Human migration through bottlenecks from Southeast Asia into East Asia during Last Glacial Maximum revealed by Y chromosomes

Molecular anthropological studies of the populations in and around East Asia have resulted in the discovery that most of the Y-chromosome lineages of East Asians came from Southeast Asia. However, very few Southeast Asian populations had been investigated, and therefore, little was known about the purported migrations from Southeast Asia into East Asia and their roles in shaping the genetic structure of East Asian populations. Here, we present the Y-chromosome data from 1,652 individuals belonging to 47 Mon-Khmer (MK) and Hmong-Mien (HM) speaking populations that are distributed primarily across Southeast Asia and extend into East Asia. Haplogroup O3a3b-M7, which appears mainly in MK and HM, indicates a strong tie between the two groups. The short tandem repeat network of O3a3b-M7 displayed a hierarchical expansion structure (annual ring shape), with MK haplotypes being located at the original point, and the HM and the Tibeto-Burman haplotypes distributed further away from core of the network. Moreover, the East Asian dominant haplogroup O3a3c1-M117 shows a network structure similar to that of O3a3b-M7. These patterns indicate an early unidirectional diffusion from Southeast Asia into East Asia, which might have resulted from the genetic drift of East Asian ancestors carrying these two haplogroups through many small bottle-necks formed by the complicated landscape between Southeast Asia and East Asia. The ages of O3a3b-M7 and O3a3c1-M117 were estimated to be approximately 19 thousand years, followed by the emergence of the ancestors of HM lineages out of MK and the unidirectional northward migrations into East Asia.     

Staphylococcus sciuri exfoliative toxin C is a dimer that modulates macrophage functions

Staphylococcus sciuri causes multiple infections in humans. Recently, a strain of S. sciuri (HBXX06) carrying exfoliative toxin C (ExhC) was reported to cause fatal exudative epidermal skin pathology in piglets and might be considered as a potential zoonotic agent. However, little is known about the pathogenicity of this bacterium. In this study, we examined the activity of recombinant ExhC-his (rExhC) protein using newborn mice as the model and investigated the effect of rExhC on macrophage functions. Interestingly, we found that both rExhC and S. sciuri ExhC existed as dimers and that rExhC inhibited the phagocytosis of RAW264.7 cell lines but enhanced the production of proinflammatory mediators, such as interleukin-6, interleukin-12, tumor necrosis factor α, and nitric oxide, by murine peritoneal macrophages and RAW264.7 cells. These results suggest that ExhC may play an important role in innate immune response against S. sciuri infection.     

Ultrastructural characterization of olfactory sensilla and immunolocalization of odorant binding and chemosensory proteins from an ectoparasitoid Scleroderma guani (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae)

The three-dimensional structures of two odorant binding proteins (OBPs) and one chemosensory protein (CSP) from a polyphagous ectoparasitoid Scleroderma guani (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) were resolved bioinformatically. The results show that both SguaOBP1 and OBP2 are classic OBPs, whereas SguaCSP1 belongs to non-classic CSPs which are considered as the "Plus-C" CSP in this report. The structural differences between the two OBPs and between OBP and CSP are thoroughly described, and the structural and functional significance of the divergent C-terminal regions (e.g., the prolonged C-terminal region in SguaOBP2 and the additional pair of cysteines in SguaCSP1) are discussed. The immunoblot analyses with antisera raised against recombinant SguaOBP1, OBP2, and CSP1, respectively, indicate that two SguaOBPs are specific to antennae, whereas SguaCSP1, which are more abundant than OBPs and detected in both male and female wasps, expresses ubiquitously across different tissues.We also describe the ultrastructure of the antennal sensilla types in S. guani and compare them to 19 species of parasitic Hymenoptera. There are 11 types of sensilla in the flagellum and pedicel segments of antennae in both male and female wasps. Seven of them, including sensilla placodea (SP), long sensilla basiconica (LSB), sensilla coeloconica (SC), two types of double-walled wall pore sensilla (DWPS-I and DWPS-II), and two types of sensilla trichodea (ST-I and ST-II), are multiporous chemosensilla. The ultralsturctures of these sensilla are morphologically characterized. In comparison to monophagous specialists, the highly polyphagous generalist ectoparasitoids such as S. guani possess more diverse sensilla types which are likely related to their broad host ranges and complex life styles. Our immunocytochemistry study demonstrated that each of the seven sensilla immunoreacts with at least one antiserum against SguaOBP1, OBP2, and CSP1, respectively. Anti-OBP2 is specifically labeled in DWPS-II, whereas the anti-OBP1 shows a broad spectrum of immunoactivity toward four different sensilla (LSB, SP, ST-I and ST-II). On the other hand, anti-CSP1 is immunoactive toward SP, DWPS-I and SC. Interestingly, a cross co-localization pattern between SguaOBP1 and CSP1 is documented for the first time. Given that the numbers of OBPs and CSPs in many insect species greatly outnumber their antennal sensilla types, it is germane to suggest such phenomenon could be the rule rather than the exception.     

