应用定量微生物风险评估海水浴场人体健康风险

【背景】定量微生物风险评估作为定量评估游泳人群暴露于病原微生物后健康风险的方法,在国外已得到广泛应用,但目前国内的应用处于起步阶段且缺乏所需的游泳人群暴露数据。【目的】收集游泳人群暴露数据,并在海水浴场中进行应用,评估粪大肠菌群作为风险评估指标的可行性。【方法】通过对6个典型海水浴场的水质状况、粪大肠菌群浓度与环境因子的相关性进行分析,并发放调查问卷收集国内游泳人群的暴露数据,进而应用定量微生物风险评估方法,得出各个海水浴场的胃肠道疾病患病风险。【结果】6个海水浴场中粪大肠菌群浓度均与水温、气温及总云量具有显著相关性(P<0.01)。位于南方的海水浴场粪便污染情况较北方严重,粪大肠菌群浓度第95百分位数远高于国内“差”类水质标准的阈值。儿童、成年男性、成年女性单次沐浴事件吞下海水的体积分别为35.1 mL (95%置信区间为32.4-37.8,α=0.578,β=0.016),45.0 mL (95%置信区间为31.1-59.3,α=0.532,β=0.012),35.7 mL (95%置信区间为29.7-41.8,α=0.753,β=0.032)。6个海水浴场患胃肠道疾病的风险...     

Long noncoding RNA lncMREF promotes myogenic differentiation and muscle regeneration by interacting with the Smarca5/p300 complex

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in the spatial and temporal regulation of muscle development and regeneration. Nevertheless, the determination of their biological functions and mechanisms underlying muscle regeneration remains challenging. Here, we identified a lncRNA named lncMREF (lncRNA muscle regeneration enhancement factor) as a conserved positive regulator of muscle regeneration among mice, pigs and humans. Functional studies demonstrated that lncMREF, which is mainly expressed in differentiated muscle satellite cells, promotes myogenic differentiation and muscle regeneration. Mechanistically, lncMREF interacts with Smarca5 to promote chromatin accessibility when muscle satellite cells are activated and start to differentiate, thereby facilitating genomic binding of p300/CBP/H3K27ac to upregulate the expression of myogenic regulators, such as MyoD and cell differentiation. Our results unravel a novel temporal-specific epigenetic regulation during muscle regeneration and reveal that lncMREF/Smarca5-mediated epigenetic programming is responsible for muscle cell differentiation, which provides new insights into the regulatory mechanism of muscle regeneration.     

DAZL regulates proliferation of human primordial germ cells by direct binding to precursor miRNAs and enhances DICER processing activity

Understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms of human primordial germ cells (hPGCs) is essential in studying infertility and germ cell tumorigenesis. Many RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and non-coding RNAs are specifically expressed and functional during hPGC developments. However, the roles and regulatory mechanisms of these RBPs and non-coding RNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), in hPGCs remain elusive. In this study, we reported a new regulatory function of DAZL, a germ cell-specific RBP, in miRNA biogenesis and cell proliferation. First, DAZL co-localized with miRNA let-7a in human PGCs and up-regulated the levels of >100 mature miRNAs, including eight out of nine let-7 family, miR21, miR22, miR125, miR10 and miR199. Purified DAZL directly bound to the loops of precursor miRNAs with sequence specificity of GUU. The binding of DAZL to the precursor miRNA increased the maturation of miRNA by enhancing the cleavage activity of DICER. Furthermore, cell proliferation assay and cell cycle analysis confirmed that DAZL inhibited the proliferation of in vitro PGCs by promoting the maturation of these miRNAs. Evidently, the mature miRNAs up-regulated by DAZL silenced cell proliferation regulators including TRIM71. Moreover, DAZL inhibited germline tumor cell proliferation and teratoma formation. These results demonstrate that DAZL regulates hPGC proliferation by enhancing miRNA processing.     

