稻飞虱嗅觉相关基因及功能的研究进展

稻飞虱是我国及亚洲各水稻产区的重大害虫,在我国成灾危害的种类主要为白背飞虱Sogatella furcifera、褐飞虱Nilaparvata lugens、灰飞虱Laodelphax striatellus.稻飞虱不仅通过韧皮部吸取汁液而且传播多种水稻病毒,对我国水稻每年产量巨大损失.目前,稻飞虱对多种常用化学杀虫剂产生了较高的抗性.因此,急需寻找新的绿色防治方法.当前,"反向化学生态"是化学防治的理想替代方案之一,即通过研究昆虫重要的嗅觉基因功能,揭示嗅觉感受机制,从而找到对昆虫具有吸引作用的小分子化合物,制备诱芯进行田间诱集的绿色防控方法.已有研究证实,嗅觉感受在稻飞虱对水稻植株的定位及危害中发挥重要作用,近年有关稻飞虱嗅觉感受分子机制研究方面也取得不少进展.本文对此进行综述和展望,以期为推动基于嗅觉感受的稻飞虱绿色防控技术的研发提供参考.     

双斑蟋营养成分分析及评价

由于具有较好的营养价值以及较高的食物转化效率,食用昆虫特别是蟋蟀受到普遍关注。在双斑蟋（Gryllus bimaculatus,GB）营养成分测定的基础上,对比家蟋（Acheta domesticus,AD）和黑蟋（Gryllus testaceus,GT）的营养及含量,分析评价了双斑蟋的使用价值。结果显示：双斑蟋水分含量71.0%、粗蛋白含量58.60%（干重）、粗脂肪含量28.90%（干重）、粗纤维含量7.23%（干重）、灰分4.93%（干重）;蛋白含量与黑蟋相当而高于家蟋,粗脂肪和灰分含量要高于家蟋和黑蟋;双斑蟋含有17种氨基酸,总氨基酸含量51.03%（干重）,必需氨基酸含量24.76%（干重）、占总氨基酸的48.3%,氨基酸含量低于其他两种蟋蟀;双斑蟋中常量元素含量最高的为钾（6 416 mg/kg,干重）、含量最低的是钙（92 mg/kg,干重）,微量元素中锌含量较高（241 mg/kg,干重）;双斑蟋油脂中不饱和脂肪酸的相对含量为65.33%,以亚油酸（37.05%）和油酸（25.86%）为主、饱和脂肪酸以棕榈酸（25.44%）和硬脂酸（8.74%）为主。双斑蟋的脂肪酸组成、含量与家蟋相近,而与黑蟋的脂肪酸组成差别较大,三种蟋蟀中含量最高的饱和脂肪酸为棕榈酸,而含量最高的不饱和酸为亚油酸。结果表明,双斑蟋的必需氨基酸组成符合FAO/WHO推荐的氨基酸构成比例的蛋白条件,具有较高的营养价值和食用价值。     

拟南芥转录因子HB22与CRY1相互作用研究

通过酵母双杂交的方法,从拟南芥转录因子库中筛选出了6个与CRY1相互作用的转录因子.为了测定其中的HB22与CRY1相互作用的强度,采用了ONPG与CPRG两种方法对其β-半乳糖苷酶活性进行了分析.结果显示在蓝光光强为50μmol/m2s,孵育时间为4 h的情况下,蓝光与暗处理情况下的β-半乳糖苷酶活性比值分别为1.668和2.18.进一步设置蓝光处理时间及光强梯度实验数据显示,在蓝光光强为50μmol/m2s孵育时间为3 h时,二者相互作用强度达到最高.说明HB22与CRY1的相互作用具有蓝光响应.对蓝光处理不同时间的野生型col-4与cry1缺失突变体的材料进行HB22基因的定量PCR分析,发现拟南芥cry1缺失突变体中该基因的表达量比野生型中高,在蓝光处理2 h时,缺失突变体中表达量为野生型中的6倍左右.说明CRY1可能介导蓝光抑制HB22基因表达.     

