低强度激光血管内照射对实验性糖尿病兔血液流变性质的影响

本实验用３８只实验性糖尿病兔,分别采用１．２ｍｗ、１．５ｍｗ、２．２ｍｗ×５０分钟三组不同剂量Ｈｅ—Ｎｅ激光,分两批作一次性血管内照射,测定其红细胞变形能力等８项血液流变学指标,并观察指标随时间的变化。结果表明：（１）激光照射后血液粘度降低,红细胞聚集性降低,且在２４小时内就有反映,５—７天仍然有效;（２）能提高红细胞变形能力,以照射后第３天最明显。５—７天后会回复照射前水平。此结果可为低强度激光血管内照射临床应用选择照射频度提供参考（３）可改善红细胞刚度,但时间上反映较迟     

Structure of tRNA-Modifying Enzyme TiaS and Motions of Its Substrate Binding Zinc Ribbon

The accurate modification of the tRNA^Ile anticodon wobble cytosine 34 is critical for AUA decoding in protein synthesis. Archaeal tRNA^Ile2 cytosine 34 is modified with agmatine in the presence of ATP by TiaS (tRNA^Ile2 agmatidine synthetase). However, no structure of apo-form full-length TiaS is available currently. Here, the crystal structures of apo TiaS and a complex of TiaS–agmatine–AMPPCP–Mg are presented, with properly folded zinc ribbon and Cys4-zinc coordination identified. Compared with tRNA^Ile2-bound form, the architecture of apo TiaS shows a totally different conformation of zinc ribbon. Molecular dynamics simulations of the docking complex between free-state TiaS and tRNA^Ile2 suggest that zinc ribbon domain is capable of performing large-scale motions to sample substrate binding-competent conformation. Principle component analysis and normal mode analysis show consistent results about the relative directionality of functionally correlated zinc ribbon motions. Apo TiaS and TiaS–agmatine–AMPPCP–Mg/TiaS–AMPCPP–Mg complex structures capture two snapshots of the flexible ATP-Mg binding p2loop step-by-step stabilization. Research from this study provides new insight into TiaS functional mechanism and the dynamic feature of zinc ribbons.     

蛇足石杉内生细菌多样性北大核心CSCD

【目的】探索国家二级保护野生药用植物蛇足石杉内生细菌的物种和生理活性多样性,发现并收集药用植物内生菌资源。【方法】分别从四川和福建等不同生态环境采集蛇足石杉植株,运用纯培养手段,对经过表面消毒处理的蛇足石杉样品进行内生菌的分离、培养;根据菌株16S r RNA基因信息,计算从蛇足石杉不同区系分离获得的内生细菌间的Jaccard指数、多样性指数、优势度指数与均匀度指数等,分析内生菌物种多样性;应用6种筛选模型对分离得到的内生菌进行生理活性测定,初步评价蛇足石杉内生细菌的生理活性多样性和药用价值。【结果】从12份蛇足石杉植物样品中分离获得356株内生菌菌株,菌株16S r RNA基因序列信息显示,分离得到的蛇足石杉内生细菌隶属于放线菌门、厚壁菌门和变形菌门等3个门的26个科、41个属,来源于蛇足石杉地上和地下部位的菌株数目、多样性指数等无明显差异。从中发现了分属于拟无枝酸菌属(Amycolatopsis)、Angustibacter、节杆菌属(Arthrobacter)、短小杆菌属(Curtobacterium)、Frondihabitans、Glaciihabitans、Jatrophihabitans、Luteimicrobium、Massilia、Naumannella和Tardiphaga等11个属的11个潜在新物种,以及皮生球菌科(Dermacoccaceae)的1个新属。在抗菌活性筛选中,356株纯培养物抗粪肠球菌、抗肺炎克雷伯菌、抗耻垢分枝杆菌以及抗水稻白叶枯病菌的阳性率分别是9.0%、1.4%、2.2%、0.8%;抑制SS04生长的降血脂药物筛选模型上的阳性率是8.1%;抗HIV-1的初筛阳性率为4.5%。共计74株菌在一个或多个筛选模型中显示出活性,初筛总阳性率为20.8%。【结论】蛇足石杉内生细菌具有丰富的物种多样性和生理活性多样性,是进一步发掘新型天然产物的理想菌种资源。     

From Plk1 to Plk5

Mammalian polo-like kinases (Plks) are characterized by the presence of an N-terminal protein kinase domain and a C-terminal polo-box domain (PBD) involved in substrate binding and regulation of kinase activity. Plk1-4 have traditionally been linked to cell cycle progression, genotoxic stress and, more recently, neuron biology. Recently, a fifth mammalian Plk family member, Plk5, has been characterized in murine and human cells. Plk5 is expressed mainly in differentiated tissues such as the cerebellum. Despite apparent loss of catalytic activity and a stop codon in the middle of the human gene, Plk5 proteins retain important functions in neuron biology. Notably, its expression is silenced by epigenetic alterations in brain tumors, such as glioblastomas, and its re-expression prevents cell proliferation of these tumor cells. In this review, we will focus on the non-cell cycle roles of Plks, the biology of the new member of the family and the possible kinase- and PBD-independent functions of polo-like kinases.     

