Genomic polymorphism of the pandemic A (H1N1) influenza viruses correlates with viral replication, virulence, and pathogenicity in vitro and in vivo

The novel pandemic A (H1N1) virus was first identified in Mexico in April 2009 and quickly spread worldwide. Like all influenzas, the H1N1 strain-specific properties of replication, virulence, and pathogenicity are a result of the particular genomic sequence and concerted expression of multiple genes. Thus, specific mutations may support increased virulence and may be useful as biomarkers of potential threat to human health. We performed comparative genomic analysis of ten strains of the 2009 pandemic A (H1N1) influenza viruses to determine whether genotypes associated with clinical phenotypes, which ranged from mild to severe illness and up to lethal. Virus replication capacity was tested for each strain in vitro using cultured epithelial cells, while virulence and pathogenicity were investigated in vivo using the BALB/c mouse model. The results indicated that A/Sichuan/1/2009 strain had significantly higher replication ability and virulence than the other strains, and five unique non-synonymous mutations were identified in important gene-encoding sequences. These mutations led to amino acid substitutions in HA (L32I), PA (A343T), PB1 (K353R and T566A), and PB2 (T471M), and may be critical molecular determinants for replication, virulence, and pathogenicity. Our results suggested that the replication capacity in vitro and virulence in vivo of the 2009 pandemic A (H1N1) viruses were not associated with the clinical phenotypes. This study offers new insights into the transmission and evolution of the 2009 pandemic A (H1N1) virus.     

The Postnatal Development of the Cerebellum— A fMRI and Silver Study

Summary The aim of this study was to evaluate the postnatal development of the cerebella of the pig and to compare this with the activation of the fMRI. The cells in the cerebella were studied by silver technique and the activation of the fMRI in the cerebella was initiated by flexion and extension of the hind paw. Our results showed an increase of the branching of the cells of the cerebellar cortex postnatally, coordinated with registration of fMRI active sites in the cerebella at 6-month postnatal. We concluded that the full maturation of the cerebella was around 6-month postnatal in the pig.     

Metagenomic analysis of the microbial community at Zodletone Spring (Oklahoma): insights into the genome of a member of the novel candidate division OD1

A metagenomic library was constructed from the anaerobic sediments of a mesophilic sulfur spring. Thirty-five bacterial 16S rRNA gene-containing clones were identified in this library. Analysis of a genomic fragment belonging to candidate division OD1 provided useful insights into the physiology and biochemistry of this novel, yet-uncultured candidate division.     

STAT-3-dependent cytosolic phospholipase A2 expression is required for thrombin-induced vascular smooth muscle cell motility

Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration from media to intima and its multiplication in intima is a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and restenosis after angioplasty. Previously, we have demonstrated that STAT-3-dependent cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)) expression is needed for VSMC motility induced by platelet-derived growth factor-BB, a receptor tyrosine kinase agonist (Neeli et al. (2005) J. Biol. Chem. 279, 46122-46128). In order to learn more about the STAT-3-cPLA(2) axis in motogenic signaling, here we have studied its role in VSMC motility in response to a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) agonist, thrombin. Thrombin induced VSMC motility in a dose-dependent manner with a maximum effect at 0.5 units/ml. Thrombin activated STAT-3 as measured by its tyrosine phosphorylation and translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Forced expression of a dominant negative mutant of STAT-3 reduced thrombin-induced STAT-3 tyrosine phosphorylation and its translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Thrombin stimulated STAT-3-DNA binding and reporter gene activities in VSMC, and these responses were blocked by FS3DM, a dominant negative mutant of STAT-3. FS3DM also attenuated thrombin-induced VSMC motility. Thrombin induced the expression of cPLA(2) in a time- and STAT-3-dependent manner. In addition, pharmacological inhibition of cPLA(2) blocked thrombin-induced VSMC motility. Furthermore, exogenous addition of arachidonic acid rescued thrombin-induced VSMC motility from inhibition by blockade of STAT-3 activation. Forced expression of cPLA(2) also surpassed the inhibitory effect of dominant negative STAT-3 on thrombin-induced VSMC motility. Together, these results show that thrombin-induced VSMC motility requires STAT-3-dependent induction of expression of cPLA(2).     

