Host species diversity and post-blood feeding carbohydrate availability enhance survival of females and fecundity in Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae)

Aedes albopictus mosquito is an opportunistic blood feeder and has a broad host range. The feeding behavior and habits of this mosquito are liable to increase the transmission potential of arboviruses. The survival and fecundity in A. albopictus fed on different hosts and post-blood meal provision of sugar were investigated in a laboratory-reared colony. Adult survival of caged female A. albopictus that were fed on blood of two different hosts (double meal) was higher than the females fed only on one host (single meal) (mean survival: 70.2 ± 9.6 vs. 55.5 ± 5.5%, respectively) when held in the laboratory for 72 h after blood feeding. Mean survival of females provided 10% sucrose solution (in water) after a single or double blood meal was higher (90.5 ± 6.4% and 89.3 ± 6.5%, respectively) than in the respective groups receiving water only following blood feeding (double meal: 49.0 ± 9.6%; single meal: 45.3 ± 10.9%). Females receiving a double meal were more fecund on average (89.0 ± 6.6 eggs) than females provided a single meal (82.3 ± 8.2 eggs).     

A strong root-specific expression system for stable transgene expression in bread wheat

Key message

A strong, stable and root-specific expression system was developed from a rice root-specific GLYCINE - RICH PROTEIN 7 promoter for use as an enabling technology for genetic manipulation of wheat root traits.

Abstract

Root systems play an important role in wheat productivity. Genetic manipulation of wheat root traits often requires a root-specific or root-predominant expression system as an essential enabling technology. In this study, we investigated promoters from rice root-specific or root-predominant expressed genes for development of a root expression system in bread wheat. Transient expression analysis using a GREEN FLUORESCENT PROTEIN (GFP) reporter gene driven by rice promoters identified six promoters that were strongly expressed in wheat roots. Extensive organ specificity analysis of three rice promoters in transgenic wheat revealed that the promoter of rice GLYCINE-RICH PROTEIN 7 (OsGRP7) gene conferred a root-specific expression pattern in wheat. Strong GFP fluorescence in the seminal and branch roots of wheat expressing GFP reporter driven by the OsGRP7 promoter was detected in epidermal, cortical and endodermal cells in mature parts of the root. The GFP reporter driven by the promoter of rice METALLOTHIONEIN-LIKE PROTEIN 1 (OsMTL1) gene was mainly expressed in the roots with essentially no expression in the leaf, stem or seed. However, it was also expressed in floral organs including glume, lemma, palea and awn. In contrast, strong expression of rice RCg2 promoter-driven GFP was found in many tissues. The GFP expression driven by these three rice promoters was stable in transgenic wheat plants through three generations (T1–T3) examined. These data suggest that the OsGRP7 promoter can provide a strong, stable and root-specific expression system for use as an enabling technology for genetic manipulation of wheat root traits.

     

Microtubule and microfilament distribution and tubulin content in the cell cycle of Indian muntjac cells

Using DAPI, rabbit antitubulin antibody, FITC-labeled goat anti-rabbit IgG, and TRITC-phalloidin to stain individual cells, the microspectrophotometric analysis showed that three markers that represent the nucleus, microtubules (MT), and microfilaments (MF), respectively, could be recognized in individual cells without interference. The phase of the cell cycle was determined by DNA content. We found that in Indian muntjac (IM) cells, the amount of tubulin in G2 and M phases was about twice as much as that in G1 phase. In G2 cells, the cytoplasmic microtubule complex (CMTC) became denser than in G1 cells. The cytoplasmic MT extent in basically the same orientation as MF bundles in interphase. The regions where the MT is denser also have a denser MF distribution.     

甘肃、青海花尺蛾亚科新种记述(鳞翅目：尺蛾科)

甘肃、青海花尺蛾亚科新种记述（鳞翅目：尺蛾科）薛大勇（中国科学院动物研究所北京１０００８０）孟锋（甘肃省永登县连城实验林场７３０３３３）本文记述采自青海东北部至甘肃境内祁连山地区的三个花尺蛾亚科新种,模式标本保存在中国科学院动物研究所。１．邻库尺峨Ｋ...     

