绣球菌降血糖作用及活性成分分析

绣球菌是一种珍稀食药用真菌,本文对其醇提取物的降血糖作用及活性成分进行了研究。高脂高糖饲料联合链脲佐菌素造模建立了II型糖尿病小鼠模型,设置空白对照组、模型组、绣球菌提取物高、中、低3个剂量组（300、200和100mg/kg）,连续给予相应药物3周,对各组小鼠的体重、血糖、血脂和胰腺进行组织病理学研究。结果显示：与模型组相比,中高剂量绣球菌提取物组小鼠的体重增长减慢,绣球菌各剂量组小鼠血糖和胆固醇水平下降。根据病理学观察,经绣球菌提取物各剂量组处理后,小鼠胰岛细胞形态、数量和分布均显著改善,进一步证明了以上结果。利用UPLC-Triple-TOF/MS对绣球菌醇提物中的活性物质进行定性分析,从中鉴定出10种化合物,其中几种可能参与了机体糖代谢和脂肪代谢。研究结果为绣球菌的开发提供了理论依据和技术支持。     

子宫内膜癌组织残疾基因同源物2、核连蛋白-2、黏蛋白4的表达及与预后的关系研究

目的:研究子宫内膜癌组织残疾基因同源物2(DAB2)、核连蛋白-2(nucleobindin-2)、黏蛋白4(MUC4)的表达及与预后的关系。方法:将我院从2015年1月2017年1月收治的子宫内膜癌患者82例纳入研究。分别采集所有患者的子宫内膜癌组织以及癌旁正常组织,以免疫组化法检测不同子宫内膜组织中的DAB2、nucleobindin-2、MUC4表达情况并进行对比。分析子宫内膜癌组织DAB2、nucleobindin-2、MUC4阳性率与临床病理特征的关系。此外,通过Kaplan-Merier生存曲线分析上述蛋白表达与预后的关系,并以Cox比例风险回归模型分析子宫内膜癌患者预后的影响因素。结果:子宫内膜癌组织DAB2阳性率低于癌旁正常组织,而nucleobindin-2、MUC4阳性率均高于癌旁正常组织(均P<0.05)。TNM分期ⅢⅣ期、淋巴结转移子宫内膜癌患者的DAB2阳性率低于TNM分期ⅠⅡ期、无淋巴结转移患者,而nucleobindin-2、MUC4阳性率均高于TNM分期ⅠⅡ期、无淋巴结转移患者(均P<0.05)。所有患者均进行时长360个月的随访,中位随访时间为31个月,至随访结束,DAB2蛋白阳性患者的无进展生存率分别为66.67%(20/30),明显高于DAB2蛋白阴性患者的19.23%(10/52);而nucleobindin-2、MUC4蛋白阳性患者的无进展生存率分别为22.95%(14/61)、24.56%(14/57),明显低于nucleobindin-2、MUC4蛋白阴性患者的76.19%(16/21)、64.00%(16/25),差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05)。Cox比例风险回归模型分析结果可得:TNM分期、淋巴结转移以及DAB2蛋白阴性、nucleobindin-2蛋白阳性、MUC4蛋白阳性均是子宫内膜癌患者预后的影响因素(均P<0.05)。结论:子宫内膜癌组织DAB2存在异常低表达,而nucleobindin-2、MUC4均存在异常高表达,联合检测上述三项蛋白表达情况可能有助于子宫内膜癌的诊断和预后评估。     

用于白蚁防治的联苯菊酯微胶囊的制备及性能研究

针对白蚁防治药剂联苯菊酯传统加工剂型存在的安全性差、持效期短等缺点,采用溶剂蒸发法制备联苯菊酯微胶囊.通过粒径大小、外观形貌、包封率以及载药量筛选出最佳芯壁比、乳化剂用量和剪切时间,并对微胶囊理化特性及释放性能进行表征,同时考察微胶囊对白蚁的杀灭效果和持效性.研究结果表明,芯壁比为1:1.5,乳化剂用量为7％,剪切时间为6 min时制备的联苯菊酯微胶囊粒径适中(97.6μm),包封率高达70.5％,缓释性能良好,与市售乳油相比,对白蚁的杀灭效果相当,但持效性能优异.该研究获得的联苯菊酯微胶囊为安全、高效防治白蚁提供了技术手段.     

