The Relationship between Structure and Activity of Taurolin

Taurolin [Bis(1,1-dioxo-perhydro-1,2,4 thiadiazinyl-4)methane] is an antimicrobial compound formed by the condensation of two molecules of taurine with three of formaldehyde. It has been suggested that it releases formaldehyde in contact with bacteria. Evidence from TLC, HPLC and NMR spectroscopy indicates that taurolin is mostly hydrolysed in aqueous solution to release one molecule of formaldehyde and two monomeric molecules (1,1-dioxo-perhydro-1,2,4-thiadiazine and its carbinolamine derivative). A stable equilibrium is established. Antibacterial activity is not entirely due to adsorption of free formaldehyde but also to reaction with a masked (or latent) formaldehyde, as the activity of taurolin is greater than formaldehyde. The monomer is only slightly active by comparison.     

Directed Evolution of an LBP/CD14 Inhibitory Peptide and Its Anti-Endotoxin Activity

Background

LPS-binding protein (LBP) and its ligand CD14 are located upstream of the signaling pathway for LPS-induced inflammation. Blocking LBP and CD14 binding might prevent LPS-induced inflammation. In previous studies, we obtained a peptide analog (MP12) for the LBP/CD14 binding site and showed that this peptide analog had anti-endotoxin activity. In this study, we used in vitro directed evolution for this peptide analog to improve its in vivo and in vitro anti-endotoxin activity.

Methods

We used error-prone PCR (ep-PCR) and induced mutations in the C-terminus of LBP and attached the PCR products to T7 phages to establish a mutant phage display library. The positive clones that competed with LBP for CD14 binding was obtained by screening. We used both in vivo and in vitro experiments to compare the anti-endotoxin activities of a polypeptide designated P1 contained in a positive clone and MP12.

Results

11 positive clones were obtained from among target phages. Sequencing showed that 9 positive clones had a threonine (T) to methionine (M) mutation in amino acid 287 of LBP. Compared to polypeptide MP12, polypeptide P1 significantly inhibited LPS-induced TNF-α expression and NF-κB activity in U937 cells (P<0.05). Compared to MP12, P1 significantly improved arterial oxygen pressure, an oxygenation index, and lung pathology scores in LPS-induced ARDS rats (P<0.05).

Conclusion

By in vitro directed evolution of peptide analogs for the LBP/CD14 binding site, we established a new polypeptide (P1) with a threonine (T)-to-methionine (M) mutation in amino acid 287 of LBP. This polypeptide had high anti-endotoxin activity in vitro and in vivo, which suggested that amino acid 287 in the C-terminus of LBP may play an important role in LBP binding with CD14.     

实验动物与生物安全

实验动物是从事科学研究、教学、生产、检定等的重要工具和支撑条件.随着科学技术的飞速发展,科学研究中使用的实验动物和实验用动物的种类、品系越来越多,生物安全问题已经明显地威胁到生物多样性、生态环境和人类健康.本文分析了实验动物的潜在生物安全危害,探讨了实验动物生物安全管理方面存在的问题并就应对实验动物生物安全提出了一些建议.     

Effects of Alginic Acid from a Brown Alga Laminaria cichorioideson the Physical Activity of Experimental Animals

We studied the possibility of stimulating physical activity in experimental animals using alginic acid, a polysaccharide isolated from a brown alga Laminaria cichorioides(family Laminaraceae). It is shown that the alginic acid increases working capacity, prevents fatigue, and activates restoration processes after muscular activity.     

