哺乳动物营养代谢的时间生物学研究进展

时间生物学主要是研究生物体内生理和行为的时间机制的学科,而这种机制主要是由生物钟调控的。研究表明,营养代谢的各个方面如葡萄糖转运、糖原异生、脂质合成及降解、氧化磷酸化等作用都受到生物钟核心转录机制的调控,并具有时间敏感性;相反,代谢信号也可以反馈调节生物钟系统,包括生物钟基因表达和行为活动。生物钟的紊乱会造成诸如心血管疾病、肥胖、糖尿病等多种疾病。本文从代谢与生物钟的相互关系、各类营养信号和营养素对生物钟的作用以及生物钟与营养代谢相关疾病的关系等多方面综述了哺乳动物营养代谢的时间生物学研究进展。     

Exploring Health Literacy in Medical University Students of Chongqing,China: A Cross-Sectional Study

Health literacy is important in public health and healthcare, particularly in effective communication between patients and health professionals. Although most medical students will eventually work as health professionals after graduation, research on health literacy of medical students is scarce. This study aimed to assess the health literacy level of medical students in Chongqing, China, and its influencing factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted and 1,275 participants (250 males and 1,022 females) who majored in five different disciplines were involved. The Health Literacy Questionnaire was used as the survey tool. The junior students obtained the highest scores, whereas the freshman students had the lowest scores on each scale. The average score of males was higher than that of females except in “feeling understood and supported by healthcare providers,” and the average score of students who reside in urban areas was higher than that of students in rural areas. Moreover, the average score of engineering students was higher than that of medical or health sciences students. Multiple linear regression models (R_adj² = 0.435, P = 0.000) showed that the grade, socioeconomic status, and parent’s highest level of education were positively correlated with health literacy. In conclusion, the health literacy levels of the medical students are insufficient and need improvement.     

A meta-analysis of HLA-DR polymorphism and genetic susceptibility to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) has been hypothesized as a multifactorial disorder initiated by an environment trigger in individuals with predisposing human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles. Published data on the association between HLA-DR polymorphism and IDC risk are inconclusive. To derive a more precise estimation of the relationship, a meta-analysis was performed. A total of 19 case–control studies including 1,378 cases and 10,383 controls provided data on the association between HLA-DR polymorphism and genetic susceptibility to IDC. Overall, statistically elevated frequencies of HLA-DR4 (OR 1.58; 95% CI 1.21–2.07; P = 0.0009) and HLA-DR5 (OR 1.35; 95% CI 1.05–1.73; P = 0.02) alleles were found in patients with IDC compared with controls. Individuals with HLA-DR3 antigen have a protective effect against IDC (OR 0.72; 95% CI 0.58–0.90; P = 0.004). In summary, this meta-analysis indicated that certain HLA-DR alleles may be genetic markers for susceptibility and resistance to IDC.     

Enzymatic Recovery of Elemental Palladium by Using Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria

Worldwide usage of platinum group metals is increasing, prompting new recovery technologies. Resting cells of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans reduced soluble Pd²⁺ to elemental, cell-bound Pd⁰ supported by pyruvate, formate, or H₂ as the electron donor without biochemical cofactors. Pd reduction was O₂ insensitive, opening the way for recycling and recovery of Pd under oxic conditions.     

Shotgun cross-linking analysis for studying quaternary and tertiary protein structures

We developed a new approach that employs a novel computer algorithm for the sensitive and high-throughput analysis of tertiary and quaternary interaction sites from chemically cross-linked proteins or multi-protein complexes. First, we directly analyze the digests of the chemically cross-linked proteins using only high-accuracy LC-MS/MS data. We analyze these data using a computer algorithm, we term X!Link, to find cross-links between two peptides. Our algorithm is rapid, taking only a few seconds to analyze approximately 5000 MS/MS spectra. We applied this algorithm to analyze cross-linked sites generated chemically using the amino specific reagent, BS3, in both cytochrome c and the mitochondrial division dynamin mutant, Dnm1G385D, which exists as a stable homodimer. From cytochrome c, a well-established test protein, we identified a total of 31 cross-links, 21 interpeptide and 10 intrapeptide cross-links, in 257 MS/MS spectra from a single LC-MS/MS data set. The high sensitivity of this technique is indicated by the fact that all 19 lysines in cytochrome c were detected as a cross-link product and 33% of all the Lys pairs within 20 A were also observed as a cross-link. Analysis of the cross-linked dimeric form of Dnm1G385D identified a total of 46 cross-links, 38 interpeptide and 8 intrapeptide cross-links, in 98 MS/MS spectra in a single LC-MS/MS data set. These results represent the most abundant cross-links identified in a single protein or protein dimer to date. Statistical analysis suggests a 1% false discovery rate after optimization of filtering parameters. Further analysis of the cross-links identified using our approach indicates that careful manual inspection is important for the correct assignment of cross-linking sites when multiple cross-linkable sites or several similar sequences exist. In summary, we have developed a sensitive MS-based approach to identify peptide-peptide cross-links that does not require isotopic labeling or comparison with non-cross-linked controls, making it faster and simpler than current methodologies.     