A time–frequency approach to estimate critical time intervals in postural control

The critical time interval (CTI) is a parameter that has been used to distinguish open-loop from closed-loop control during upright stance. The aim of this study was to develop a new method to determine CTIs. The new approach, termed the intermittent critical time interval (ICTI) method, was motivated from evidence that upright standing is an intermittent rather than an asymptotic stability control process. For this ICTI method, center-of-pressure time series are first transformed to the time–frequency domain with a wavelet method. Subsequently, the CTI is assumed equal to the time span between two local maxima in the time–frequency domain within a distinct frequency band (i.e., 0.5–1.1 Hz). This new method may help facilitate better estimates of the transition time interval between open and closed-loop control during upright stance and can also be applied in future work such as in simulating postural control. In addition, this method can be used in future work to assess temporal changes in CTIs.     

Alterations in osteoclast morphology following osteoprotegerin administration in the magnesium-deficient mouse

In the present study, we used osteoprotegerin (OPG), which blocks osteoclastogenesis, to correct and thus explain the hypercalcemia that is seen during dietary Mg deficiency in the mouse. Control and Mg-deficient mice received injections for 12 days of either OPG or vehicle only. Serum Ca was similar in Mg-deficient mice treated with OPG and in control mice receiving OPG (9.2±0.3 mg/dl vs. 9.2±0.5). Both groups had significantly higher serum Ca than controls or Mg-deficient animals receiving vehicle alone. Surprisingly, Mg-depleted mice that received OPG in doses that inhibit osteoclastic bone resorption remained hypercalcemic. Because mature osteoclasts still present in the marrow might be hyperactive, we examined osteoclast morphology at the light microscopic and ultrastructural level. Light microscopic examination of trabecular bone showed few osteoclasts in OPG-treated mice. Ultrastructural examination revealed that osteoclasts in OPG-treated mice have decreased contact with the endosteal bone surface and absence of a ruffled border. Because the morphology of the existing pool of mature osteoclasts did not enhance resorption, another mechanism, such as increased intestinal absorption of Ca in Mg-deficient mice, likely contributes to the hypercalcemia observed during Mg deficiency.     

Three New Loxophyllum Species (Ciliophora: Pleurostomatida) from China with a Brief Review of the Marine and Brackish Loxophyllum Species

Recent studies indicate that there is a high diversity of pleurostomatid ciliates in the coastal waters of China. Here, three new congeners of Loxophyllum, L. caudatum sp. n., L. rugosum sp. n., and L. chinense sp. n., are described following observations of live cells and protargol‐impregnated specimens. All three species usually have two macronuclear nodules and prominent warts along the dorsal margin formed by clustered extrusomes. In addition, L. caudatum sp. n. is characterized by its long conspicuous tail, dot‐like cortical granules, 4 or 5 left and 9 or 10 right kineties, and a single subterminal contractile vacuole. Loxophyllum rugosum sp. n. is distinguished by possessing three prominent ridges on the left side, 7–11 right and 5–7 left kineties. Loxophyllum chinense sp. n. is characterized by having several contractile vacuoles distributed along the ventral margin, 13–18 right and 6–8 left kineties. The small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) sequence similarities among six congeners range from 96.46% to 99.94%. Phylogenetic trees based on the SSU rDNA sequences indicate that all Loxophyllum spp. form a well‐supported monophyletic group. A brief review of the marine and brackish Loxophyllum species is supplied and one new combination, Litonotus multiplicatus (Kahl 1931) comb. n. (basionym Loxophyllum multiplicatum Kahl 1931), and one new name, Litonotus dragescoi nom. n. (basionym L. fasciolatus Dragesco 1966), are suggested.     

Acute Toxicity of Intravenously Administered Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles in Mice

Background

With a wide range of applications, titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles (NPs) are manufactured worldwide in large quantities. Recently, in the field of nanomedicine, intravenous injection of TiO₂ nanoparticulate carriers directly into the bloodstream has raised public concerns on their toxicity to humans.

Methods

In this study, mice were injected intravenously with a single dose of TiO₂ NPs at varying dose levels (0, 140, 300, 645, or 1387 mg/kg). Animal mortality, blood biochemistry, hematology, genotoxicity and histopathology were investigated 14 days after treatment.

