A C-type lectin associated and translocated with cortical granules during oocyte maturation and egg fertilization in fish

Oocyte maturation and egg fertilization in both vertebrates and invertebrates are marked by orchestrated cytoplasmic translocation of secretory vesicles known as cortical granules. It is thought that such redistribution of cellular content is critical for asymmetrical cell division during early development, but the mechanism and regulation of the process is poorly understood. Here we report the identification, purification and cDNA cloning of a C-type lectin from oocytes of a freshwater fish species gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio). The purified protein has been demonstrated to have lectin activity and to be a Ca(2+)-dependent C-type lectin by hemagglutination activity assay. Immunocytochemistry revealed that the lectin is associated with cortical granules, gradually translocated to the cell surface during oocyte maturation, and discharged to the egg envelope upon fertilization. Interestingly, the lectin becomes phosphorylated on threonine residues upon induction of exocytosis by fertilization and returns to its original state after morula stage of embryonic development, suggesting that this posttranslational modification may represent a critical molecular switch for early embryonic development.     

Comparison of Endoscopic and Open Resection for Small Gastric Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommends conservative follow-up for gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) less than 2 cm. We have previously reported that the mitotic index of 22.22% of small gastric GISTs exceeded 5 per 50 high-power fields and recommended that all small gastric GISTs should be resected once diagnosed. The aim of the present study is to compare the safety and outcomes of endoscopic and open resection of small gastric GISTs. From May 2010 to March 2014, a total of 90 small gastric GIST patients were enrolled in the present study, including 40 patients who underwent surgical resection and 50 patients who underwent endoscopic resection. The clinicopathological characteristics, resection-related factors, and clinical outcomes were recorded and analyzed. The clinicopathological characteristics were comparable between the two groups except for tumor location and DOG-1 expression. Compared with the surgical resection group, the operation time was shorter (P = .000), blood loss was less (P = .000), pain intensity was lower (P < .05), duration of first flatus and defecation was shorter (P < .05), and medical cost of hospitalization was lower (P = .027) in the endoscopic resection group. The complications and postoperative hospital stay were comparable between the two groups. No in situ recurrence or liver metastasis was observed during follow-up. Endoscopic resection of small gastric GISTs is safe and feasible compared with surgical resection, although perforation could not be totally avoided during and after resection. The clinical outcome of endoscopic resection is also favorable.     

无细胞百日咳工艺中PO4^3—影响DTaP免疫效力分析

用0.02mol/L磷酸盐缓冲液和不用磷酸盐缓冲液透析生产无细胞百日咳（aP）,按《2000年版生物制品规程》制备和检定氢氧化铝吸附无细胞百日咳、白喉、破伤风联合疫苗（DTaP）。发现用磷酸盐缓冲液和不用磷酸盐缓冲液透析生产aP组成DTaP免疫效力差异非常显著,后者100％（10／10）合格,前者合格率只有27％（3／11）,用钼兰法测定DTaP中PO4^3-离子浓度。结果表明后者的PO4^3-浓度只是前者的1／10,PO4^3-依次影响白喉、破伤风、百日咳免疫效价。     

Quantitative trait loci mapping of dark-induced senescence in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum)

In order to explore the genetics of dark-induced senescence in winter wheat(Triticum aestivum L.),a quantitative trait loci(QTL)analysis was carried out in a doubled haploid population developed from a cross between the varieties Hanxuan 10(HX)and Lumai 14(LM).The senescence parameters chlorophyll content(Chl a+b,Chl a,and Chl b),original fluorescence(Fo),maximum fluorescence level(Fm),maximum photochemical efficiency(Fv/Fm),and ratio of variable fluorescence to original fluorescence(Fv/Fo)were evaluated in the second leaf of whole three-leaf seedlings subjected to 7 d of darkness.A total of 43 QTLs were identified that were associated with dark-induced senescence using composite interval mapping.These QTLs were mapped to 20 loci distributed on 11 chromosomes:1B,1D,2A,2B,3B,3D,5D,6A,6B,7A,and 7B.The phenotypic variation explained by each QTL ranged from 7.5% to 19.4%.Eleven loci coincided with two or more of the analyzed parameters.In addition,14 loci co-located or were linked with previously reported QTLs regulating flag leaf senescence,tolerance to high light stress,and grain protein content(Gpc),separately.     

Rapamycin inhibits AR signaling pathway in prostate cancer by interacting with the FK1 domain of FKBP51

Reactivation of the androgen receptor signaling pathway in the emasculated environment is the main reason for the occurrence of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). The immunophilin FKBP51, as a co-chaperone protein, together with Hsp90 help the correct folding of AR. Rapamycin is a known small-molecule inhibitor of FKBP51, but its effect on the FKBP51/AR signaling pathway is not clear. In this study, the interaction mechanism between FKBP51 and rapamycin was investigated using steady-state fluorescence quenching, X-ray crystallization, MTT assay, and qRT-PCR. Steady-state fluorescence quenching assay showed that rapamycin could interact with FKBP51. The crystal of the rapamycin-FKBP51 complex indicated that rapamycin occupies the hydrophobic binding pocket of FK1 domain which is vital for AR activity. The residues involving rapamycin binding are mainly hydrophobic and may overlap with the AR interaction site. Further assays showed that rapamycin could inhibit the androgen-dependent growth of human prostate cancer cells by down-regulating the expression levels of AR activated downstream genes. Taken together, our study demonstrates that rapamycin suppresses AR signaling pathway by interfering with the interaction between AR and FKBP51. The results of this study not only can provide useful information about the interaction mechanism between rapamycin and FKBP51, but also can provide new clues for the treatment of prostate cancer and castration-resistant prostate cancer.     