哈萨克族学生体质发育状况的10年比较分析

报道新疆阿勒泰地区1995年2589名城镇7—18岁哈萨克族(哈族)中小学生身高、体重、胸围、坐高、肩宽、骨盆宽6项体质发育指标的调查结果。男女生体质发育指标随年龄增加而增长,各项指标的年均增长值皆为男生大于女生。与1985年比较,哈族学生的身高、体重、胸围皆有不同程度增长。哈族男女生的身高突增年龄仍分别为14岁和10岁,但是其身高增长却不伴有相应比例的坐高增长,女生部分年龄组的肩宽和男女生各年龄组的骨盆宽呈现负增长,提示哈族学生的体型与10年前相比已经开始有所改变。     

Generation of virus‐resistant potato plants by RNA genome targeting

CRISPR/Cas systems provide bacteria and archaea with molecular immunity against invading phages and foreign plasmids. The class 2 type VI CRISPR/Cas effector Cas13a is an RNA‐targeting CRISPR effector that provides protection against RNA phages. Here we report the repurposing of CRISPR/Cas13a to protect potato plants from a eukaryotic virus, Potato virus Y (PVY). Transgenic potato lines expressing Cas13a/sgRNA (small guide RNA) constructs showed suppressed PVY accumulation and disease symptoms. The levels of viral resistance correlated with the expression levels of the Cas13a/sgRNA construct in the plants. Our data further demonstrate that appropriately designed sgRNAs can specifically interfere with multiple PVY strains, while having no effect on unrelated viruses such as PVA or Potato virus S. Our findings provide a novel and highly efficient strategy for engineering crops with resistances to viral diseases.     

拟南芥VSP2蛋白的重组表达及其酸性磷酸酶活性的测定

通过PCR扩增从拟南芥cDNA文库中得到VSP2蛋白的编码序列,将其构建到原核表达载体pET-22b上,并在大肠杆菌BL21菌株中实现高效可溶表达。经过Ni-NTA亲和层析一步纯化,获得电泳纯的重组VSP2蛋白。以pNPP为底物检测,该蛋白具有酸性磷酸酶活性,反应的最适pH值4.5,最适温度为45oC,Km值为26.2mM。重组VSP2蛋白表达量高,纯化后均一性好,适于蛋白晶体生长。     

6种沙门菌单克隆抗体的制备和效能评价

目的：制备稳定、特异、高亲和性的分别针对甲型副伤寒沙门菌、乙型副伤寒沙门菌、丙型副伤寒沙门菌、肠炎沙门菌、伤寒沙门菌和猪霍乱沙门菌的单克隆抗体。方法：用甲醛灭活的菌液抗原免疫BALB／c小鼠,取脾细胞与SP2／0骨髓瘤细胞融合;用灭活的菌液包被酶标板,ELISA筛选阳性克隆株,建立细胞系;选取高效分泌杂交瘤细胞,常规制备腹水并纯化,进行单抗特异性与亲和性评价。结果：筛选得到分泌6种沙门菌相应单克隆抗体的杂交瘤细胞株,获得高亲和性单抗;所有单抗与大部分病原菌（包括7种沙门菌、3株志贺菌、2株李斯特菌、4株致病性大肠杆菌、2株霍乱弧菌）无交叉反应,但由于同类型O抗原的广泛分布,抗乙型副伤寒沙门菌单抗与鼠伤寒沙门菌、抗伤寒沙门菌单抗与肠炎沙门菌有明显的交叉反应。结论：沙门菌单抗的制备,为感染性腹泻的监测、诊断奠定了基础。