赣南脐橙粉虱类害虫种类及种群动态研究

通过在赣州开展为期2年的系统调查,明确了为害赣南脐橙的粉虱种类和发生动态。经鉴定,为害赣南脐橙的粉虱为柑橘粉虱Dialeurodes citri Ashmead和黑刺粉虱Aleurocanthus spiniferus Quaintance。2013年柑橘粉虱,黑刺粉虱卵、若虫、伪蛹、成虫数量平均密度分别为(7.61,6.67,5.45,47.43)头/叶(板),(3.84,2.84,1.82,31.80)头/叶(板);2014年柑橘粉虱,黑刺粉虱分别为(8.29,6.92,5.18,27.16)头/叶(板),(7.89,6.18,4.35,24.06)头/叶(板)。2013-2014年,两种粉虱发生数量较大,全年有多个发生高峰。柑橘粉虱和黑刺粉虱是赣南脐橙上的重要害虫,需加强防治工作,控制为害。     

Plasma lipidomic profiling in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Introduction

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is linked to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, not completely explained by traditional risk factors. Importantly, the increased risk occurs despite lower levels of total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Whilst systemic inflammation may be a factor, it is possible that changes in individual lipid species contribute to the increased cardiovascular risk.

Objectives

In the present study, we characterized plasma lipidomic profiles in patients with RA in comparison with healthy controls.

Methods

Patients with RA (n = 32) and age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers (n = 84) were recruited. Fasting plasma lipid profiles were measured using electrospray-ionisation tandem mass spectrometry. 24 lipid classes and subclasses were measured.

Results

Patients with RA had normal total, low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, but higher triglycerides than controls. Five lipid classes (dihydroceramides, alkylphosphatidylethanolamine, alkenylphosphatidylethanolamine, lysophosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylserine) differed between patients with RA and controls. Then we measured 36 lipid species within these 5 classes and found that 11 lipid species were different between patients with RA and controls. Three lipid classes (dihydroceramides, lysophosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylserine) and 10 lipid species remained significantly associated with RA after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, current smoking, systolic blood pressure and anti-hypertensive treatment in a binary logistic regression model.

Conclusion

This study has identified lipid alterations in RA. These alterations of lipids warrant further investigation as they may be associated with accelerated atherosclerosis and joint inflammation in patient with RA.

     

Dickkopf‐1‐promoted vasculogenic mimicry in non‐small cell lung cancer is associated with EMT and development of a cancer stem‐like cell phenotype

To characterize the contributions of Dickkopf‐1 (DKK1) towards the induction of vasculogenic mimicry (VM) in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), we evaluated cohorts of primary tumours, performed in vitro functional studies and generated xenograft mouse models. Vasculogenic mimicry was observed in 28 of 205 NSCLC tumours, while DKK1 was detected in 133 cases. Notably, DKK1 was positively associated with VM. Statistical analysis showed that VM and DKK1 were both related to aggressive clinical course and thus were indicators of a poor prognosis. Moreover, expression of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT)‐related proteins (vimentin, Slug, and Twist), cancer stem‐like cell (CSC)‐related proteins (nestin and CD44), VM‐related proteins (MMP2, MMP9, and vascular endothelial‐cadherin), and β‐catenin‐nu were all elevated in VM‐positive and DKK1‐positive tumours, whereas the epithelial marker (E‐cadherin) was reduced in the VM‐positive and DKK1‐positive groups. Non‐small cell lung cancer cell lines with overexpressed or silenced DKK1 highlighted its role in the restoration of mesenchymal phenotypes and development of CSC characteristics. Moreover, DKK1 significantly promotes NSCLC tumour cells to migrate, invade and proliferate. In vivo animal studies demonstrated that DKK1 enhances the growth of transplanted human tumours cells, as well as increased VM formation, mesenthymal phenotypes and CSC properties. Our results suggest that DKK1 can promote VM formation via induction of the expression of EMT and CSC‐related proteins. As such, we feel that DKK1 may represent a novel target of NSCLC therapy.     

The molecular simulation of the miscibility,mechanical properties and physical cross-linking behavior of the poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(acrylic acid) composited membranes

The miscibility and mechanical properties of poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) and poly acrylic acid (PAA)-composited membranes were studied with molecular simulation. The Flory–Huggins parameters (δ) were calculated to prove the good miscibility of PVA and PAA. The radial distribution functions of hydroxyl and carboxyl atoms and the average number of H-bonds were observed to indicate the degree of physical cross-linking between PVA and PAA. The influences of intermolecular physical cross-linking on the glass transition temperature and mechanical properties were estimated. The results revealed that the PVA/PAA membrane with a composition of 2:3 has the best plastic properties, which exhibits a good application value. All of the simulated results showed good agreement with the experimental data. It indicates that the method presented in this work has a promising application prospect.     

Dextranase from Arthrobacter oxydans KQ11-1 inhibits biofilm formation by polysaccharide hydrolysis

Dental plaque is a biofilm of water-soluble and water-insoluble polysaccharides, produced primarily by Streptococcus mutans. Dextranase can inhibit biofilm formation. Here, a dextranase gene from the marine microorganism Arthrobacter oxydans KQ11-1 is described, and cloned and expressed using E. coli DH5α competent cells. The recombinant enzyme was then purified and its properties were characterized. The optimal temperature and pH were determined to be 60°C and 6.5, respectively. High-performance liquid chromatography data show that the final hydrolysis products were glucose, maltose, maltotriose, and maltotetraose. Thus, dextranase can inhibit the adhesive ability of S. mutans. The minimum biofilm inhibition and reduction concentrations (MBIC₅₀ and MBRC₅₀) of dextranase were 2 U ml^?1 and 5 U ml^?1, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) observations confirmed that dextranase inhibited biofilm formation and removed previously formed biofilms.