Results

Death of mice in the highest dose (1387 mg/kg) group was observed at day two after TiO₂ NPs injection. At day 7, acute toxicity symptoms, such as decreased physical activity and decreased intake of food and water, were observed in the highest dose group. Hematological analysis and the micronucleus test showed no significant acute hematological or genetic toxicity except an increase in the white blood cell (WBC) count among mice 645 mg/kg dose group. However, the spleen of the mice showed significantly higher tissue weight/body weight (BW) coefficients, and lower liver and kidney coefficients in the TiO₂ NPs treated mice compared to control. The biochemical parameters and histological tissue sections indicated that TiO₂ NPs treatment could induce different degrees of damage in the brain, lung, spleen, liver and kidneys. However, no pathological effects were observed in the heart in TiO₂ NPs treated mice.

Conclusions

Intravenous injection of TiO₂ NPs at high doses in mice could cause acute toxicity effects in the brain, lung, spleen, liver, and kidney. No significant hematological or genetic toxicity was observed.     

功能性包涵体的研究进展

利用原核系统表达外源重组蛋白的一个特点是表达蛋白多以包涵体形式存在。在过去人们一直认为包涵体是错误折叠、无生物活性的蛋白,需要经过变复性的过程重新获得有生物活性、可溶的蛋白,因而变复性条件的摸索迄今仍然是该领域的难点。但近几年的研究表明包涵体并非都是无生物活性的,功能性包涵体(或者称为非传统意义包涵体) 概念的提出是该领域的一个重大研究进展。由于功能性包涵体本身具有生物活性,可在非变性条件下提取,目前已经在生命科学的基础研究、生物制药、生物材料、生物催化等领域展现出良好的应用前景。重点从功能性包涵体的定义、形成机理、提取条件等近期研究进展进行综述,以期为原核细胞表达和工业生产重组蛋白药物提供新的思路。     

高龄老年心力衰竭患者临床特点分析

目的：通过对不同年龄组心力衰竭常见临床表现进行对比分析,寻找出老年心力衰竭的特点,为临床诊断和治疗老年特别是高龄老年（〉80岁）心力衰竭提供依据。方法：我院专职人员采取回顾性调查方法,记录所选病例相关的数据：一般临床资料、基础心脏疾病、诱发因素、伴随疾病、临床表现、相关实验室检验检查情况、药物治疗具体种类、转归情况等;根据年龄分为3组：246例60—69岁组,平均年龄（64．28±3．0）2V;215例70-79岁组,平均年龄（74．19±2．85）岁;71例〉80岁组,平均年龄（84±3．34）岁。运用计算机软件Excel建立老年心衰患者资料数据库,SPSS13．0for：windows软件包进行统计分析。结果：1）随着年龄增加,心衰典型的临床表现减少,特别是高龄心衰患者,其临床表现极不典型,心力衰竭程度较重,容易在短期内出现重要器官的严重并发症;2）高龄老年人心衰以冠心病、高血压病为主要病因,随年龄增加,多病因心衰比例在上升;3）我院高龄老年人心衰的治疗以利尿剂、洋地黄类、硝酸醋类药物为主。结论：高龄老年人心力衰竭具有明确病因、程度重,症状不典型,具有严重并发症,治疗相对规范的临床特点。     

HIV-1整合酶链转移反应抑制剂的荧光筛选方法

整合酶被认为是抗HIV-1药物研究的理想靶点之一。为了建立便捷高效的整合酶链转移反应抑制剂筛选方法,首先将HIV-1整合酶原核表达载体pNL-IN转化入大肠杆菌感受态细胞BL21(DE3)进行原核表达,并用镍琼脂糖凝胶进行亲和纯化,获得了纯度和活性均较高的整合酶重组蛋白;然后设计了生物素标记的供体DNA和FITC标记的靶DNA,用链霉亲和素磁珠捕获反应体系中的DNA产物;最后用荧光分析仪检测DNA产物的荧光信号,并计算待测样品的抑制率。用已知整合酶抑制剂S-1360和MK-0518对筛选方法进行了验证,测定结果与已有实验数据相当,表明本筛选方法能够有效应用于HIV-1整合酶链转移反应抑制剂的筛选。与现有的整合酶链转移反应抑制剂筛选方法相比,本筛选方法步骤更为简化、耗时更短、成本更低。