Gene and domain duplication in the chordate Otx gene family: insights from amphioxus Otx

We report the genomic organization and deduced protein sequence of a cephalochordate member of the Otx homeobox gene family (AmphiOtx) and show its probable single-copy state in the genome. We also present molecular phylogenetic analysis indicating that there was single ancestral Otx gene in the first chordates which was duplicated in the vertebrate lineage after it had split from the lineage leading to the cephalochordates. Duplication of a C-terminal protein domain has occurred specifically in the vertebrate lineage, strengthening the case for a single Otx gene in an ancestral chordate whose gene structure has been retained in an extant cephalochordate. Comparative analysis of protein sequences and published gene expression patterns suggest that the ancestral chordate Otx gene had roles in patterning the anterior mesendoderm and central nervous system. These roles were elaborated following Otx gene duplication in vertebrates, accompanied by regulatory and structural divergence, particularly of Otx1 descendant genes.      

白簕叶挥发油的化学成分

用GCMS联用技术首次研究了云南西双版纳白簕叶挥发油的化学成分,并应用色谱峰面积归一化法计算各成分的相对含量。一共分离出108个峰,确认了其中的81种成分,所鉴定的组分占挥发油总量的96.50%,主要是萜烯类及其含氧衍生物等。     

马铃薯糖转运蛋白基因的克隆及表达分析

植物SWEET基因家族是一类糖转运蛋白,在植物的生理活动和生长发育过程中发挥着重要功能。为了解马铃薯SWEET基因的相关信息,探究其在马铃薯不同组织以及在生物胁迫与非生物胁迫下的表达特性。该研究采用同源克隆技术从马铃薯‘青薯9号’中克隆了StSWEET5基因(GenBank登录号为MN295671),其CDS序列长度为717 bp,编码238个氨基酸。系统进化树分析结果表明,StSWEET5与番茄的氨基酸序列相似性最高(97.06%)。qRT-PCR分析表明:StSWEET5基因在马铃薯各组织(根、茎、叶、花、块茎、匍匐茎)中均有表达,且在花中的表达显著高于其他组织;糖胁迫下,StSWEET5基因在根、茎、叶中均有表达,尤其在根中的表达差异最为显著(P0.05)。在晚疫病菌(Phytophthora infestans)诱导后36 h时,表达量达到最高,随后急剧下调。推测StSWEET5基因参与了马铃薯糖胁迫以及响应了晚疫病诱导的过程。     

OsRAN2, essential for mitosis,enhances cold tolerance in rice by promoting export of intranuclear tubulin and maintaining cell division under cold stress

With global climate change, abnormally low temperatures have affected the world's rice production. Many genes have been shown to be essential for molecular improvement of rice cold‐tolerance traits. However, less is known about the molecular cellular mechanism of their response to cold stress. Here, we investigated OsRAN2 involved in regulation of cell division during cold stress in rice. Expression of OsRAN2 was increased under cold treatment, but not during salt and drought stress. The mean root mitotic index was closely related to the expression level of OsRAN2. Knockdown transgenic rice lines showed an aberrant organization of spindles during mitosis and stunted growth during development. Overexpression of OsRAN2 enhanced cold tolerance in rice. The transgenic rice overexpressing OsRAN2 showed maintained cell division, decreased proportion of cells with intranuclear tubulin and formation of a normal nuclear envelope under the cold condition. Our study suggests a mechanism for OsRAN2 in regulating cold resistance in rice by maintaining cell division through promoting the normal export of intranuclear tubulin at the end of mitosis. This insight could help improve the cold‐tolerance trait in rice.     

西双版纳苦丁茶挥发油的化学成分

苦丁茶为中国南部及西南部的民间传统药用植物,经两千多年的应用和医学临床试验证明,苦丁茶具有清热解毒、抑菌消炎、抗衰老、降血脂、改善血液粘稠度和微循环、清除人体自由基及增强人体免疫能力等功效,被誉为保健茶、美容茶、降压茶和益寿茶[1,2]。苦丁茶来源较复杂,共有5科1     

高血压患者用药的依从性

高血压是人类健康面临的一个重要挑战,对患者及其家庭和社会造成了巨大的疾病负担。药物治疗是控制高血压的重要手段,合理应用抗高血压药能使90%的患者血压处于正常范围,但实际高血压的控制率仍很低,且发病率逐年上升,究其根本原因,是由于患者用药依从性不良。本文综述了高血压患者用药依从性的概念、现状及评估方法,并对其影响因素进行了详细的阐述,指出应积极干预及加强健康教育,以最大限度提高患者的用药依从性,降低高血压带来的靶器官损害,并进一步对寻求更准确、客观的用药依从性评估方法做出展望。     

DIAGNOSTIC SELF‐TESTING: AUTONOMOUS CHOICES AND RELATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Diagnostic self‐testing devices are being developed for many illnesses, chronic diseases and infections. These will be used in hospitals, at point‐of‐care facilities and at home. Designed to allow earlier detection of diseases, self‐testing diagnostic devices may improve disease prevention, slow the progression of disease and facilitate better treatment outcomes. These devices have the potential to benefit both the individual and society by enabling individuals to take a more proactive role in the maintenance of their health and by helping society improve health and reduce health costs. However, the full implications of future home‐based diagnostic technology for individuals and society remain unclear due to their novelty. We argue that the development of diagnostic tools, especially for home use, will heighten a number of ethical challenges. This paper will explore some of the ethical implications of home‐based self‐testing diagnostic devices for the autonomous and relational dimensions of the person. This will be facilitated by examining the impact of diagnostic devices for individual autonomy, for the delivery of accurate diagnosis and for the personal significance of the information for the user. The latter will be examined using Charles Taylor's view of personhood and his emphasis on human agency and interpretation. While the ethical issues are not necessarily new, the development of home‐based self‐testing diagnostic devices will make issues regarding autonomy, accuracy of information and personal significance more and more demanding. This will be the case particularly when an individual's autonomous choices come into conflict with the person's relational responsibilities.