Enhanced dynamic range in a genetically encoded Ca2+ sensor

Genetically encoded fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) indicators are powerful tools for real-time detection of second messenger molecules and activation of signal proteins. However, these fluorescent protein-based sensors typically display marginal FRET efficiency. To improve their FRET efficiency for optical imaging and screening, we developed a number of fluorescent protein mutants based on cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) and yellow fluorescent protein (YFP). To improve FRET ratios, which were initially within a narrow dynamic range, we used DNA shuffling to develop a new FRET pair called 3xCFP/Venus. The optimized 3xCFP/Venus pair exhibited higher FRET ratios than CyPet/YPet, which has one of the greatest dynamic ranges of protein-based FRET pairs. We converted this FRET pair to a Ca(2+) FRET indicators using circular permutation Venus (cpVenus) linked with 3xCFP to form 3xCFP/cpVenus, which displayed an ～11-fold change in dynamic range in response to Ca(2+) binding. The enhanced dynamic range for Ca(2+) concentration detection using 3xCFP/cpVenus was confirmed in PC12 cells using previously established indicators (TN-XXL, ECFP/cpCitrine). To our knowledge, this FRET pair displays the largest dynamic range so far among genetically-encoded sensors, and can be used for sensitive FRET detection.     

Pronounced hypoxia in models of murine and human leukemia: high efficacy of hypoxia-activated prodrug PR-104

Recent studies indicate that interactions between leukemia cells and the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment promote leukemia cell survival and confer resistance to anti-leukemic drugs. There is evidence that BM microenvironment contains hypoxic areas that confer survival advantage to hematopoietic cells. In the present study we investigated whether hypoxia in leukemic BM contributes to the protective role of the BM microenvironment. We observed a marked expansion of hypoxic BM areas in immunodeficient mice engrafted with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells. Consistent with this finding, we found that hypoxia promotes chemoresistance in various ALL derived cell lines. These findings suggest to employ hypoxia-activated prodrugs to eliminate leukemia cells within hypoxic niches. Using several xenograft models, we demonstrated that administration of the hypoxia-activated dinitrobenzamide mustard, PR-104 prolonged survival and decreased leukemia burden of immune-deficient mice injected with primary acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells. Together, these findings strongly suggest that targeting hypoxia in leukemic BM is feasible and may significantly improve leukemia therapy.     

DMD/BMD缺失基因的检测及其表达产物的变化

目的:检测Duchenne/Becker型肌营养不良症(DMD/BMD)患者基因缺失及其表达产物--抗肌营养不良蛋白在肌细胞中的变化,探讨其与临床病情的关系.方法:应用9对引物多重PCR技术对42例DMD/BMD患者进行基因检测;并采用免疫荧光抗体染色技术对5例DMD,2例BMD肌细胞膜上抗肌营养不良蛋白的表达观察分析,以2例正常人的肌组织作为对照.结果:共发现21例外显子缺失,缺失片段长度各异,其中16例(76.2%)累及中央缺失热区,5例(23.8%)位于5'端缺失热区,尤以48号外显子缺失频率最高.5例DMD患者胞膜抗肌营养不良蛋白染色阴性,其中1例未检出基因缺失,但抗肌营养不良蛋白无表达.2例BMD患者染色弱阳性,可见间断斑片状荧光带.结论:DMD/BMD病情轻重可能与基因缺失的数量和片段大小不呈平行关系,而是与外显子的缺失类型有密切关系;基因的表达受个体差异的影响,呈高度的遗传异质性.抗肌营养不良蛋白缺乏或表达异常是造成DMD/BMD表型的病理基础,其临床后果不仅取决于缺失程度,还取决于缺失区域的功能意义.     

