基因的克隆、表达及其对recA缺损大肠杆菌辐射抗性的影响

将耐辐射奇球菌(Deinococcus radiodurans)recA基因克隆到表达质粒pET15b中,并在Escherichia coli HMS中高效表达了可溶性的RecA重组蛋白。同时将recA基因通过穿梭质粒pRADZ3导入recA缺损E.coli TG2细胞中,Western印迹实验显示RecA蛋白能够在不需要诱导剂IPTG的条件下稳定表达。辐射抗性实验表明,D.radiodurans的recA基因在E.coli细胞中的表达能够完全补偿recA缺损E.coli辐射抗性能力。     

Cloning of a NaCl-induced fructose-1, 6-diphosphate aldolase cDNA from Dunaliella salina and its expression in tobacco

Itisaworld-widefocusthatsoilbecomesmoreandmoresaline.Aboutone-thirdirrigablelandbecomeslostallovertheworldforthereasonthatthesalinityistoohigh.Therefore,im-provingthesalt-toleranceofcropsseemsmoreandmoreimportant.Previousstudyonthemecha-nismofsaltresistantofplantshaspaidmoreattentiontohigherplants,whileonlyafewtoalgae.Studyintheseyearsshowedthatalgaehadthesimilarbiophysiologicalandbiochemicalreactiontoallhigherplantsinadversity[1].Soitisreliabletoapplyalgatorelatedstudy.Dunaliellasalina,akind…     

Punicafolin,an ellagitannin from the leaves of Punica granatum

A new ellagitannin, punicafolin has been isolated from the leaves of Punica granatum and characterized by physicochemical data and spectral evidence as 1,2,4-tri-O-galloyl-3,6-(R)-hexahydroxydiphenoyl-β-D-glucose. The occurrence in the leaves of the known tannins, granatins A and B, corilagin, strictinin, 1,2,4,6-tetra-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose and 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose has also been demonstrated.