Overexpression of sema3a in myocardial infarction border zone decreases vulnerability of ventricular tachycardia post‐myocardial infarction in rats

The expression of the chemorepellent Sema3a is inversely related to sympathetic innervation. We investigated whether overexpression of Sema3a in the myocardial infarction (MI) border zone could attenuate sympathetic hyper‐innervation and decrease the vulnerability to malignant ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VT) in rats. Survived MI rats were randomized to phosphate buffered saline (PBS, n = 12); mock lentivirus (MLV, n = 13) and lentivirus‐mediated overexpression of Sema3a (SLV, n = 13) groups. Sham‐operated rats served as control group (CON, n = 20). Cardiac function and electrophysiological study (PES) were performed at 1 week later. Blood and tissue samples were collected for histological analysis, epinephrine (EPI), growth‐associated factor 43 (GAP43) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) measurements. QTc intervals were significantly shorter in SLV group than in PBS and MLV groups (168.6 ± 7.8 vs. 178.1 ± 9.5 and 180.9 ± 8.2 ms, all P < 0.01). Inducibility of VT by PES was significantly lower in the SLV group [30.8% (4/13)] than in PBS [66.7% (8/12)] and MLV [61.5% (8/13)] groups (P < 0.05). mRNA and protein expressions of Sema3a were significantly higher and the protein expression of GAP43 and TH was significantly lower at 7 days after transduction in SLV group compared with PBS, MLV and CON groups. Myocardial EPI in the border zone was also significantly lower in SLV group than in PBS and MLV group (8.73 ± 1.30 vs. 11.94 ± 1.71 and 12.24 ± 1.54 μg/g protein, P < 0.001). Overexpression of Sema3a in MI border zone could reduce the inducibility of ventricular arrhythmias by reducing sympathetic hyper‐reinnervation after infarction.     

JQ-1 ameliorates schistosomiasis liver granuloma in mice by suppressing male and female reproductive systems and egg development of Schistosoma japonicum

Schistosomiasis is a serious and widespread parasitic disease caused by infection with Schistosoma. Because the parasite’s eggs are primarily responsible for schistosomiasis dissemination and pathogenesis, inhibiting egg production is a potential approach to control the spread and severity of the disease. The bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) proteins represent promising targets for the development of epigenetic drugs against Schistosoma. JQ-1 is a selective inhibitor of the BET protein family. In the present study, JQ-1 was applied to S. japonicum in vitro. By using laser confocal scanning microscopy and EdU incorporation assays, we showed that application of JQ-1 to worms in vitro affected egg laying and the development of both the male and female reproductive systems. JQ-1 also inhibited the expression of the reproductive-related genes SjPlk1 and SjNanos1 in S. japonicum. Mice infected with S. japonicum were treated with JQ-1 during egg granuloma formation. JQ-1 treatment significantly reduced the size of the liver granulomas and levels of serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in mice and suppressed both egg laying and the development of male and female S. japonicum reproductive systems in vivo. Moreover, the mRNA expression levels of some proinflammatory cytokines were decreased in the parasites. Our findings suggest that JQ-1 treatment attenuates S. japonicum egg–induced hepatic granuloma due at least in part to suppressing the development of the reproductive system and egg production of S. japonicum. These findings further suggest that JQ-1 or other BET inhibitors warrant additional study as a new approach for the treatment or prevention of schistosomiasis.     

FBXW7 suppresses epithelial‐mesenchymal transition and chemo‐resistance of non‐small‐cell lung cancer cells by targeting snai1 for ubiquitin‐dependent degradation

Objectives

FBXW7 acts as a tumour suppressor by targeting at various oncoproteins for ubiquitin‐mediated degradation. However, the clinical significance and the involving regulatory mechanisms of FBXW7 manipulation of NSCLC regeneration and therapy response are not clear.

