Silibinin inhibits the toxic aggregation of human islet amyloid polypeptide

In type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), misfolded human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) forms amyloid deposits in pancreatic islets. These amyloid deposits contribute to the dysfunction of β-cells and the loss of β-cell mass in T2DM patients. Inhibition of hIAPP fibrillization has been regarded as a potential therapeutic approach for T2DM. Silibinin, a major active flavonoid extracted from herb milk thistle (Silybum marianum), has been used for centuries to treat diabetes in Asia and Europe with unclear mechanisms. In this study, we tested whether silibinin has any effect on the amyloidogenicity of hIAPP. Our results provide first evidence that silibinin inhibits hIAPP fibrillization via suppressing the toxic oligomerization of hIAPP and enhances the viability of pancreatic β-cells, therefore silibinin may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for T2DM.     

Isolation and characterization of Pseudomonas brassicacearum J12 as an antagonist against Ralstonia solanacearum and identification of its antimicrobial components

A bacterial strain, J12, isolated from the rhizosphere soil of tomato plants strongly inhibited the growth of phytopathogenic bacteria Ralstonia solanacearum. Strain J12 was identified as Pseudomonas brassicacearum based on its 16S rRNA gene sequence. J12 could produce 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (2,4-DAPG), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), siderophore(s) and protease. The maximum growth and antagonistic activity were recorded at 30°C and pH 8. Glucose and tryptone were used as the most suitable carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. Strain J12 significantly suppressed tomato bacteria wilt by 45.5% in the greenhouse experiment. The main antimicrobial compound of J12 was identified as 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (2,4-DAPG) by HPLC-ESI-MS analysis. The gene cluster phlACBD, which is responsible for 2,4-DAPG production, was identified and expressed in the bacterial strain Escherichia coli DH5α.     

miR-1228 prevents cellular apoptosis through targeting of MOAP1 protein

Apoptosis is a critical cellular process that balances the effects of cell proliferation and cell death. MicroRNAs play important roles in cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis. In this study, we observed a reduction of miR-1228 expression in apoptotic cells. Enforced miR-1228 expression can reduce MOAP1 expression and delay the progression of stress-induced cell apoptosis. Rescue experiment demonstrated that miR-1228 inhibition of cellular apoptosis is significantly attenuated by repressing MOAP1 expression, suggesting the direct interaction between miR-1228 and MOAP1 protein. Taken together, this study provides evidences that miR-1228 plays an inhibitory role in stress-induced cellular apoptosis. miR-1228 may become a critical therapeutic target for apoptosis relevant diseases in the future.     

Evaluating a Parainfluenza Virus 5-Based Vaccine in a Host with Pre-Existing Immunity against Parainfluenza Virus 5

Parainfluenza virus 5 (PIV5), formerly known as simian virus 5 (SV5), is a paramyxovirus often referred to as canine parainfluenza virus (CPI) in the veterinary field. PIV5 is thought to be a contributing factor to kennel cough. Kennel cough vaccines containing live PIV5 have been used in dogs for many decades. PIV5 is not known to cause any diseases in humans or other animals. PIV5 has been used as a vector for vaccine development for humans and animals. One critical question concerning the use of PIV5 as a vector is whether prior exposure to PIV5 would prevent the use of PIV5-based vaccines. In this work, we have examined immunogenicity of a recombinant PIV5 expressing hemagglutinin (HA) of influenza A virus subtype 3 (rPIV5-H3) in dogs that were immunized against PIV5. We found that vaccination of the dogs containing neutralizing antibodies against PIV5 with rPIV5-H3 generated immunity against influenza A virus, indicting that PIV5-based vaccine is immunogenic in dogs with prior exposure. Furthermore, we have examined exposure of PIV5 in human populations. We have detected neutralizing antibody (nAb) against PIV5 in 13 out of 45 human serum samples (about 29 percent). The nAb titers in humans were lower than that in vaccinated dogs, suggesting that nAb in humans is unlikely to prevent PIV5 from being an efficacious vector in humans.     

Multiple antibiotic resistance of Vibrio cholerae serogroup O139 in China from 1993 to 2009

