Inhibition of miR-203 Reduces Spontaneous Recurrent Seizures in Mice

Inhibitory synaptic receptors are dysfunctional in epileptic brains, and agents that selectively target these receptors may be effective for the treatment of epilepsy. MicroRNAs interfere with the translation of target genes, including various synaptic proteins. Here, we show that miR-203 regulates glycine receptor-β (Glrb) in epilepsy models. miR-203 is upregulated in the hippocampus of epileptic mice and human epileptic brains and is predicted to target inhibitory synaptic receptors, including Glrb. In vitro transfection, target gene luciferase assays, and analysis of human samples confirmed the direct inhibition of GLRB by miR-203, and AM203, an antagomir targeting miR-203, reversed the effect of miR-203. When intranasal AM203 was administered, AM203 reached the brain and restored hippocampal GLRB levels in epileptic mice. Finally, intranasal AM203 reduced the epileptic seizure frequency of mice. Overall, this study suggests that GLRB expression in the epileptic brain is controlled by miR-203, and intranasal delivery of AM203 showed therapeutic effects in chronic epilepsy mice.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of peptide-derived TSLP inhibitors

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is a type II cytokine which is associated with most inflammatory allergic disorders in humans. It is produced mainly by epithelial cells with important role in the development of chronic inflammatory diseases by activating T-helper cell type-2 (T_H2) pathways. In this study, a total of 16 peptides were prepared by solid phase peptide synthesis based on amino acid sequences of the interface between TSLP and TSLP receptor. Their TSLP inhibition activities were determined by ELISA assay. Among them, three peptides (6?8) exhibited >50% inhibition at concentration of 0.3 mM. They can be used as hit compounds for developing peptide-based TSLP inhibitors.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds in biochar and biochar‐amended soil: a review

Residual pollutants including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and carbon (aceous) nanoparticles are inevitably generated during the pyrolysis of waste biomass and remain on the solid coproduct called biochar. Such pollutants could have adverse effects on the plant growth as well as microbial community in soil. Although biochar has been proposed as a ‘carbon negative strategy’ to mitigate the greenhouse gas emissions, the impacts of its application with respect to long‐term persistence and bioavailability of hazardous components are not clear. Moreover, the co‐occurrence of low molecular weight VOCs with PAHs in biochar may exert further phytotoxic effects. This review describes the basic need to unravel key mechanisms driving the storage vs. emission of these organics and the dynamics between the sorbent (biochar) and soil microbes. Moreover, there is an urgent need for standardized methods for quantitative analysis of PAHs and VOCs in biochar under environmentally relevant conditions. This review is also extended to cover current research gaps including the influence of biochar application on the short‐ and long‐term fate of PAHs and VOCs and the proper control tactics for biochar quality and associated risk.     

Multimodality Imaging of Bone Marrow–Derived Dendritic Cell Migration and Antitumor Immunity

Here, we sought to monitor bone marrow–derived dendritic cell (BMDC) migration and antitumor effects using a multimodal reporter imaging strategy in living mice. BMDCs were transduced with retroviral vector harboring human sodium iodide symporter (hNIS, nuclear imaging reporter), firefly luc2 (optical imaging reporter), and thy1.1 (surrogate marker of NIS and luc2) genes (BMDC/NF cells). No significant differences in biological functions, including cell proliferation, antigen uptake, phenotype expression, and migration ability, were observed between BMDC and BMDC/NF cells. Combined bioluminescence imaging and I-124 positron emission tomography/computed tomography clearly revealed the migration of BMDC/NF cells to draining popliteal lymph nodes at day 7 postinjection. Interestingly, marked tumor protection was observed in mice immunized with TC-1 lysate-pulsed BMDC/NF cells. Our findings suggested that multimodal reporter gene imaging of NIS and luciferase could provide insights into the biological behaviors of dendritic cells in living organisms and could be a useful tool for the optimization of DC-based immunotherapy protocols.     

抗根肿病大白菜的花药培养

大白菜是中国北方的重要蔬菜之一,根肿病是危害大白菜生产世界性病害,利用花药培养可以大大加速抗根肿病大白菜杂交育种工作的进程。对33份抗根肿病大白菜品种(品系)进行花药培养,有24个品种诱导出胚,品种诱导率为72.7%,以东方皇冠×C11的诱导率最高,为1.86胚/蕾。对大部分基因型来说,在培养基中添加0.4 g/L谷氨酰胺的诱导效果最好。研究还发现生长在温室中的供体植株更容易诱导出胚状体。变绿的子叶型胚转到B5+0.2 mg/L BA+0.1 mg/L NAA+0.1%活性炭的胚分化培养基上可诱导生芽。     

