Secretory/releasing proteome-based identification of plasma biomarkers in HBV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma

For successful therapy, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) must be detected at an early stage. Herein, we used a proteomic approach to analyze the secretory/releasing proteome of HCC tissues to identify plasma biomarkers. Serum-free conditioned media (CM) were collected from primary cultures of cancerous tissues and surrounding noncancerous tissues. Proteomic analysis of the CM proteins permitted the identification of 1365 proteins. The enriched molecular functions and biological processes of the CM proteins, such as hydrolase activity and catabolic processes, were consistent with the liver being the most important metabolic organ. Moreover, 19% of the proteins were characterized as extracellular or membrane-bound. For validation, secretory proteins involved in transforming growth factor-β signaling pathways were validated in plasma samples. Alphafetoprotein (AFP), metalloproteinase (MMP)1, osteopontin (OPN), and pregnancy-specific beta-1-glycoprotein (PSG)9 were significantly increased in HCC patients. The overall performance of MMP1 and OPN in the diagnosis of HCC remained greater than that of AFP. In addition, this study represents the first report of MMP1 as a biomarker with a higher sensitivity and specificity than AFP. Thus, this study provides a valuable resource of the HCC secretome with the potential to investigate serological biomarkers. MMP1 and OPN could be used as novel biomarkers for the early detection of HCC and to improve the sensitivity of biomarkers compared with AFP.     

Soil microbial properties under different vegetation types on Mountain Han

This study investigated the influence of broadleaf and conifer vegetation on soil microbial communities in a distinct vertical distribution belt in Northeast China.Soil samples were taken at 0-5,5-10 and 10-20 cm depths from four vegetation types at different altitudes,which were characterized by poplar(Populus davidiana)(1250-1300 m),poplar(P.davidiana) mixed with birch(Betula platyphylla)(1370-1550 m),birch(B.platyphylla)(1550-1720 m),and larch(Larix principis-rupprechtii)(1840-1890 m).Microbial biomass and community structure were determined using the fumigation-extraction method and phospholipid fatty acid(PLFA) analysis,and soil fungal community level physiological profiles(CLPP) were characterized using Biolog FF Microplates.It was found that soil properties,especially soil organic carbon and water content,contributed significantly to the variations in soil microbes.With increasing soil depth,the soil microbial biomass,fungal biomass,and fungal catabolic ability diminished;however,the ratio of fungi to bacteria increased.The fungal ratio was higher under larch forests compared to that under poplar,birch,and their mixed forests,although the soil microbial biomass was lower.The direct contribution of vegetation types to the soil microbial community variation was 12%.If the indirect contribution through soil organic carbon was included,variations in the vegetation type had substantial influences on soil microbial composition and diversity.     

Newly discovered insect RNA viruses in China

Insects are a group of arthropods and the largest group of animals on Earth,with over one million species described to date.Like other life forms,insects suffer from viruses that cause disease and death.Viruses that are pathogenic to beneficial insects cause dramatic economic losses on agriculture.In contrast,viruses that are pathogenic to insect pests can be exploited as attractive biological control agents.All of these factors have led to an explosion in the amount of research into insect viruses in recent years,generating impressive quantities of information on the molecular and cellular biology of these viruses.Due to the wide variety of insect viruses,a better understanding of these viruses will expand our overall knowledge of their virology.Here,we review studies of several newly discovered RNA insect viruses in China.     

Radiolabeling and biodistribution of a nasopharyngeal carcinoma-targeting peptide identified by in vivo phage display

A dodecapeptide EDIKPKTSLAFR ligand targeting CEN- 1 human nasopharyngeal carcinoma （NPC） was identified by in vivo phage display. Two tridecapeptides and their derivatives, named YR13 （YEDIKPKTSLAFR）, EY 1 3 （EDIKPKTSLAFRY）, EY 1 3-NH2 （EDIKPKTSLAFRY-NH2） and Fmoc-YR 1 3 （Fmoc-YEDIKPKTSLAFR）, were synthesized and radiolabeled with ^[3]I. The stability in vitro, biodistribution and tissue distribution of selected phage particles in mice bearing NPC tumor were determined, and plasma metabolites analysis of radiolabeled peptides was carried out. Although Fmoc and NH2 groups could protect the peptide from deiodination, only Fmoc group inhibited the binding of Fmoc-YR13 to NPC tumors. The compound EY13-NH2, the C-terminal amide of peptide EY13, had the greatest serum stability, the least deiodination, and showed favorable tumor/blood ratios. The selected phage particles （phage 3 or phage 5） were more concentrated in NPC tumors than the control phage （initial phage display peptide library）. EY13 could also inhibit the binding of selected phage particles to tumors. The results indicated that EDIKPKTSLAFR was a good candidate in diagnostic and therapeutic NPC.     

