检测低拷贝数HBVDNA含量的临床研究

目的:了解不同试剂在应用实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应(FQ-PCR)以及巢式PCR方法在检测低拷贝数的HBV DNA量的差异与灵敏度.方法:用上海复星医学科技发展有限公司(A方法)检测出了68例HBV DNA结果为5.1× 101-1.0× 103拷贝数/毫升的低拷贝数标本.然后,三家不同公司的试剂(方法B、方法C、方法D)对这些样本进行复核.另外,巢式聚合酶链反应PCR法检测此68例标本.随访巢式PCR结果为阳性的10例低拷贝数HBV DNA的病人.结果:用四种方法(A、B、C、D)检测的68个样本的HBV DNA拷贝数结果如下:无拷贝(0,9,12,4);101-102 (21,17,18,22);102-103(47,36,28,35),大于103(0,6,10,7).同时,用巢式聚合酶链反应检测此68例标本,有55例检测为阳性,有13为阴性结果.巢式PCR结果为阳性的10例低拷贝数HBV DNA含量的病人,随访发现此10病人有8例均在1～3月后出现HBV DNA的反跳,并伴肝功能的不正常,其HBV DNA的含量均在104拷贝数/毫升以上.结论:目前所用的实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应(FQ-PCR)的方法和试剂对低拷贝数HBV DNA存在不稳定性和不确定性.巢式PCR法对低拷贝数HBV DNA的检测灵敏度要远高于实时荧光定量PCR法.该研究提示测对抗病毒治疗过程中患者进行低拷贝数HBV DNA的检将提供有效的药物评价和预后信息.     

Pre-treatment of recombinant mouse MFG-E8 downregulates LPS-induced TNF-α production in macrophages via STAT3-mediated SOCS3 activation

Milk fat globule-epidermal growth factor factor 8 (MFG-E8) regulates innate immune function by modulating cellular signaling, which is less understood. Herein, we aimed to investigate the direct anti-inflammatory role of MFG-E8 in macrophages by pre-treatment with recombinant murine MFG-E8 (rmMFG-E8) followed by stimulation with LPS in RAW264.7 cells and in peritoneal macrophages, isolated from wild-type (WT) or MFG-E8(-/-) mice. RAW264.7 cells and mouse peritoneal macrophages treated with rmMFG-E8 significantly downregulated LPS-induced TNF-α mRNA by 25% and 24%, and protein levels by 29% and 23%, respectively (P<0.05). Conversely, peritoneal macrophages isolated from MFG-E8(-/-) mice produced 28% higher levels of TNF-α, as compared to WT mice when treated with LPS. In in vivo, endotoxemia induced by intraperitoneal injection of LPS (5 mg/kg BW), at 4 h after induction, serum level of TNF-α was significantly higher in MFG-E8(-/-) mice (837 pg/mL) than that of WT (570 pg/mL, P<0.05). To elucidate the direct anti-inflammatory effect of MFG-E8, we examined STAT3 and its target gene, SOCS3. Treatment with rmMGF-E8 significantly induced pSTAT3 and SOCS3 in macrophages. Similar results were observed in in vivo treatment of rmMFG-E8 in peritoneal cells and splenic tissues. Pre-treatment with rmMFG-E8 significantly reduced LPS-induced NF-κB p65 contents. These data clearly indicated that rmMFG-E8 upregulated SOCS3 which in turn interacted with NF-κB p65, facilitating negative regulation of TLR4 signaling for LPS-induced TNF-α production. Our findings strongly suggest that MFG-E8 is a direct anti-inflammatory molecule, and that it could be developed as a therapy in attenuating inflammation and tissue injury.     

丹桂和籽银桂花芽分化的研究

采用石蜡切片技术, 对不育的丹桂(Osmanthus fragrans ‘Dangui’ )和可育的籽银桂(Osmanthus fragrans ‘Ziyingui’)花芽分化的过程进行了研究。结果表明, 桂花(Osmanthus fragrans Lour.)花芽形态分化可分为花芽分化初始期、总苞分化期、花原基分化期、顶花花被分化期、雄蕊分化期和雌蕊分化期6个阶段。雄蕊的发育在丹桂和籽银桂之间基本没有区别, 都能形成完整的花粉囊和成熟的花粉粒。但是, 雌蕊的发育在可育的籽银桂与不育的丹桂之间存在明显差异。根据花芽分化的过程证明, 丹桂的不育是由于雌蕊发育不正常导致的。     

‘Green tides’ are overwhelming the coastline of our blue planet: taking the world’s largest example

A broad spectrum of events that come under the category of green tide are recognized world-wide as a response to elevated levels of seawater nutrients in coastal areas. Green tides involve a wide diversity of sites, macroalgal species, consequences, and possible causes. Here we review the effect of natural and man-induced environmental fluctuations on the frequency and apparent spread of green tides. This article highlights the need for interdisciplinary research aimed at shedding light on the basic mechanisms governing the occurrence and succession of green algae in coastal seas. This will result in more effective management and mitigation of the effects of green tides, thus safeguarding the intrinsic and commercial value of coastal marine ecosystems.     