不同品种早实核桃氨基酸含量测定与比较分析

对种植在我国不同区域、不同品种早实核桃的氨基酸质量分数进行了测定.结果表明氨基酸质量分数中新新2号最高为18.79％、其次为鲁光18.72％.人体必需氨基酸质量分数中鲁光最高为5.34％、其次是新新2号,为5.31％.     

2002～2004年浙江省无菌性脑膜炎暴发疫情的病原学研究

2002～2004年浙江省发生了无菌性脑膜炎暴发疫情,为了及时查明病因,分析病原的分子特征并进行病原溯源,我们采集患者脑脊液和粪便样本271份,用RD和Hep-2细胞同时分离病毒,对分离株VP1和VP4/VP2基因测序,进行同源性与进化分析。结果从271份样本中分离到埃柯病毒30型(E30)78株;对31株分离株VP1区核苷酸(nt)序列测定,其长度均为876nt,推导编码292个氨基酸(aa)。浙江E30株与原型株Bastianni在VP1区的nt和aa同源性分别为84.7%～86.3%和92.1%～94.2%;浙江E30株之间nt和aa的同源性分别为87.1%～99.4%和96.2%～100%。在VP1基因进化树上浙江E30株分别位于G和H基因亚型分支上,与浙江E30G亚型株亲缘关系最近的国内外毒株分别为2003年江苏、山东株和1999年乌克兰株;与浙江E30H亚型株亲缘关系最近的毒株为2008年韩国株。VP4/VP2区同源性与进化分析结果与VP1相似。结果表明2002～2004年浙江省无菌性脑膜炎暴发疫情由E30G和H二类不同基因亚型流行株引起;H基因亚型株推测为新的E30变异株,首先分离于2002年浙江省。     

Inhibition of Platelet Aggregation of a Mutant Proinsulin Chimera Engineered by Introduction of a Native Lys-Gly-Asp-containing Sequence

An eight amino acid sequence, CAKGDWNC, from disintegrin barbourin, was introduced into an inactive human proinsulin molecule between the B28 and A2 sites to construct a chimeric, anti-thrombosis recombinant protein. The constructed Lys-Gly-Asp (KGD)-proinsulin gene was expressed in Escherichia coli and then purified. The KGD-proinsulin chimera protein inhibits human platelet aggregation, induced by ADP, with an IC₅₀ value (molar concentration causing 50% inhibition of platelet aggregation) of 830 nM and demonstrates also specific affinity to glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor. Its insulin receptor binding activity remaines as low as 0.04% with native insulin as a control.     

斑痣悬茧蜂的寄主辨别能力及其影响因素

为评价斑痣悬茧蜂Meteorus pulchricornis (Wesmael)的寄主辨别能力及其影响因素, 采用双选试验（斜纹夜蛾2龄寄主幼虫, 健康∶被寄生=5∶5）, 观察了寄生经历（无寄生经历、 有1次寄生经历、 有1次过寄生经历）和寄主被首次寄生后的间隔时间（1 - 7 d）对斑痣悬茧蜂在健康寄主和被寄生寄主之间的选择; 为探究斑痣悬茧蜂是否能够辨别寄主斑块质量, 观察了斑痣悬茧蜂连续3次访问不同质量寄主斑块（被寄生寄主∶健康寄主分别为 2∶8, 5∶5和 8∶2）时的产卵刺扎次数。对选择频次进行的分析表明, 寄主被首次寄生后的间隔时间和寄生蜂的寄生经历均对过寄生发生有显著影响(P<0.05), 过寄生概率随寄主首次被寄生后的间隔时间延长而降低; 有寄生经历的寄生蜂发生过寄生的概率低于无寄生经历的寄生蜂。用Cox比例风险模型对寄主辨别时间进行的分析表明, 发生过寄生的风险随寄主被初次寄生后间隔时间的延长而减小, 也因寄生蜂具有过寄生经历而减小。斑痣悬茧蜂在连续3次访问不同质量寄主斑块中, 产卵刺扎次数随寄主斑块的质量提高而显著增多。据此推论, 斑痣悬茧蜂不仅能够辨别被寄生寄主, 而且能够辨别含有被寄生寄主的寄主斑块。