麦角甾甙对实验动物消化功能的影响

麦角甾甙（10mg/kg、50mg/kg）给动物连续灌胃数天可加强正常小鼠胃排空和肠推进性蠕动,拮抗新斯的明引起的胃肠运动亢进和吗啡引起的胃肠运动抑制;麦角甾甙能提高正常大鼠胃蛋白酶活性,但对胃液分泌量和胃总酸度无明显影响;麦角甾甙可加强在体兔回盲部肠管和直肠的收缩力。     

实验动物血及组织游离氨基酸含量

本文报告实验动物血及组织游离氨基酸含量,结果表明,实验狗和Wistar大鼠血游离氨基酸含量比较恒定。实验兔组织游离氨基酸含量普遍高于血。     

A Technique for Inducing Experimental Neurosis in Small Laboratory Animals

Research in the mechanism of endocrine disorders in functional disturbances of the central regulatory apparatus requires the development of an appropriate model of the affection. The employment of an experimental neurosis would seem to be promising in this regard. The Pavlov school has thoroughly elaborated techniques of inducing experimental neuroses in dogs, but when small laboratory animals (mice, rats) are employed in large-scale experiments, existing techniques do not provide a means of inducing a long-lasting pathological condition of the higher centers of the central nervous system.     

The Epidemiology of Cancer in Animals

The principles of epidemiology are applicable to the study of the distribution and determinants of cancer in both human and animal populations. There are many examples of epidemiologic factors (host, environment, agent and time) related to cancer in animals. Certain host characteristics such as age, sex and breed are related to risk of developing cancer. Some environmental influences are illustrated by differences in the geographical distribution of certain types of animal cancer.Aggregations of cancer cases have been reported in herds, families and households. However, the usual distribution of cases in a population does not resemble epidemics typical of infectious diseases. Several factors (radiological, chemical, dietary, parasitic, mechanical, genetic and viral) have been identified as influences that affect the development of animal tumors.Animal species that have been domesticated live longer and consequently malignant disease develops in more of them. Cancer incidence rates now available from data compiled by an animal neoplasm registry in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, California, indicate that some of the frequent sites of cancer in man (skin, breast and the hemic and lymphatic systems) are among the most frequent sites in dogs and cats, man''s closest animal associates.     

Pharmacokinetics of HLDF-6-AA Peptide in the Organism of Experimental Animals

Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry - Pharmacokinetics of the promising antitumor peptide HLDF-6-AA (Ac-ThrGlyGluAsnHisArg-NH2) was studied using its uniformly tritiated derivative. Experiments...     

普通级大动物实验设施建设体会

根据实验动物环境及设施国家标准（GB14925-2010）规定,结合公司的土建基础,综合考虑动物实验的要求,工程设计合理,施工规范。设施的各项指标均符合国家的相关标准。目前该设施总体运行良好,以下就该设施建设过程中的一些体会进行归纳。     

实验动物与兽用生物制品检验和研发

在兽用生物制品的质量检验和研发中,实验动物的应用极其普遍.其应用的历史悠久、使用面广,涉及的动物种类多、数量大.本文对应用动物进行兽用生物制品检验和研发中存在的问题进行了分析,并提出了建立大动物基地、保证供应,完善标准、保证质量,更新观念、完善法规、减少动物用量,加强管理、确保生物安全等方面的建议.     

转基因动物在生物制药工业中的应用

简要论述了转基因动物的概念、制作方法及应用领域,回顾了转基因动物技术的发展及现状,分析了转基因动物与克隆动物的区别.就转基因动物在制药工业和生物医药领域中的国内外研究与开发应用情况进行了阐述,同时展望了转基因动物制药的发展前景及对社会的影响.     

动物辨别亲属的机制

亲缘识别在动物界中是很普遍的现象。不同的动物有不同的手段识别亲属。亲缘辨别的机制主要有空间识别机制,熟悉机制,表形匹配和识别等位基因4种机制,有的动物只有一种机制起作用,有的则是两种机制同时共存或不同时期不同机制。此外,还概述了亲缘辨别的一些功能。     

动物转基因研究中的技术方法

转基因动物研究的深入为生物学的发展起到了巨大的推动作用。转基因新技术的不断出现,推动了转基因动物的发展。介绍了几种哺乳动物转基因研究中常见的方法,包括原核显微注射法、逆转录病毒感染法、胚胎干细胞介导法、生殖细胞介导法、基因打靶以及新的比较有应用前景的方法,如PiggyBac、iPS,锌指核酸酶法,并且分别对每种方法的优缺点进行了总结归纳。