丙氨酸脱氢酶研究概况

丙氨酸脱氢酶(alanine dehydrogenase,ALD,EC 1.4.1.1)是一种以烟酰胺腺嘌呤(NAD)为辅酶的氨基酸脱氢酶.丙氨酸脱氢酶可逆催化丙氨酸氧化脱氨生成丙酮酸、氨及NADH.丙氨酸脱氢酶也是调节氨基酸代谢和糖代谢的重要酶类,其催化反应的产物丙酮酸广泛应用于医药、农药和食品等领域,具有良好的发展前景.主要介绍丙氨酸脱氢酶的纯化及活力检测、酶空间结构(底物结合住点),以及催化反应机理等方面的研究.     

Production of L(+)-lactic acid with Rhizopus oryzae immobilized in polyurethane foam cubes

Summary Polyurethane foam cubes were employed as carriers to immobilize Rhizopus oryzae for L(+)-lactic acid production. The immobilizing capacity reached 450 g-fresh cell/l-cube. The production rate of L(+)-lactic acid could be threefold increased by using the immobilized R. oryzae. The immobilized cells could be steadily used in repetitive fermentations for more than 10 batches.     

Methods for simultaneous measurement of apoptosis and cell surface phenotype of epithelial cells in effusions by flow cytometry

We describe here a protocol for the detection of epithelial cells in effusions combined with quantification of apoptosis by flow cytometry (FCM). The procedure described consists of the following stages: culturing and induction of apoptosis by staurosporine in control ovarian carcinoma cell lines (SKOV-3 and OVCAR-8); preparation of effusion specimens and cell lines for staining; staining of cancer cells in effusions and cell lines for cell surface markers (Ber-EP4, EpCAM and CD45) and intracellular/nuclear markers of apoptosis (cleaved caspase-3 and caspase-8, and incorporated deoxyuridine triphosphates); and FCM analysis of stained cell lines and effusions. This protocol identifies a specific cell population in cytologically heterogeneous clinical specimens and applies two methods to measure different aspects of apoptosis in the cell population of interest. The cleaved caspase and deoxyuridine triphosphate incorporation FCM assays are run in parallel and require (including sample preparation, staining, instrument adjustment and data acquisition) 8 h. The culturing of cell lines requires 2-3 days and induction of apoptosis requires 16 h.     

Preliminary results on nematicidal activity from culture filtrates of Basidiomycetes against the pine wood nematode,Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Aphelenchoididae)

One hundred and eighty one fungal species that were isolated from the fresh fruiting bodies collected in the Mountains of Pu Er County of Yunnan Province, China were tested on the pine wood nematode,Bursaphelenchus xylophilus in vitro. Each fungal species was grown in Czapek broth and potato dextrose broth (PDB). Fifteen filtrates fromAmauroderma austrosinense, Amauroderma macer, Filoboletus sp.,Laccaria tortilis, Lactarius gerardii, Lentinula edodes, Oudemansiella longipes, Oudemansiella mucida, Peziza sp.,Pleurotus sp.,Sinotermitomyces carnosus (two strains),Strobilomyces floccopus, Termitomyces albuminosus, Tylopilus striatulus grown on PDB were found to be pathogenic to the tested nematodes. Eleven filtrates fromAmanita junguillea, Amanita sp.,Daedalea sepiaria, Fistulina hepatica, Omphalotus olearius, Oudemansiella mucida, Peziza sp.,Pleurotus pulmatus, Ramaria sp.,Tricholoma conglobatum, Tylopilus striatulus grown on Czapek broth were also pathogenic to the nematodes. When screening for nematicidal potential of fungi, it is important to study the growth medium conditions necessary to obtain the optimal nematicidal effect as fungal filtrates growing on different liquid media showed a very inconsistent toxicity towards nematodes.     

一种宏观基因调控分子SATB1

自身多聚化的SATB1(special AT-rich sequences binding protein 1)围绕异染色质形成笼状结构分布在细胞核中,SATB1不仅结合染色质DNA的核基质结合区(matrix attachment regions,MARs),也结合核基质,能够使DNA锚定在核基质并形成袢环状结构(loop)。SATB1的磷酸化、乙酰化和小泛素化样修饰可调节其DNA结合能力和细胞核内亚结构的定位;SATB1与多种蛋白质相互作用,能够募集染色质重塑复合物和组蛋白修饰酶,实现对其靶基因表达的时空特异性调控。SATB1在调节细胞分化、细胞凋亡、肿瘤生长与转移和X染色体失活等方面起到重要作用,并有可能成为肿瘤转移的治疗靶点。