伤寒沙门菌非编码RNA617的分子鉴定及其对生物膜形成的影响研究

本研究旨在探讨伤寒沙门菌(Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi, S. Typhi)中非编码RNA617(non-coding RNA617,ncRNA617)的分子特性,并研究其对生物膜形成的影响及作用机制。采用Northern blot方法检测ncRNA617的表达,通过cDNA 5’末端快速扩增技术(5’-rapid amplification of cDNA end,5’RACE)和逆转录-聚合酶链式反应(reverse transcriotion-polymerase chain reaction,3’RT-PCR)实验分析ncRNA617可能的转录起始位点和终止位点;构建ncRNA617缺陷菌株、回补菌株和过表达菌株等相关菌株,通过生物膜形成实验,观察ncRNA617对伤寒沙门菌生物膜形成的影响,并用实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应(quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction,qPCR)分析生物膜形成相关基因表达水平的变化,综合运用生物信息学方法预测ncRNA617和差异基因的结合区域,初步分析ncRNA617发挥调控作用的机制。结果显示,伤寒沙门菌确有ncRNA617的表达,长度约300 nt,其转录起始位点位于mig-14终止密码子下游967 nt处,终止位点位于t2681起始密码子上游 2 378～2 560 nt处。与野生对照菌株相比,ncRNA617缺陷菌株生物膜形成能力增强(P<0.05),回补菌株的生物膜形成能力恢复至野生菌株水平,过表达菌株的生物膜形成能力有所下降(P<0.05)。qPCR结果表明,ncRNA617可负向调控多个生物膜形成相关基因的转录表达水平(P<0.05)。经生物信息学方法预测发现,ncRNA617与差异基因有不同的结合区域。本研究结果提示,ncRNA617在伤寒沙门菌中存在,其长度约270～452 nt。ncRNA617可能通过靶向结合生物膜形成相关基因下调基因表达,从而负向调控伤寒沙门菌生物膜的生成。     

孕妇肠道微生物组成与孕妇及新生儿糖脂代谢相关性研究

目的研究孕妇肠道微生物组成与孕妇以及新生儿糖脂代谢的相关性。方法选择2017年6月至2018年9月在大连市妇幼保健院定期产检的诊断为妊娠期糖尿病(GDM)的孕妇89例为GDM组,血糖正常孕妇96例为对照组。收集孕妇一般资料,孕妇和新生儿糖脂代谢物、孕妇粪便进行微生物检测。结果 GDM组孕妇空腹血糖、甘油三酯明显高于对照组,高密度脂蛋白水平明显低于对照组(均P<0.05)。GDM新生儿脂联素和血糖明显低于对照组,胰岛素和糖化血红蛋白明显高于对照组(均P<0.05)。对照组孕妇肠道微生物中拟杆菌(Bacteroides)丰富度最高(36.6%),其次是普雷沃菌(Prevotella)(15.3%)、柔嫩梭菌(Faecalibacterium)(10.2%)、考拉杆菌(Phascolarctobacterium)(7.2%)。GDM组孕妇肠道微生物中拟杆菌(Bacteroides)丰富度最高(29.4%),其次是柔嫩梭菌(Faecalibacterium)(19.7%)、普雷沃菌(Prevotella)(11.1%)、考拉杆菌(Phascolarctobacterium)(9.3%)。柔嫩梭菌(Faecalibacterium)与孕妇空腹血糖呈正相关(r=0.377 6,P=0.027 6),拟杆菌(Bacteroides)、埃希菌(Escherichia)与孕妇甘油三酯呈负相关(r=-0.027 5,-0.585 8,P=0.023 7,0.041 3)。柔嫩梭菌(Faecalibacterium)与新生儿空腹血糖呈负相关(r=-0.397 6,P=0.027 6)。结论 GDM孕妇肠道微生物构成与血糖正常孕妇不同,菌群丰富度和多样性较低,并且孕妇肠道菌群与其及新生儿的糖脂代谢相关,调节孕妇肠道菌群或有利于改善其与新生儿的糖脂代谢功能。     