Double-Stranded RNA Mycovirus from Fusarium graminearum

Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) viruses in some fungi are associated with hypovirulence and have been used or proposed as biological control agents. We isolated 7.5-kb dsRNAs from 13 of 286 field strains of Fusarium graminearum isolated from maize in Korea. One of these strains, DK21, was examined in more detail. This strain had pronounced morphological changes, including reduction in mycelial growth, increased pigmentation, reduced virulence towards wheat, and decreased (60-fold) production of trichothecene mycotoxins. The presence or absence of the 7.5-kb dsRNA was correlated with the changes in pathogenicity and morphology. The dsRNA could be transferred to virus-free strains by hyphal fusion, and the recipient strain acquired the virus-associated phenotype of the donor strain. The dsRNA was transmitted to approximately 50% of the conidia, and only colonies resulting from conidia carrying the mycovirus had the virus-associated phenotype. Partial nucleotide sequences of the purified dsRNA identify an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase sequence and an ATP-dependent helicase that are closely related to those of Cryphonectria hypovirus and Barley yellow mosaic virus. Collectively, these results suggest that this dsRNA isolated from F. graminearum encodes traits for hypovirulence.     

Kinetic analysis of ethanol production by an acetate-resistant strain of recombinant Zymomonas mobilis

Zymomonas mobilis ZM4/Ac^R (pZB5), a mutant recombinant strain with increased acetate resistance, has been isolated following electroporation of Z. mobilis ZM4/Ac^R. This mutant strain showed enhanced kinetic characteristics in the presence of 12 g sodium acetate l^–1 at pH 5 in batch culture on 40 g glucose, 40 g xylose l^–1 medium when compared to ZM4 (pZB5). In continuous culture, there was evidence of increased maintenance energy requirements/uncoupling of metabolism for ZM4/Ac^R (pZB5) in the presence of sodium acetate; a result confirmed by analysis of the effect of acetate on other strains of Z. mobilis. Nomenclature m Cell maintenance energy coefficient (g g^–1 h^–1)Maximum overall specific growth rate (1 h^–1)Maximum specific ethanol production rate (g g^–1 h^–1)Maximum specific total sugar utilization rate (g g^–1 h^–1)Biomass yield per mole of ATP (g mole^–1 Ethanol yield on total sugars (g g^–1)Biomass yield on total sugars (g g^–1)True biomass yield on total sugars (g g^–1)     

Hypolipidemic effect of an exo-biopolymer produced from submerged mycelial culture of Auricularia polytricha in rats

The hypolipidemic effect of an exo-biopolymer (EBP) produced from a submerged mycelial culture of the mushroom fungus, Auricularia polytricha, was investigated in the dietary-induced hyperlipidemic rats. In a dose-dependent study, the EBP was fed at 50–100 mg kg^–1 body weight and significantly decreased the concentrations of the plasma triacylglycerols, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. The plasma LDL cholesterol concentration was decreased up to 70%. Production of A. polytricha biomass and EBP were optimal at pH 4 with maximum growth at 20 °C and EBP production at 30 °C. Gel chromatography of the EBP revealed a single peak of a glycoprotein with a molecular size of 32 kDa. It contained 77.5% carbohydrate and 22.5% protein. The sugar and amino acid compositions of the EBP were analyzed.     

肠球菌肽脱甲酰基酶在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中高效表达及其活性检测

肽脱甲酰基酶 (peptidedeformylase ,PDF)存在于所有原核生物中是其生长、代谢、繁殖必不可少的关键酶 ,但不存在于人类与其他哺乳动物细胞内 ,因而被视为新一代广谱抗生素药物筛选的理想靶点。将肠球菌 (Enterococcusfaecium)肽脱甲酰基酶基因连接到高效蛋白表达载体pET 30 A( )中 ,并转入宿主大肠杆菌BL2 1 (DE3)中进行诱导表达。在该基因的诱导表达中 ,采用不同表达条件进行诱导表达 ,最终获得表达效率极高且可溶的肽脱甲酰基酶。从宿主细胞中提取分离该酶 ,并进行酶活性检测 ,诱导表达的肽脱甲酰基酶有很高的酶活性     

森林脑炎病毒森张株5′端非编码区序列测定

为了解森林脑炎病毒森张株5′端非编码区序列与生物特性的关系,从而为疫苗研制打下基础,对其核苷酸序列进行测定。采用RACE法进行RT-PCR扩增,克隆法测序。结果表明：森张株5′-UTR长129nt,与Sofjin-HO、Oshima5-10、Vasilchenko、Neudoerfl、263、Hypr的同源性分别为92％、91％、89％、87％、87％、87％。森张株存在三处特异性变异C18→T、T30→C及49、50连续两个核苷酸缺失。本实验建立了一套相似5′端非编码区序列测定方法;三处特异性变异可能影响到森林脑炎病毒森张株的转录、翻译及核衣壳的形成。