Revisiting the Role of Conductivity and Polarity of Host Materials for Long‐Life Lithium–Sulfur Battery

Despite their high theoretical energy density and low cost, lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) suffer from poor cycle life and low energy efficiency owing to the polysulfides shuttle and the electronic insulating nature of sulfur. Conductivity and polarity are two critical parameters for the search of optimal sulfur host materials. However, their role in immobilizing polysulfides and enhancing redox kinetics for long‐life LSBs are not fully understood. This work has conducted an evaluation on the role of polarity over conductivity by using a polar but nonconductive platelet ordered mesoporous silica (pOMS) and its replica platelet ordered mesoporous carbon (pOMC), which is conductive but nonpolar. It is found that the polar pOMS/S cathode with a sulfur mass fraction of 80 wt% demonstrates outstanding long‐term cycle stability for 2000 cycles even at a high current density of 2C. Furthermore, the pOMS/S cathode with a high sulfur loading of 6.5 mg cm^?2 illustrates high areal and volumetric capacities with high capacity retention. Complementary physical and electrochemical probes clearly show that surface polarity and structure are more dominant factors for sulfur utilization efficiency and long‐life, while the conductivity can be compensated by the conductive agent involved as a required electrode material during electrode preparation. The present findings shed new light on the design principles of sulfur hosts towards long‐life and highly efficient LSBs.     

60Coγ射线对高免卵黄液中EDS-76病毒灭活的研究

用不同剂量、剂量率的^60Coγ射线对卵黄液中的EDS-76病毒进行辐照,研究了其对病毒的灭活效果和对卵黄抗体(IgY)的影响。结果表明,^60Coγ射线辐照,可以灭活高免卵黄液中的EDS-76病毒,且随辐照剂量、剂量率的增大,灭活率也增高;EDS-76病毒在卵黄液中的D10值为0．57kGy～0．60kGy;6．0kGy的辐照剂量,可以将高免卵黄液中的EDS-76病毒完全灭活,且不影响卵黄抗体效价,该卵黄抗体稳定性好、耐酸、耐热、耐蛋白酶消化。     

Folding of the SARS coronavirus spike glycoprotein immunological fragment (SARS_S1b): thermodynamic and kinetic investigation correlating with three-dimensional structural modeling

Spike glycoprotein of SARS coronavirus (S protein) plays a pivotal role in SARS coronavirus (SARS_CoV) infection. The immunological fragment of the S protein (Ala251-His641, SARS_S1b) is believed to be essential for SARS_CoV entering the host cell through S protein-ACE-2 interaction. We have quantitatively characterized the thermally induced and GuHCl-induced unfolding features of SARS_S1b using circular dichroism (CD), tryptophan fluorescence, and stopped-flow spectral techniques. For the thermally induced unfolding at pH 7.4, the apparent activation energy (E(app)) and transition midpoint temperature (Tm) were determined to be 16.3 +/- 0.2 kcal/mol and 52.5 +/- 0.4 degrees C, respectively. The CD spectra are not dependent on temperature, suggesting that the secondary structure of SARS_S1b has a relatively high thermal stability. GuHCl strongly affected SARS_S1b structure. Both the CD and fluorescent spectra resulted in consistent values of the transition middle concentration of the denaturant (Cm, ranging from 2.30 to 2.45 M) and the standard free energy change (deltaG(o), ranging from 2.1 to 2.5 kcal/mol) for the SARS_S1b unfolding reaction. Moreover, the kinetic features of the chemical unfolding and refolding of SARS_S1b were also characterized using a stopped-flow CD spectral technique. The obvious unfolding reaction rates and relaxation times were determined at various GuHCl concentrations, and the Cm value was obtained, which is very close to the data that resulted from CD and fluorescent spectral determinations. Secondary and three-dimensional structural predictions by homology modeling indicated that SARS_S1b folded as a globular-like structure by beta-sheets and loops; two of the four tryptophans are located on the protein surface, which is in agreement with the tryptophan fluorescence result. The three-dimensional model was also used to explain the recently published experimental results of S1-ACE-2 binding and immunizations.     

高粱种质材料幼苗期耐盐碱性评价

采用Hoagland营养液砂培法,以NaCl和Na2CO3组成的混合盐碱对高粱幼苗进行胁迫处理,建立高粱幼苗期耐盐碱评价方法,并评价了66份高粱种质材料的耐盐碱性.结果表明:盐浓度在8.0～12.5 g·L-1时,高粱耐盐碱品种‘TS-185’与盐碱敏感品种‘Tx-622B’在幼苗期的耐盐碱性差异明显,表明进行高粱幼苗期耐盐碱性评价时适宜的盐浓度范围为8.0～12.5 g· L-1.在10.0和12.5 g·L-12个盐浓度下,66份高粱种质材料的相对存活率、相对地上部鲜质量和相对株高的差异均达显著水平,表明不同品种的耐盐碱性不同.其中,‘三尺三’为高度耐盐碱品种,‘MN-2735’等16个品种为耐盐碱品种,‘EARLY HONEY’等32个品种为中等耐盐碱品种,‘Tx-622B’等16个品种为盐碱敏感品种,‘MN-4588’为高度盐碱敏感品种.苏丹草类型高粱一般具有较高的耐盐碱性,而保持系对盐碱较为敏感.