Materials and Methods

Immunohistochemical staining and qRT‐PCR were applied to detect FBXW7 and Snai1 expression in 100 samples of NSCLC and matched tumour‐adjacent tissues. FBXW7 manipulation of cancer biological functions were studied by using MTT assay, immunoblotting, flow cytometry, transwells, wound healing assay, and sphere‐formation assays. Immunofluorescence and co‐immunoprecipitation were used to analyse the possible interaction between Snai1 and FBXW7.

Results

We detected the decreased FBXW7 expression in majority of the NSCLC tissues, and lower FBXW7 level was correlated with advanced TNM stage. Furthermore, those patients with decreased FBXW7 expression tend to have both poorer 5‐year survival outcomes, and shorter disease‐free survival, comparing to those with higher FBXW7 levels. Functionally, we found that FBXW7 enforcement suppressed NSCLC progression by inducing cell growth arrest, increasing chemo‐sensitivity and inhibiting Epithelial‐mesenchymal Transition (EMT) progress. Results further showed that FBXW7 could interact with Snai1 directly to degrade its expression through ubiquitylating alternation in NSCLC, which could be partially abrogated by restoring Snai1 expression.

Conclusions

FBXW7 conduction of tumour suppression was partly through degrading Snai1 directly for ubiquitylating regulation in NSCLC

     

滇西北高山微水体与溪流生境底栖动物多样性和环境特征

高山微水体由于面积微小且通过地表径流形成串联结构常常被认为与高山溪流具有类似的生境, 然而由于这两类生境中环境因子与底栖动物多样性存在差异, 它们在生态系统中的作用可能完全不同。滇西北地区是全球生物多样性热点区域之一, 境内高山微水体和高山溪流分布密集, 在区域底栖生物多样性维持方面具有重要的功能, 然而目前对这两类高山淡水生态系统的研究较少。为了比较这两类生境环境因子的异同及其对底栖动物多样性的维持作用, 2015年6月, 作者在云南省怒江州贡山县的高山峡谷内, 对27个高山微水体和同区域分布的1条高山溪流(海拔高差500 m范围)的底栖动物多样性和水环境因子进行了实地调查。结果表明: (1)高山微水体和高山溪流底栖动物群落中优势分类单元种群数量均比较庞大, 而稀有分类单元数量较多且种群较小; (2)两种生境在环境因子、物种多样性、功能多样性和群落结构方面的差异明显, 高山溪流有较高的物种丰富度、物种多样性和功能多样性; (3)高山微水体底栖动物多样性的分布与水环境因子无关, 而高山溪流底栖动物多样性与群落结构的形成受到与流速关联的水环境因子和海拔的影响。因此, 高山微水体与高山溪流不能简单地视为类似的生境类型, 它们对区域底栖动物多样性和生态功能维持可能具有不同的作用。     

实时荧光定量PCR在猪肺炎支原体检测中的应用

实时荧光定量PCR技术是一种利用荧光检测方法来定量核酸的技术,具有高度的灵敏性、特异性和精确性.综述了荧光定量PCR技术的基本原理及其在猪肺炎支原体检测中的应用.     

A global invasion by the thrip,Frankliniella occidentalis: Current virus vector status and its management

Western flower thrip, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), is among the most economically important agricultural pests globally, attacking a wide range of vegetable and horticultural crops. In addition to causing extensive crop damage, the species is notorious for vectoring destructive plant viruses, mainly belonging to the genera Orthotospovirus, Ilarvirus, Alphacarmovirus and Machlomovirus. Once infected by orthotospoviruses, thrips can remain virulent throughout their lifespan and continue transmitting viruses to host plants when and wherever they feed. These irruptive viral outbreaks in crops will permanently disrupt functional integrated pest management systems, and typically require a remedial treatment involving insecticides, contributing to further development of insecticide resistance. To mitigate against this continuing cycle, the most effective management is early and comprehensive surveillance of the pest species and recognition of plant viruses in the field. This review provides information on the pest status of F. occidentalis, discusses the current global status of the viruses vectored by this thrip species, examines the mechanisms involved in transmitting virus‐induced diseases by thrips, and reviews different management strategies, highlighting the potential management tactics developed for various cropping systems. The early surveillance and the utilization of potential methods for control of both F. occidentalis and viruses are proposed.     