Modulation,Bioinformatic Screening,and Assessment of Small Molecular Peptides Targeting the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptor (VEGFR) are important factors in tumor growth and metastasis. Molecular probes or drugs designed to target VEGF/VEGFR interactions are crucial in tumor molecular imaging and targeted therapy. Bioinformatic methods enable molecular design based on the structure of bio-macromolecules and their interactions. This study was aimed to identify tumor-targeting small-molecule peptides with high affinity for VEGFR using bioinformatics screening. The VEGFR extracellular immunoglobulin-like modules Ig1–Ig3 were used as the target to systematically alter the primary peptide sequence of VEGF_125–136. Molecular docking and surface functional group interaction methods were combined in an in silico screen for polypeptides, which in theory, would have higher affinities for VEGFR. In vitro receptor competition binding assays were used to assess the affinity of the putative VEGFR-binding polypeptides. Rhodamine-conjugated peptides were used to label and visualize peptide-binding sites on A549 cells. Using bioinformatic screening, we identified 20 polypeptides with potentially higher affinity for VEGFR. The polypeptides were capable of inhibiting the binding of ¹²⁵I-VEGF to VEGFR in a dose-dependent manner. The IC₅₀ values of QKRKRKKSRKKH and RKRKRKKSRYIVLS (80 and 185 nmol/L, respectively) were significantly lower than that of VEGF_125–136 (464 nmol/L); thus, the affinity of these peptides for VEGFR was 6- and 2.5-fold higher, respectively, than that of VEGF_125–136. Rhodamine labeling of A549 cells revealed peptide binding mainly on the plasma membrane and in the cytoplasm. Bioinformatic approaches hold promise for the development of molecular imaging probes. Using this approach, we designed two peptides that showed higher affinity toward VEGFR. These polypeptides may be used as molecular probes or drugs targeting VEGFR, which can be utilized in molecular imaging and targeted therapy of certain tumors.     

Sulforaphane enhances proteasomal and autophagic activities in mice and is a potential therapeutic reagent for Huntington's disease

The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) is impaired in Huntington's disease, a devastating neurodegenerative disorder. Sulforaphane, a naturally occurring compound, has been shown to stimulate UPS activity in cell cultures. To test whether sulforaphane enhances UPS function in vivo, we treated UPS function reporter mice ubiquitously expressing the green fluorescence protein (GFP) fused to a constitutive degradation signal that promotes its rapid degradation in the conditions of a healthy UPS. The modified GFP is termed GFP UPS reporter (GFPu). We found that both GFPu and ubiquitinated protein levels were significantly reduced and the three peptidase activities of the proteasome were increased in the brain and peripheral tissues of the mice. Interestingly, sulforaphane treatment also enhanced autophagy activity in the brain and the liver. To further examine whether sulforaphane promotes mutant huntingtin (mHtt) degradation, we treated Huntington's disease cells with sulforaphane and found that sulforaphane not only enhanced mHtt degradation but also reduced mHtt cytotoxicity. Sulforaphane‐mediated mHtt degradation was mainly through the UPS pathway as the presence of a proteasome inhibitor abolished this effect. Taken together, these data indicate that sulforaphane activates protein degradation machineries in both the brain and peripheral tissues and may be a therapeutic reagent for Huntington's disease and other intractable disorders.

     