CircHIPK3 prevents chondrocyte apoptosis and cartilage degradation by sponging miR‐30a‐3p and promoting PON2

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common joint disease featured by the deterioration of articular cartilage and chondrocyte death. Emerging evidence has indicated that circular RNAs (circRNAs) play an essential role in OA progress. Here, we found that the expression of circHIPK3 was significantly decreased in human and mouse OA cartilage. Knocking down circHIPK3 increased apoptosis and intracellular ROS level in HC‐a chondrocytes. We performed proteomic studies and identified that circHIPK3 regulated chondrocyte apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway. Results of JC‐1 staining and western blot further confirmed that mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization was promoted in HC‐a chondrocytes transfected by circHIPK3 siRNA. In terms of mechanism, we showed that PON2 functioned as a potential target of circHIPK3 to regulate chondrocyte apoptosis. Moreover, we revealed that circHIPK3 interacted with miR‐30a‐3p to regulate PON2 expression in chondrocytes. Taken together, our findings suggested that circHIPK3 regulated chondrocyte apoptosis by mitochondrial pathway, and targeting the circHIPK3/miR‐30a‐3p/PON2 axis might be a potential strategy for OA treatment.

The current study revealed the important role of circHIPK3 in regulating chondrocyte apoptosis and maintaining extracellular matrix (ECM) homeostasis. Mechanistically, circHIIPK3 might serve as a sponge of miR‐30a‐3p to regulate PON2 expression. The downregulation of circHIIPK3 resulted in the increased expression of miR‐30a‐3p and decreased expression of PON2, thus leading to mitochondrial pathway apoptosis and ECM destruction.     

A new family of CRISPR‐type V nucleases with C‐rich PAM recognition

Most CRISPR‐type V nucleases are stimulated to cleave double‐stranded (ds) DNA targets by a T‐rich PAM, which restricts their targeting range. Here, we identify and characterize a new family of type V RNA‐guided nuclease, Cas12l, that exclusively recognizes a C‐rich (5''‐CCY‐3′) PAM. The organization of genes within its CRISPR locus is similar to type II‐B CRISPR‐Cas9 systems, but both sequence analysis and functional studies establish it as a new family of type V effector. Biochemical experiments show that Cas12l nucleases function optimally between 37 and 52°C, depending on the ortholog, and preferentially cut supercoiled DNA. Like other type V nucleases, it exhibits collateral nonspecific ssDNA and ssRNA cleavage activity that is triggered by ssDNA or dsDNA target recognition. Finally, we show that one family member, Asp2Cas12l, functions in a heterologous cellular environment, altogether, suggesting that this new group of CRISPR‐associated nucleases may be harnessed as genome editing reagents.     

肠道细菌弗氏柠檬酸杆菌和产酸克雷伯氏菌对斑翅果蝇生长发育和物质代谢的影响

【目的】明确弗氏柠檬酸杆菌Citrobacter freundi和产酸克雷伯氏菌Klebsiella oxytoca两种肠道共生细菌对斑翅果蝇Drosophila suzukii生长发育和物质代谢的影响。【方法】以正常饲养条件下的斑翅果蝇、构建的斑翅果蝇无菌品系以及弗氏柠檬酸杆菌和产酸克雷伯氏菌单一共生菌感染的斑翅果蝇品系为材料,检测不同品系间斑翅果蝇的卵孵化率、3龄幼虫体重和化蛹率;测定不同斑翅果蝇品系3龄幼虫体内蛋白质、氨基酸、糖原和游离脂肪酸等代谢物的含量及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和过氧化物酶(POD)的活力。【结果】正常饲养条件下的斑翅果蝇卵孵化率、3龄幼虫体重、化蛹率及3龄幼虫体内蛋白质的含量均高于其他斑翅果蝇品系,且无菌品系中的最低。弗氏柠檬酸杆菌和产酸克雷伯氏菌感染的斑翅果蝇品系3龄幼虫中的氨基酸和糖原含量均低于斑翅果蝇无菌品系和正常品系。弗氏柠檬酸杆菌感染斑翅果蝇品系3龄幼虫体内游离脂肪酸的含量较其他品系的也降到最低。弗氏柠檬酸杆菌和产酸克雷伯氏菌感染斑翅果蝇品系3龄幼虫体内POD活力显著高于无菌品系和正常品系,而CAT活力显著低于无菌品系。【结论...     