基于CRISPR/Cas9基因编辑技术的本科教学实验体系的创建与实践

CRISPR/Cas9是新兴的基因编辑技术,在生命科学研究中发挥着重要的作用。将它引入本科生的实验教学,使本科生了解这项前沿科研技术很有意义。我们创建了一个基于CRISPR/ Cas9技术的本科教学实验体系。该实验体系侧重CRISPR/Cas9技术在哺乳动物细胞中的应用,选用一株基因组上被插入mCherry基因的小鼠胚胎成纤维细胞为实验材料,命名为STO-82。首先设计靶向mCherry的sgRNA,构建CRISPR-Cas9/sgRNA共表达质粒。经测序验证无误后,转染到STO-82细胞。采用流式细胞仪分析检测mCherry阴性和阳性两群细胞,分选出阴性单细胞并扩大培养。最后用测序检验单克隆细胞中靶标DNA序列的编辑情况。结果显示,靶位点有插入或缺失突变,说明体系创建成功。该实验体系将sgRNA设计、CRISPR-Cas9/sgRNA共表达质粒的构建、细胞转染、单细胞分选、单克隆细胞培养、测序序列分析等内容融合为一个综合实验,用于高年级本科生的实验教学。根据实际情况,将教学实践内容分解分块教学,也可以做完整性项目教学。本教学实践采用10人左右的小班分块教学,2人一组,经过3个班（共13组）的实践,绝大部分学生都能完成实验,得到预期结果。通过这个实验,学生加深了对CRISPR/Cas9技术的原理和实验流程的理解,锻炼了实验操作能力和严谨的科研思维,也使学生对该技术的医疗应用风险有了一些认识。     

超声引导下硬膜外阻滞在老年髋关节置换手术中的应用

目的:探讨超声引导下硬膜外阻滞在老年髋关节置换手术中的应用方法与效果。方法:2017年6月至2020年5月选择在本院进行髋关节置换手术的老年患者112例,根据随机数字表法把患者分为研究组与对照组,各56例。研究组给予超声引导下硬膜外阻滞,对照组给予传统的静脉持续镇痛。两组都给予全麻诱导与维持,记录镇痛效果与患者术后康复情况。结果:两组的性别、年龄、麻醉时间、手术时间与术中出血量等对比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),研究组的术后住院时间显著短于对照组(P<0.05)。两组术后1 d、3 d、7 d的疼痛视觉模拟评分法(Visual Analogue Scale/Score,VAS)评分都低于术前1 d,观察组也都显著低于对照组,对比差异都有统计学意义(P<0.05)。研究组术后1 d、3 d、7 d的髋关节活动度都显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。研究组术后1 d、3 d、7 d的血清P物质(Substance P,SP)、前列腺素E2(Prostaglandin E2,PGE2)含量都高于术前1 d,观察组低于对照组,对比差异都有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:超声引导下硬膜外阻滞在老年髋关节置换手术中的应用能抑制血清SP、PGE2的释放,能缓解患者术后疼痛,促进髋关节功能的恢复,缩短患者的康复时间。     

Community-directed distributors—The “foot soldiers” in the fight to control and eliminate neglected tropical diseases

The neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) affect hundreds of millions of people, predominantly in rural, often difficult-to-access areas, poorly served by national health services. Here, we review the contributions of 4.8 million community-directed distributors (CDDs) of medicines over 2 decades in 146,000 communities in 27 sub-Saharan African countries to control or eliminate onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis (LF). We examine their role in the control of other NTDs, malaria, HIV/AIDS interventions, immunisation campaigns, and support to overstretched health service personnel. We are of the opinion that CDDs as community selected, trained, and experienced “foot soldiers,” some of whom were involved in the Ebola outbreak responses at the community level in Liberia, if retrained, can assist community leaders and support health workers (HWs) in the ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis. The review highlights the improved treatment coverage where there are women CDDs, the benefits and lessons from the work of CDDs, their long-term engagement, and the challenges they face in healthcare delivery. It underscores the value of utilising the CDD model for strong community engagement and recommends the model, with some review, to hasten the achievement of the NTD 2030 goal and assist the health system cope with evolving epidemics and other challenges. We propose that, based on the unprecedented progress made in the control of NTDs directly linked to community engagement and contributions of CDDs “foot soldiers,” they deserve regional and global recognition. We also suggest that the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international stakeholders promote policy and guidance for countries to adapt this model for the elimination of NTDs and to strengthen national health services. This will enhance the accomplishment of some Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 in sub-Saharan Africa.     