Regarded as an emerging diarrheal micropathogen, Vibrio cholerae serogroup O139 was first identified in 1992 and has become an important cause of cholera epidemics over the last two decades. O139 strains have been continually isolated since O139 cholera appeared in China in 1993, from sporadic cases and dispersed foodborne outbreaks, which are the common epidemic types of O139 cholera in China. Antibiotic resistance profiles of these epidemic strains are required for development of clinical treatments, epidemiological studies and disease control. In this study, a comprehensive investigation of the antibiotic resistance of V. cholerae O139 strains isolated in China from 1993 to 2009 was conducted. The initial O139 isolates were resistant to streptomycin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and polymyxin B only, while multidrug resistance increased suddenly and became common in strains isolated after 1998. Different resistance profiles were observed in the isolates from different years. In contrast, most V. cholerae O1 strains isolated in the same period were much less resistant to these antibiotics and no obvious multidrug resistance patterns were detected. Most of the non-toxigenic strains isolated from the environment and seafood were resistant to four antibiotics or fewer, although a few multidrug resistant strains were also identified. These toxigenic O139 strains exhibited a high prevalence of the class I integron and the SXT element, which were rare in the non-toxigenic strains. Molecular subtyping of O139 strains showed highly diverse pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns, which may correspond to the epidemic state of sporadic cases and small-scale outbreaks and complex resistance patterns. Severe multidrug resistance, even resistance transfers based on mobile antibiotic resistance elements, increases the probability of O139 cholera as a threat to public health. Therefore, continual epidemiological and antibiotic sensitivity surveillance should focus on the occurrence of multidrug resistance and frequent microbial population shifts in O139 strains.     

东乡野生稻耐冷渐渗系的细胞学观察及SSR分析

以前期鉴定筛选的2个东乡野生稻强耐冷渐渗系(IL5243和IL5335)为试材,研究其减数分裂时期的染色体行为特征及外源基因的渗入分子证据。结果表明:(1)IL5243和IL5335中正常减数分裂的花粉母细胞分别达89.93%和90.22%,最终形成正常的成熟花粉粒,花粉离体萌发率分别为(83.03±2.82)%和(81.96±1.73)%,与受体亲本无显著性差异。(2)在减数分裂I中,2个耐冷渐渗系均观察到低频率异常染色体行为,如单价体、"8"字型二价体、多价体,以及后期I有少数花粉母细胞(3.95%～5.15%)存在落后染色体等,表明其染色体组之间发生了交换和重组;在粗线期,2个强耐冷渐渗系均观察到较高频率(IL5243和IL5335分别为27.0%和38.9%)的双核仁,而其双亲都是单核仁。(3)SSR标记和Structure分析进一步证实了栽培稻和野生稻染色体组间发生了交换重组,东乡野生稻部分DNA片段已渗入到强耐冷渐渗系中,这为水稻耐冷基因的挖掘与利用奠定了重要基础。     

Structure and function of the tentpole in the reproductive process of Ginkgo biloba L.

The tentpole is a unique structure of the female gametophyte in Ginkgo biloba; however, its exact functions in the reproductive process are unclear. In the present study, we used semi-thin sectioning and electron microscopy to study the structure and function of the tentpole during fertilization in G. biloba. The tentpole was always initiated between two or more deeply immersed archegonia. Before fertilization, the tentpole had developed into a column-like structure, protruding toward the archegonial chamber; cells at the periphery of tentpole were loosely ranged, and abundant lipid droplets and starch grains were accumulated in the tentpole cells. After fertilization, the tentpole degenerated, and some membranous debris was overlaid on its surface. In addition, there were significant decreases in the lipids and starch grains. These results suggested that the tentpole led to the degeneration of the megaspore membrane and then supported the pliable apex of the nucellar tissues. Importantly, the tentpole also contributed to supplying nutrition for fertilization and embryo development.     

GFP转基因裸鼠脾脏组织学观察

目的探讨GFP基因导入对BALB/c荧光裸鼠脾脏组织学及免疫功能的影响。方法取不同日龄（14日龄、28日龄、49日龄、70日龄）BALB/c荧光裸鼠及BALB/c普通裸鼠各32只,雌雄各半,处死取脾脏,对脾脏的绝对重量、脾脏指数进行测量分析,对脾脏的组织学改变进行观察,并对脾脏淋巴细胞数进行统计分析。结果与14日龄荧光裸鼠相比,28日龄荧光裸鼠脾脏指数明显较高（P〈0.05）。与14日龄荧光裸鼠相比,49日龄、70日龄荧光裸鼠淋巴细胞数明显变少（P〈0.05）。与普通裸鼠（14日龄、28日龄、49日龄、70日龄）相比较,相同日龄荧光裸鼠（14日龄、28日龄、49日龄、70日龄）淋巴细胞数明显减少（P〈0.05）。结论 GFP基因对不同日龄荧光裸鼠的脾脏发育及其功能有一定影响。     

米心水青冈基因组DNA提取及RAPD反应体系优化

采用4种方法对米心水青冈基因组DNA进行提取,通过比较得出改良CTAB法提出的DNA纯度较高,能够达到扩增要求,因此采用此方法用于正式DNA的提取。适合米心水青冈的RAPD反应体系为：反应体积为25 μL,模板DNA40 ng,引物0.8 μmol·L^-1,Taq聚合酶1.25 U,Mg²⁺浓度2.0 mmol·L^-1,dNTP浓度0.16 mmol·L^-1。适合米心水青冈RAPD扩增程序： 94℃预变性3 min,一个循环,94℃变性30 s,37℃退火1 min,72℃延伸2 min,45个循环。