The group size effect and synchronization of vigilance in the Tibetan wild ass

Vigilance behavior is considered as an effective strategy for prey species to detect predators.An individual benefits from living in a group by reducing the time spent being vigilant without affecting the probability of detecting a predator.However,the mechanism producing a decrease in vigilance with increasing group size is unclear.Many models of vigilance assume that group members scan independently of one another.Yet in recent studies,the other 2 patterns of vigilance,coordination and synchronization,were reported in some species.In 2 summers(2018 and 2019),we studied the group-size effect on vigilance and foraging of Tibetan wild ass in Chang Tang Nature Reserve of Tibet.We also tested whether individuals scan the environment independently,tend to coordinate their scans,or tend to synchronize their vigilance.The results showed that individuals decreased the time spent on vigilance with increasing group size,while increased the time spent foraging.Group members scanned the environment at the same time more frequently and there was a positive correlation between group members'behaviors,indicating that Tibetan wild asses tend to synchronize their vigilance.     

广州汉族人群DYS19、DYS389Ⅰ/Ⅱ、DYS390多态性及其单体型

用PCR结合PAGE技术观察111例广州汉族男性DYS19、DYS389Ⅰ/Ⅱ、DYS390等位基因及单体型分布状况。结果显示：广州地区汉族男性DYS19基因座观察到5种等位基因,DYS389Ⅰ观察到4种等位基因,DYS389Ⅱ观察到5种等位基因,DYS390观察到5种等位基因;χ2检验表明上述各等位基因频率分布与其他地区人群存在明显的差异。此外,还观察到72种由上述基因座共同构成的单体型,单体型多样性达0.953。 Abstract: In order to apply a set of useful and high polymorphic Y?STRs in forensic practice and genetic analysis,we performed a population genetic study from Chinese.The allele distributions of the systems DYS19、DYS389Ⅰ/Ⅱ、and DYS390 were investigated in sample of 111 unrelated males from the area of Guangzhou, China.PCR products were detected using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and silver staining.5、4、5、5 alleles were observed in locus DYS19、DYS389Ⅰ、DYS389Ⅱ、DYS390 respectively.Different allele frequency distributions were observed when compared to other population.Haplotype frequency date of 72 different types were obtained.     

近金线属的分类地位及金线属的鉴别特征(鲤形目:鲤科:亚科)

本文根据系统学原理,提出了建立新类元的依据;并据此从分类和系统发育上论证了近金线属ＡｎｃｈｉｃｙｃｌｏｃｈｅｉｌｕｓＬｉｅｔＬａｎ独立成属的可能性,认为应将近金线属归于金线属;修订了金线属ＳｉｎｏｃｙｃｌｏｃｈｅｉｌｕｓＦａｎｇ的鉴别特征。     

瑞氏木霉木糖醇脱氢酶基因的分离与鉴定

将在木聚糖上生长的瑞氏木霉(Trichoderma reesei)RutC-30的cDNA文库全部质粒转化已携带有毕赤氏酵(Pithia stipitis)木糖还原酶基因的重组酿酒酵母(Saccharomycescerevisiae)菌株H475,在H475中构建了瑞氏木霉的cDNA表达亚文库。在以木糖为唯一碳源的选择性酵母合成培养基上,从该亚文库中筛选到瑞氏木霉木糖醇脱氢酶cDNA基因．该基因片段长为1．3kb。Southern、Norhern印迹杂交分析和蛋白质凝胶电泳结果表明该基因确实来源于瑞氏木霉,所编码蛋白质分子量约为40kDa。携带有毕赤氏酵母木糖还原酶和瑞氏木霉木糖醇脱氢酶基因的重组酵母能够在以木糖为唯一碳源的培养基上生长,并能将90％以上的木糖转化为木糖醇、乙醇和其它副产品。