Experimental artificial cultivation of corals from colony fragments

In 2010–2011, experimental commercial cultivation of 14 species of hermatypic corals was carried out using the method of donor colony fragmentation. The transplants successfully survived on experimental frame installations. The coral colonies that were recovered from the fragments became attached to the frame installations in a similar way to their attachment on natural substrata. After 1 year, the size of the trans-plants was found to have increased by 275%. The newly formed artificial coral community was colonized by the damselfish Dascyllus reticulates (Pomacentridae); the species is a common coral fish species that lives on natural reefs.     

生物化学教学中采用案例教学法之案例设计与分析

案例教学法是被普遍采用的一种教学方式,将其应用于生物化学教学中,并用图解的形式给出案例的归纳与分析,使抽象难懂、错综复杂、生涩冷僻的教学内容变得直观明了。加深了学生对教学内容的理解,增强了课堂教学的趣味性与学生学习的主动性,同时提高了学生分析问题和解决问题的能力。     

Host plant relationships of an endangered butterfly, Lopinga achine (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) in northern Europe

The aim of the present study was to evaluate—in a geographic perspective—the role of host plant as a determinant of habitat quality for Lopinga achine, a satyrine butterfly endangered over much of its European range. Laboratory trials were performed to record host choices made by the ovipositing females as well as by neonate larvae. In rearing experiments, growth performance and mortality on different host plants was determined. Oviposition was found to be indiscriminate but larvae were shown to be able to choose between host plants, with the choices made broadly consistent with growth performance of the larvae on particular hosts. Nevertheless, most grasses and sedges offered were found to support larval development reasonably well. No clear superiority of the previously suggested primary host plant Carex montana could be shown. Importantly, no differences in host plant relationships were found between the populations of Sweden, western Estonia and eastern Estonia. In particular, the larvae originating from eastern Estonian populations developed on C. montana equally well even if the plant is absent from their native habitat. In the context of species conservation, one should conclude that L. achine is polyphagous enough on various grasses and sedges so that the presence of any particular host species cannot be a critical component of habitat quality. Nevertheless, some preference to broad- and soft-leaved hosts, as well as sensitivity to host wilting, may partly explain the butterfly’s preference to moist forest habitats, further emphasizing the central role of habitat management in the conservation practice of this species. In turn, the absence of ecological differences between geographic populations should enable conservationists to successful transfer their experience across national boundaries.     

Serum and Lymphocytic Neurotrophins Profiles in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: a Case-Control Study

Background

Neurotrophins play a central role in the development and maintenance of the nervous system. However, neurotrophins can also modulate B and T cell proliferation and activation, especially via autocrine loops. We hypothesized that both serum and lymphocytic neurotrophin levels may be deregulated in systemic Lupus erythematosus (SLE) and may reflect clinical symptoms of the disease.

Methods

Neurotrophins in the serum (ELISA tests) and lymphocytes (flow cytometry) were measured in 26 SLE patients and 26 control subjects. Th1 (interferon-γ) and Th2 (IL-10) profiles and serum concentration of BAFF were assessed by ELISA in the SLE and control subjects.

Findings

We have demonstrated that both NGF and BDNF serum levels are higher in SLE patients than healthy controls (p=0.003 and p<0.001), independently of Th1 or Th2 profiles. Enhanced serum NT-3 levels (p=0.003) were only found in severe lupus flares (i.e. SLEDAI ≥ 10) and significantly correlated with complement activation (decreased CH 50, Γ=-0.28, p=0.03). Furthermore, there was a negative correlation between serum NGF levels and the number of circulating T regulatory cells (Γ=0.48, p=0.01). In circulating B cells, production of both NGF and BDNF was greater in SLE patients than in healthy controls. In particular, the number of NGF-secreting B cells correlated with decreased complement levels (p=0.05). One month after SLE flare treatment, BDNF levels decreased; in contrast, NGF and NT-3 levels remained unchanged.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that serum and B cell levels of both NGF and BDNF are increased in SLE, suggesting that the neurotrophin production pathway is deregulated in this disease. These results must be confirmed in a larger study with naive SLE patients, in order to avoid the potential confounding influence of prior immune-modulating treatments on neurotrophin levels.