Environmental cadmium exposure and forearm bone density

Environmental exposure to cadmium may give rise to osteomalacia combined with renal dysfunction, so called 'Itai-Itai disease', which was endemic in the heavily polluted area in Japan. The main focus of this study was to investigate whether environmental exposure to cadmium is associated with low bone mass in a population living near a smelter. A total of 790 persons (302 males and 488 females), who were all over 35 years old and resided in areas near a lead, zinc and cadmium smelter and in a control area in southeast China, completed a questionnaire, and bone mineral density was measured by SPA-4 single photon absorptiometry at the radius and ulna. Cadmium content of urine was determined by graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry as a measure of dose. The present study shows that forearm bone densities were negatively correlated with urinary cadmium excretion (p < 0.001) and forearm bone density decreased linearly with age (p < 0.001) and urinary cadmium (p < 0.01), suggesting a dose-effect relationship between cadmium dose and bone mineral density. Based on the World Health Organization criteria, (bone mineral density < -2.5 SDs below the normal young adult), the prevalence of osteoporosis in women increased from 34.0% in the control area to 51.9% in the heavily polluted area (p < 0.01) among subjects over 50 years old, and the odds ratio value was 2.09 (95% CI: 1.08-4.03) for the highly polluted area compared with the control area. A striking observation in the study was a marked increase of the prevalence of fracture in the cadmium-polluted area in both sexes. It was concluded that environmental exposure to cadmium is associated with an increased loss of bone mineral density in both gender, leading to osteoporosis and increased risk of fractures, especially in the elderly and in females.     

Low resolution structure of subunit b (b (22-156)) of Escherichia coli F(1)F(O) ATP synthase in solution and the b-delta assembly

The first low resolution solution structure of the soluble domain of subunit b (b _22–156) of the Escherichia coli F₁F_O ATPsynthase was determined from small-angle X-ray scattering data. The dimeric protein has a boomerang-like shape with a total length of 16.2 ± 0.3 nm. Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) shows that the protein binds effectively to the subunit δ, confirming their described neighborhood. Using the recombinant C-terminal domain (δ_91–177) of subunit δ and the C-terminal peptides of subunit b, b _120–140 and b _140–156, FCS titration experiments were performed to assign the segments involved in δ–b assembly. These data identify the very C-terminal tail b _140–156 to interact with δ_91–177. The novel 3D structure of this peptide has been determined by NMR spectroscopy. The molecule adopts a stable helix formation in solution with a flexible tail between amino acid 140 to 145.     

Increment of Iodine Content in Vegetable Plants by Applying Iodized Fertilizer and the Residual Characteristics of Iodine in Soil

As a new attempt to control iodine deficiency disorder (IDD), we explored a method of iodine supplementation by raising the iodine content in vegetables. When grown in the soil supplemented with iodized fertilizer, the three experimental plant species (cucumber, aubergine, and radish) show increasing iodine levels in both leaf and fruit/rhizome tissues as the iodine content added in soil increases. Excessive iodine added to soil can be toxic to plants, whereas the tolerance limit to excessive iodine varies in the three plant species tested. The migration and volatilization of iodine in soil is correlated with the properties of the soil used. The residual iodine in soil increases as the iodine added to soil increases. The diatomite in the iodized fertilizer helps to increase the durability of the iodized fertilizer. This study potentially provides a safe and organic iodine supplementation method to control IDD.     

Targeting of polyamidoamine-DNA nanoparticles using the Staudinger ligation: attachment of an RGD motif either before or after complexation

Two new methods for the modular synthesis of targeted gene delivery systems are reported. The PEGylated polyamidoamine DMEDA-PEG-DMEDA-(MBA-DMEDA)(n+1)-PEG-DMEDA 3 was sequentially modified to contain an integrin-binding peptide ligand via the Staudinger ligation. The conjugation of the ligand was achieved either before particle complexation (precomplexation) or after particle complexation (postcomplexation). Comparison of the two systems showed that postcomplexation strategy led to small and discrete toroidal nanoparticles whilst the precomplexation particles showed loose complexes. The targeted particles showed an increased uptake into cells compared to unmodified complexes however no significant increase in transfection was seen.     

Production and characterization of cellulolytic enzymes from the thermoacidophilic fungal Aspergillus terreus M11 under solid-state cultivation of corn stover

The production of extracellular cellulases by a newly isolated thermoacidophilic fungus, Aspergillus terreus M11, on the lignocellulosic materials was studied in solid-state fermentation (SSF). The results showed that the high-level cellulase activity was produced at 45 degrees C pH 3 and moisture 80% with corn stover and 0.8% yeast extract as carbon and nitrogen sources. 581 U endoglucanase activity, 243 U filter paper activity and 128 U beta-glucosidase activity per gram of carbon source were obtained in the optimal condition. Endoglucanase and beta-glucosidase exhibited their maximum activity at pH 2 and pH 3, respectively, and both of them showed remarkable stability in the range of pH 2-5. The activities of endoglucanase and beta-glucosidase were up to the maximum at 70 degrees C and maintained about 65% and 53% of their original activities after incubation at 70 degrees C for 6h. The enzyme preparations from this strain were used to hydrolyze Avicel. Higher hydrolysis yields of Avicel were up to 63% on 5% Avicel (w/v) for 72 h with 20 U FPase/g substrate.     