Expression of Tumor-Associated Macrophage in Progression of Human Glioma

The aim of this study is to investigate the expression of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) M1, M2 phenotypic in human glioma tissues, and to explore the clinical significance and prognostic value of TAMs in glioma patients. A total of 50 glioma samples were obtained from patients diagnosed in our hospital from 2007 to 2010. Clinical follow-up was conducted via return visits and telephone interviews after discharge. Progression free survival (PFS) was calculated based on tumor progression by MRI and CT examination from the primary operation. Overall survival (OS) time was calculated from the initial surgical operation date to end date of follow-up or death. Kaplan–Meier methodology was used to evaluate the survival of patients and log-rank test for comparing differences between groups. The expression levels of CD16 and CD206 were investigated in the 4 μm serial paraffin sections by immunohistochemistry. M1-type macrophages filtrated in all the grades of glioma samples, and the lower expression level was associated with high grade glioma. A negative correlation was found between WHO pathological grades and the expression of M1-type macrophages by Spearman correlation analysis. M2-type macrophages filtrated in all the grades of glioma samples with the higher expression level associated with high grade glioma. A positive correlation was found between WHO pathological grades and the expression of M2-type macrophages by Spearman correlation analysis. The PFS and OS among patients with high levels of M1-type macrophages (CD16+++) were significantly higher than those with less expression. The PFS and OS among patients with high levels of M2-type macrophages (CD206+++) were significantly lower than those with low expression. M1-type macrophages may inhibit the tumor growth and improve the therapeutic outcome of glioma patients. M2 ratios are associated with tumor proliferation and poor prognosis. TAMs phenotypes of glioma samples are the potential biomarkers in assessing the degree of malignancy, tumor invasion, and patient prognosis in clinic.     

Blockage of MDM2-mediated p53 ubiquitination by yuanhuacine restrains the carcinogenesis of prostate carcinoma cells by suppressing LncRNA LINC00665

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a challenging issue for men's health worldwide due to its uncontrolled proliferation and high metastatic potential. Increasing evidence has supported plant extracts and natural plant derivatives as promising antitumor therapy with less toxic side effects. Yuanhuacine is an active component isolated from Daphne genkwa and can effectively suppress the tumorigenesis of several cancers. However, its role in PCa remains unclear. In this study, yuanhuacine dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation and induced apoptosis of PCa cells. Moreover, yuanhuacine also restrained the invasion and migration of PCa cells. Mechanically, yuanhuacine decreased the ubiquitination and degradation of p53 protein, and ultimately increased p53 levels, which was regulated by inhibiting the phosphorylation and total protein levels of mouse double minute 2 (MDM2). Moreover, elevation of MDM2 reversed the suppressive efficacy of yuanhuacine in PCa cell viability, invasion, and migration. The network pharmacologic and bioinformatics analysis confirmed that MDM2 might be a common target of D. genkwa and LINC00665. Furthermore, yuanhuacine inhibited LINC00665 expression. Upregulation of LINC00665 reversed yuanhuacine-mediated inhibition in MDM2 protein expression and suppressed p53 levels by enhancing its ubiquitination in yuanhuacine-treated cells. Importantly, the inhibitory effects of yuanhuacine on cell viability and metastatic potential were offset after LINC00665 elevation. Together, the current findings highlight that yuanhuacine may possess tumor-suppressive efficacy by inhibiting LINC00665-mediated MDM2/p53 ubiquitination signaling. Therefore, this study indicates that yuanhuacine may be a promising candidate for the treatment of PCa.