Ginsenoside Rh2 mitigates doxorubicin‐induced cardiotoxicity by inhibiting apoptotic and inflammatory damage and weakening pathological remodelling in breast cancer‐bearing mice

ObjectivesThere are presently a few viable ways to reduce cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin (Dox). The combination of chemotherapy agents with natural compounds delivers greater efficacy and reduces adverse effects in recent researches for cancer treatment. Here, we examined the potential effect of ginsenoside Rh2 on a Dox‐based regimen in chemotherapy treatment.Materials and MethodsHuman breast tumour (MDA‐MB‐231) xenograft nude mice, human cardiac ventricle fibroblasts, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were employed in the present study. Histology, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, western blot, antibody array, and RNA‐sequencing analyses were utilized to assess the protective effect of Rh2 on cardiotoxicity induced by Dox and the underlying mechanisms.ResultsRh2‐reduced cardiotoxicity by inhibiting the cardiac histopathological changes, apoptosis and necrosis, and consequent inflammation. Pathological remodelling was attenuated by reducing fibroblast to myofibroblast transition (FMT) and endothelial–mesenchymal transition (EndMT) in hearts. RNA‐sequencing analysis showed that Dox treatment predominantly targets cell cycle and attachment of microtubules and boosted tumour necrosis, chemokine and interferon‐gamma production, response to cytokine and chemokine, and T cell activation, whereas Rh2 regulated these effects. Intriguingly, Rh2 also attenuated fibrosis via promoting senescence in myofibroblasts and reversing established myofibroblast differentiation in EndMT.ConclusionsRh2 regulates multiple pathways in the Dox‐provoked heart, proposing a potential candidate for cancer supplement and therapy‐associated cardiotoxicity.

Doxorubicin is extensively reported to induce severe cardiotoxicity in clinical applications. Our work proposed a natural herbal compound, ginsenoside Rh2, as a potential candidate for attenuating this side effect. Rh2 significantly inhibited cardiac apoptosis and necrosis, inflammation, and pathological remodelling in Dox‐challenged hearts.     

SARS冠状病毒Nsp14基因的克隆与表达

对SARS冠状病毒的非结构蛋白Nsp14的基因全长进行了克隆表达。根据公布的SARS冠状病毒的非结构蛋白Nsp14的基因序列设计引物,用PCR的方法把该基因从SARS冠状病毒的cDNA片段中扩增出来,经限制性内切酶BamHI与XhoI双酶切后插入到原核表达载体pET30a( )中,建成重组载体pET30a-Exo。重组载体转化大肠杆菌并进行诱导表达,通过原核表达的方法得到了该蛋白。这为该蛋白的进一步研究奠定了基础。     

北京地区红隼的迁徙路线和活动区域

红隼(Falco tinnunculus)被列为国家二级重点保护野生动物,是能同时适应农村和城市环境的小型猛禽,对维持城市生态系统稳定具有重要意义。2022年4月至7月,为在北京救助的7只红隼佩戴了卫星追踪器,追踪其活动轨迹,依据追踪的动物活动位点数据,采用净平方位移-时间曲线依次对各红隼的迁徙模式进行了判别,深入分析了迁徙红隼的迁徙时间、距离和路线等,并采用核心密度法分别计算了迁徙及留居型红隼95%及50%活动区面积。研究结果表明,在北京地区红隼的迁徙模式为部分迁徙,追踪的7只红隼个体(N01 ~ N07)中,4只为留鸟,1只为迁徙鸟,2只居留类型无法准确判断。N01为迁徙红隼,其度夏地和越冬地分别在内蒙古锡林郭勒盟和河北廊坊,此红隼秋季迁徙速度明显高于春季,其春季迁徙距离551 km,历时25 d,平均迁徙速度为22 km/d,而秋季迁徙距离412 km,历时2 d,平均迁徙速度为203 km/d,河北承德滦平县是其春季迁徙的重要中途停歇地。不同红隼个体间95%及50%活动区面积均存在较大差异,迁徙红隼N01 95%、50%活动区面积在度夏区分别为93.10 km²、17.50 km²,在越冬区分别为7.03 km²、0.99 km²;留居型红隼95%、50%活动区面积均值分别为1 165.34 km²、178.71 km²(n = 4),其中最大95%、50%活动区面积分别为4 320.26 km²(N02)、648.22 km²(N02),最小95%、50%活动区面积分别为2.80 km²(N03)、0.29 km²(N03)。本研究揭示了北京地区红隼的迁徙模式、迁徙路线、重要停歇地及活动区状况,为红隼的针对性保护和管理提供了科学依据。