豇豆单孢锈菌中病毒样颗粒中双链RNA的存在

从北京西郊清华园附近田间豇豆上采集的豇豆单孢锈菌(Uormyces vignal Barcl)夏孢子。萌发后提取双链RNA,电泳分析可测出300—8000碱基对的三组双链RNA。从萌发的孢子中通过差迷离心提取病毒样颗粒,可获得二种类型的病毒样颗粒,一种直径为35—40nm的等轴颗粒。另一种为长短不等的棒状颗粒,用提纯物提取核酸电泳分析与直接从孢子中提取的双链RNA有相同的核酸带,从而证明这些双链RNA存在于病毒样颗粒中。     

青枯假单胞杆菌噬菌体ZP-2和ZP-3的生物学性状

噬菌体可作为检测和区分植物病原细菌的一种手段。有关青枯假单胞杆菌(Pseudomo-n~(as solanacearum) 噬菌体的研究工作报道不多,姜瘟菌株上的噬菌体则还未见报道。本文所报道的关于分离自土壤的青枯假单胞杆菌姜瘟菌株(ZO-12)的噬菌体ZP-2和ZP-3生物学性状的研究结果,可为这些噬菌体的利用提供参考依据。     

植物对土壤中铀的吸收与富集

核工业发展导致重金属铀排放和扩散,并造成了地表土壤的污染,对人类的生存环境产生了极其不利的影响。如何修复铀污染土壤成为亟待解决的问题。近年来发展起来的植物修复技术以其成本低廉、安全和环保的特点成为修复铀污染土壤的新选择。寻找理想的铀富集植物是这一技术的基础和关键。该文通过实验模拟铀污染的土壤（土壤中铀的浓度为100 mg.kg–1）,进行一次和二次铀污染土壤的植物修复后,从4个方面对植物修复铀污染土壤效果进行评估,即富集铀的浓度、生物提取量、生物富集系数（BFS）和转运系数（TFS）。实验结果表明：第1次修复时,四季香油麦菜（Lactuca dolichophylla）地上部富集铀的浓度为1.67×103 mg.kg–1,生物富集系数和转移系数均大于3;第2次修复时,麦冬（Ophiopogon japoni-cus）富集铀的浓度与第1次修复相比变化不大,而吊兰（Chlorophytum comosum）、四季豆（Phaseolus vulgaris）和艾蒿（Artemisia lavandulaefolia）富集铀的浓度与第1次修复相比均减少4–8倍;施加土壤改良剂鸡粪肥、海藻肥和柠檬酸后发现海藻肥和柠檬酸能够增强植物对铀污染土壤的修复;对两次修复土壤中铀的形态进行对比分析,发现二次修复时土壤中生物有效态铀的含量降低,造成第2次修复的难度增加。     

褶纹冠蚌和背角无齿蚌对水体营养盐和浮游植物的影响

2009年5月31日-6月20日在广东省大沙河水库利用微型生态系统比较不同放养密度的褶纹冠蚌(Cristaria plicata)和背角无齿蚌(Anodonta woodiana)对水体氮、磷及浮游植物的影响,探讨两种蚌在控制南亚热带水库富营养化水体藻类水华上的可行性。实验结果表明,在褶纹冠蚌和背角无齿蚌处理组中,总氮、总磷和叶绿素a浓度显著增加,而铵氮的浓度显著下降;褶纹冠蚌和背角无齿蚌导致了浮游植物群落组成结构的改变和数量的增加,实验过程中绿藻所占的比例迅速上升。两种蚌之间没有显著的差异,只是在不同的作用强度下,时间上的响应不同。综合实验结果,褶纹冠蚌和背角无齿蚌难以有效地运用于我国华南地区水库的水质改善与富营养化控制。