家蝇幼虫肠道细菌对其取食选择性和生长发育的影响

目的探究家蝇幼虫肠道细菌对幼虫取食与发育的影响,进而明确肠道细菌的部分功能。方法取3日龄家蝇幼虫,采用细菌传统分离法分离纯化其肠道内可培养细菌并进行分子鉴定,利用这些肠道细菌进行家蝇幼虫爬行选择实验,测定幼虫对不同细菌的选择性;利用这些肠道细菌发酵液与麦麸混合饲养家蝇幼虫,记录家蝇幼虫发育过程中的生物学参数,分别以LB培养原液与麦麸混合饲养的幼虫为阴性对照,以无菌水与麦麸混合饲养的幼虫为空白对照。结果在家蝇幼虫肠道中共分离出9个属10种细菌,分别为霍氏肠杆菌(Enterobacter hormaechei)、肺炎克雷伯菌(Klebsiella pneumoniae)、铜绿假单胞菌(Pseudomonas aeruginosa)、别雷斯不动杆菌(Acinetobacter bereziniae)、斯氏普罗威登斯菌(Providencia stuartii)、阴沟肠杆菌(Enterobacter cloacae)、乳酸乳球菌(Lactococcus lactis)、纺锤形赖氨酸芽胞杆菌(Lysinibacillus fusiformis)、居幼虫普罗威登斯菌(Providencia vermicola)和沙福芽胞杆菌(Bacillus safensis)。其中,除铜绿假单胞菌和斯氏普罗威登斯菌外,其余8种细菌对幼虫有显著吸引作用;除铜绿假单胞菌对家蝇生长有明显抑制作用以外,其余9种细菌对家蝇幼虫生长均有一定的促进作用,其中霍氏肠杆菌和别雷斯不动杆菌对其生长有显著促进作用。结论明确了家蝇幼虫肠道细菌的组成,确定了8种家蝇幼虫肠道细菌对其取食有吸引作用,9种细菌对其生长发育有促进作用。霍氏肠杆菌和别雷斯不动杆菌可作为添加剂用于家蝇的规模化饲养,以提高养殖效率。铜绿假单胞菌可作为生长抑制剂用于家蝇幼虫的防治。     

Design,Synthesis, and Antitumor Activity Evaluation of Trifluoromethyl-Substituted Pyrimidine Derivatives Containing Urea Moiety

Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry - In order to find efficient new antitumor drugs, a series of novel pyrimidine derivatives containing urea moiety were designed and synthesized, and the...     

Electrochemical immunoassay for carcinoembryonic antigen based on signal amplification strategy of nanotubular mesoporous PdCu alloy

Interests in using nanoporous metals for biosensing applications have been increasing. Herein, nanotubular mesoporous PdCu (NM-PdCu) alloy is used to fabricate a novel label-free electrochemical immunosensor for cancer biomarker carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). It operates through physisorption of anti-CEA on NM-PdCu and the mixture of sulfonated graphene sheets (HSO(3)-GS) and thionine (TH) functionalized glassy carbon electrode interface as the detection platform. In this study, chitosan (CS)-PdCu is bound very strongly to carcinoembryonic antibody (anti-CEA), because of the good electron conductivity, high surface area, and good biocompatibility. CS-PdCu is immobilized on electrodes by electrostatic interactions between the negatively charged sulfo group of HSO(3)-GS and the abundant positively charged amino groups of chitosan. TH acts as the redox probe. Under the optimized conditions, the electrochemical immunosensor exhibits a wide working range from 0.01 to 12 ng/mL with a low detection limit of 4.86 pg/mL. The accuracy, reproducibility, and stability of the immunosensor are acceptable. The assay is evaluated for real serum samples, receiving satisfactory results. The nanoporous metal materials-based immunoassay provides a promising approach in clinical application and thus represents a versatile detection method.     

Prevalence and correlations with depression, anxiety, and other features in outpatients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in China: a cross-sectional case control study

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often experience depression and anxiety, but little information is available regarding Chinese patients with these conditions. The present study assessed depression and anxiety in Chinese patients with COPD. METHODS: A case--controlled study was designed with 1100 patients with COPD enrolled in the case group and1100 residents without COPD and respiratory symptoms selected as the control group. Anxiety and depression in both groups were evaluated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The body mass index,degree of airflow obstruction, dyspnea, and exercise capacity (BODE ) index was used to assess COPD severity. Binary logistic regression models were used to test the association between anxiety and depression. RESULTS: The patients with COPD were more likely than controls to experience depression (cases, HADS 10.5 +/- 3.6, prevalence 35.7%; controls, HADS 8.7 +/- 2.7, prevalence 7.2%) and anxiety (cases, HADS 10.4 +/- 3.1, prevalence 18.3%; controls, HADS 8.6 +/- 2.1, prevalence 5.3%). Subjects with anxious and depressive symptoms had poorer health outcomes including a higher BODE index, a shorter 6-minute-walk distance (6MWD), more dyspnea, and a higher St George's respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ) score. The prevalence of anxious and depressive symptoms increased with increasing BODE scores. On the basis of binary logistic regression, the BODE index was significantly correlated with anxiety (OR = 1.47, p < 0.001) and depression (OR = 1.51, p < 0.001). Anxious and depressive symptoms were also associated with several factors including younger age, female sex, higher education level, lower household income and history of smoking. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed the high prevalence of anxiety and depression in Chinese outpatients with COPD. Patients with COPD who had anxiety and/or depression had a poorer health-related quality of life.Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trials Registration(ChiCTR-TRC-12001958).