Differential DNA damage induced by H2O2 and bleomycin in subpopulations of human white blood cells

The purpose of this study was to characterize the differential sensitivities of various subpopulations of human white blood cells after exposure to H2O2 (an oxidant agent) and bleomycin (a radiomimetic glycopeptide), in vitro, using single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE). Human peripheral blood was fractionated into mononuclear cells, which were further separated into monocytes, CD4+ T-cells, CD8+ T-cells, B-cells and natural killer cells (NK cells). The separated fractions were exposed to different doses of H2O2 and bleomycin, and then used to measure levels of induced and basal DNA damage. There was a significant increase in the amount of DNA damage in CD4+ T-cells, CD8+ T-cells, NK cells and B-cells when treated with H2O2 and bleomycin, whereas monocytes had the lowest sensitivity to H2O2 compared with the other cell fractions, but no lower sensitivity to bleomycin. Furthermore, CD4+ T-cells and CD8+ T-cells had the highest levels of basal DNA damage. When basal DNA damage was taken into account, NK cells tended to show a higher sensitivity to H2O2 than CD4+ T-cells, CD8+ T-cells and monocytes. In addition, B-cells, which showed lower sensitivity to H2O2 than CD4+ T-cells, CD8+ T-cells and NK cells when exposed to lower doses of H2O2 (<10 microM), showed higher sensitivity to H2O2 at higher doses (>20 microM). On the other hand, B-cells showed the highest sensitivity to bleomycin.     

基于PC/Linux的核酸序列分析系统的构建及其应用

基于PC机和Linux操作系统, 利用Phred/Phrap/Consed软件和Blast软件, 构建了核酸序列大规模自动分析系统. 该套系统可自动完成从测序峰图向核酸序列的转化、载体序列去除、序列自动拼接、重复序列鉴定以及序列的相似性分析, 可加速对大规模测序数据的分析和利用.     

盐胁迫对4树种叶片中K^＋和Na^＋的影响及其耐盐能力的评价

通过盆栽试验,对我国南方银杏（Ginkgo biloba L.)、侧柏[Patycladus orentalis(L.)Franco]、火炬松（Pinus taeda L.)和剌槐(Robinia Pseudoacacia L.)4造林树种苗木叶片中K^ 、N^ 浓度浓度和N^ ／K^ 比进行测定,盐处理水平为0.0％（CK）、0.1%、0.3%和0.5％。随着盐浓度的提高,各树种叶片中Na^ 浓度和N^ ／K^ 有逐渐升高的趋势,但K^ 浓度变化较小;随着盐胁迫时间的推移,各树种叶片中Na^ 、K^ 浓度和Na^ /K^ 比都没有明显的变化规律。方差分析和多层比较表明,侧柏、火炬松和剌槐叶片中Na^ 、K^ 浓度和N^ ／K^ 比在4组处理间的差异均达显著或极显著水平。4树种中剌槐和侧柏的耐盐能力最强,银杏次之,火炬松最弱。     

Laboratory and field evaluations of extracts from Rhododendron molle flowers as insect growth regulator to imported cabbage worm, Pieris rapae L. (Lepidoptera:Pieridae)

The insect growth regulating properties of rhodojaponin-III (Abbr. R-III) and ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract from Rhododendron molle G. Don flowers against imported cabbage worm, Pieris rapae L., were determined under laboratory and field conditions. The values of IC₅₀ (the median of concentration for inhibiting weight increase) for R-III and EtOAc extract were 6.78 p.p.m. and 70.29 p.p.m. against 3rd instar larvae and 13.72 p.p.m. and 346.00 p.p.m. against 5th instar larvae, respectively. R-III and EtOAc extract also could reduce pupating rate, pupal weight, emergence rate and extend the duration of development. Thus development of insects was inhibited significantly and development index decreased. R-III would be superior to toosendanin as insect growth regulator. EtOAc extract 1000 p.p.m. mixture with molosultap 500 p.p.m. could achieve an effective control rate of 87.34% against P. rapae in field trials when adjusted cumulative insect-days were used as index.     

Identification and Characterization of Alcohol-related Hepatocellular Carcinoma Prognostic Subtypes based on an Integrative N6-methyladenosine methylation Model

Background: Alcohol consumption increases the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and associated with a high mortality rate and poor prognosis. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylations play key roles in tumorigenesis and progression. However, our current knowledge about m6A in alcohol-related HCC (A-HCC) remains elucidated. Herein, the authors construct an integrative m6A model based on A-HCC subtyping and mechanism exploration workflow.Methods: Based on the m6A expressions of A-HCC and in vivo experiment, different prognosis risk A-HCC subtypes are identified. Meanwhile, multiple interdependent indicators of prognosis including patient survival rate, clinical pathological prognosis and immunotherapy sensitivity.Results: The m6A model includes LRPPRC, YTHDF2, KIAA14219, and RBM15B, classified A-HCC patients into high/low-risk subtypes. The high-risk subtype compared to the low-risk subtype showed phenotypic malignancy, poor prognosis, immunosuppression, and activation of tumorigenesis and proliferation-related pathways, including the E2F target, DNA repair, and mTORC1 signalling pathways. The expression of Immunosuppressive cytokines DNMT1/EZH2 was up-regulated in A-HCC patients, and teniposide may be a potential therapeutic drug for A-HCC.Conclusion: Our model redefined A-HCC prognosis risk, identified potential m6As linking tumour progress and immune regulations and selected possible therapy target, thus promoting understanding and clinical applications about A-HCC.