淹水和干旱条件下水稻根系形成的QTLs及候选基因分析

为了研究不同水分条件下组成型根系性状和适应性根系性状的遗传机制,利用由IR64／Azucena发展的双单倍体（DH）群体分析了淹水和干旱条件下水稻幼苗种子根长（SRL）、不定根数（ARN）、总根干重（RW）及其对应的相对参数（干旱和淹水条件下根系性状的比值）的QTLs。淹水与干旱条件下检测到一个共同的种子根长QTL和一个共同的总根干重QTL。同时对前人发表的遗传群体定位的根系性状QTLs进行比较分析,检测到几个共同的根系性状QTLs。对与细胞伸长、分裂相关的候选基因进行了定位,其中4个细胞壁相关的ESTs（OsEXP2,OsEXP4,EXT和Xet）被定位在与不同水分条件下检测出的根系性状QTLs的相同区间。     

中国毒菌物种多样性及其毒素*

回顾上世纪60年代初,跟随我师王云章教授参与毒菌调查研究时,中国的毒菌仅知80种,中毒类型四种.当时可谓是我国毒菌考察研究的起点,为当今的研究奠定了基础.在王老百岁大寿之际,特将近三十多年收集的标本和有关资料整理并撰写成文,向王老汇报并恭贺生日.     

Pleistocene climatic cycling drives intra‐specific diversification in the intermediate horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus affinis) in Southern China

The repeated formation and loss of land‐bridges during the Pleistocene have had lasting impacts on population genetic structure. In the tropics, where island populations persisted through multiple glacial cycles, alternating periods of isolation and contact are expected to have driven population and taxonomic divergence. Here, we combine mitochondrial and nuclear sequence data with microsatellites to dissect the impact of Pleistocene climate change on intra‐specific diversification in the horseshoe bat Rhinolophus affinis. This taxon shows considerable morphological and acoustic variation: two parapatric subspecies (himalayanus and macrurus) occur on mainland China and a third (hainanus) on Hainan Island. Our phylogeographic reconstruction and coalescent analyses suggest the island subspecies formed from an ancestral population of himalayanus via two colonization events c. 800 000 years before present. R. a. hainanus then recolonized the mainland, forming macrurus and thus a secondary contact zone with himalayanus. Finally, macrurus recolonized Hainan following the LGM. We found that all three biological events corresponded to known periods of land‐bridge formation. Evidence of introgression was detected between macrurus and both its sister taxa, with geographical proximity rather than length of separation appearing to be the biggest determinant of subsequent genetic exchange. Our study highlights the important role of climate‐mediated sea level changes have had in shaping current processes and patterns of population structure and taxonomic diversification.     

两种治疗方案对脑出血病人康复的影响

脑卒中是急性的脑部血液循环障碍造成的局部脑损害,又叫中风或脑血管意外,是现代中老年人健康的重要威胁,脑出血是其中的一种情况。采用由引导放松干预治疗的方法对脑出血患者进行护理干预,通过监测患者的血压、呼吸以及心率变化来判定干预效果,同时通过CT扫描来判定康复效果。干预结果表明：引导放松这种护理干预能够通过有效的稳定患者的收缩压和舒张压促进患者的康复。研究表明引导放松干预治疗对脑卒中病人的治疗具有一定的推广应用价值。     

HMG盒蛋白1抑制巨噬细胞移动抑制因子启动子的转录激活

HMG盒蛋白1（HMG box-containing protein 1, HBP1）是一种转录抑制因子. HBP1表达上调可抑制肿瘤细胞的增殖和转移,并且在肿瘤细胞中HBP1常常发生丢失或转位,这表明HBP1是一种抑癌基因. HBP1所调节的靶基因无疑将为HBP1的肿瘤抑制机制提供新的线索.本研究通过生物信息学分析发现,在促细胞增殖基因 巨噬细胞移动抑制因子（macrophage migration inhibitory factor, MIF）启动子区域-811 bp至-792 bp发现高亲和力的HBP1反应元件.缺失和突变分析表明,HBP1通过该元件抑制MIF启动子活性.此外,免疫共沉淀研究显示,HBP1在细胞内与该元件结合,并且抑制MIF的转录.功能分析进一步证实,在细胞培养液中加入重组MIF可部分消除HBP1对大肠癌细胞LOVO的抑制作用.这些结果提示,MIF是HBP1的一个靶基因.HBP1通过抑制促细胞增殖基因MIF的表达抑制肿瘤细胞生长.