Predisposition to tetraploidy in pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cells derived from the Eker rats

Somatic mutations in the tuberous sclerosis complex-2 (TSC2) gene are associated with pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), a disorder characterized by benign lesions of smooth muscle and/or smooth muscle-like cells in the lung. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying LAM disease are largely unknown. Given that the TSC2 gene product tuberin is involved in the regulation of cell growth and proliferation, the present study was designed to investigate the potential roles of TSC2 in regulation of the cell cycle. We studied cell cycle profiles of pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) derived from Eker rats (Tsc2(+/EK)), a genetic model carrying a germline insertional deletion in one copy of the Tsc2 gene, and the wild-type rats (Tsc2(+/+)), a noncarrier counterpart. We found that Tsc2(+/EK), but not Tsc2(+/+), SMCs displayed increases in cells with > or =4N DNA content (> or =4N cells) and in the bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation of > or =4N cells. Centrosome number was also increased in Tsc2(+/EK) SMCs, but the mitotic index was comparable between Tsc2(+/+) and Tsc2(+/EK) SMCs. Furthermore, Tsc2(+/EK) SMCs showed elevated phosphorylation of p70S6K and increased expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins Cdk1, cyclin B, Cdk2, and cyclin E. Inhibition of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway by rapamycin not only inhibited the phosphorylation of p70(S6K) and the expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins but also reduced accumulation of > or =4N cells and BrdU incorporation of >4N cells. Therefore, our results demonstrate that Tsc2(+/EK) SMCs are predisposed to undergo tetraploidization, involving activation of the mTOR pathway. These findings suggest an important role of Tsc2 in regulation of the cell cycle.     

Cost-Effectiveness of Dapagliflozin versus Acarbose as a Monotherapy in Type 2 Diabetes in China

ObjectiveTo estimate the long-term cost-effectiveness of dapagliflozin versus acarbose as monotherapy in treatment-naïve patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in China.MethodsThe Cardiff Diabetes Model, an economic model designed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of comparator therapies in diabetes was used to simulate disease progression and estimate the long-term effect of treatments on patients. Systematic literature reviews, hospital surveys, meta-analysis and indirect treatment comparison were conducted to obtain model-required patient profiles, clinical data and costs. Health insurance costs (2015¥) were estimated over 40 years from a healthcare payer perspective. Univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed.ResultsThe model predicted that dapagliflozin had lower incidences of cardiovascular events, hypoglycemia and mortality events, was associated with a mean incremental benefit of 0.25 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and with a lower cost of ¥8,439 compared with acarbose. This resulted in a cost saving of ¥33,786 per QALY gained with dapagliflozin. Sensitivity analyses determined that the results are robust.ConclusionDapagliflozin is dominant compared with acarbose as monotherapy for Chinese T2DM patients, with a little QALY gain and lower costs. Dapagliflozin offers a well-tolerated and cost-effective alternative medication for treatment-naive patients in China, and may have a direct impact in reducing the disease burden of T2DM.     

The Pillars of Hercules as a bathymetric barrier to gene flow promoting isolation in a global deep‐sea shark (Centroscymnus coelolepis)

Knowledge of the mechanisms limiting connectivity and gene flow in deep‐sea ecosystems is scarce, especially for deep‐sea sharks. The Portuguese dogfish (Centroscymnus coelolepis) is a globally distributed and near threatened deep‐sea shark. C. coelolepis population structure was studied using 11 nuclear microsatellite markers and a 497‐bp fragment from the mtDNA control region. High levels of genetic homogeneity across the Atlantic (Φ_ST = ?0.0091, F_ST = 0.0024, P > 0.05) were found suggesting one large population unit at this basin. The low levels of genetic divergence between Atlantic and Australia (Φ_ST = 0.0744, P < 0.01; F_ST = 0.0015, P > 0.05) further suggested that this species may be able to maintain some degree of genetic connectivity even across ocean basins. In contrast, sharks from the Mediterranean Sea exhibited marked genetic differentiation from all other localities studied (Φ_ST = 0.3808, F_ST = 0.1149, P < 0.001). This finding suggests that the shallow depth of the Strait of Gibraltar acts as a barrier to dispersal and that isolation and genetic drift may have had an important role shaping the Mediterranean shark population over time. Analyses of life history traits allowed the direct comparison among regions providing a complete characterization of this shark's populations. Sharks from the Mediterranean had markedly smaller adult body size and size at maturity compared to Atlantic and Pacific individuals. Together, these results suggest the existence of an isolated and unique population of C. coelolepis inhabiting the Mediterranean that most likely became separated from the Atlantic in the late Pleistocene.     

鼠李糖乳杆菌-格氏乳杆菌联用对阴道致病菌的抑制作用

目的本文通过提取细菌基因组进行16S rDNA PCR扩增和测序,分析菌株的进化树分支,鉴定一株乳酸菌菌株RD-0060并检测RD-0060与已有菌株RD-0046联用的抑菌能力和细胞粘附能力。方法结合现有菌株RD-0046(格氏乳杆菌,Lactobacillus gasseri),采用牛津杯法研究RD-0060单菌、RD-0060和RD-0046联用抑制致病菌的能力。通过共培养细菌和阴道上皮细胞VK2/E6E7,研究RD-0060单菌和RD-0060/RD-0046二联菌粘附能力。结果 RD-0060为鼠李糖乳杆菌(Lactobacillus rhamnosus),具有抑制阿托波菌、阴道加德纳菌和常见好氧型病菌的功能,对阴道上皮细胞也有较强的粘附能力;RD-0060和RD-0046二联菌的抑菌效果和细胞粘附能力比单菌株更强。结论鼠李糖乳杆菌和格氏乳杆菌联用能显著抑制阴道致病菌生长,并且能够大量粘附阴道细胞,而且两菌株联用有协同效果,具有良好的临床应用和开发前景。     

Host plant genetic control of associated fungal and insect species in a Populus hybrid cross

Plants employ a diverse set of defense mechanisms to mediate interactions with insects and fungi. These relationships can leave lasting impacts on host plant genome structure such as rapid expansion of gene families through tandem duplication. These genomic signatures provide important clues about the complexities of plant/biotic stress interactions and evolution. We used a pseudo‐backcross hybrid family to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling associations between Populus trees and several common Populus diseases and insects. Using whole‐genome sequences from each parent, we identified candidate genes that may mediate these interactions. Candidates were partially validated using mass spectrometry to identify corresponding QTL for defensive compounds. We detected significant QTL for two interacting fungal pathogens and three insects. The QTL intervals contained candidate genes potentially involved in physical and chemical mechanisms of host–plant resistance and susceptibility. In particular, we identified adjoining QTLs for a phenolic glycoside and Phyllocolpa sawfly abundance. There was also significant enrichment of recent tandem duplications in the genomic intervals of the native parent, but not the exotic parent. Tandem gene duplication may be an important mechanism for rapid response to biotic stressors, enabling trees with long juvenile periods to reach maturity despite many coevolving biotic stressors.     

Cx26基因重表达抑制人鼻咽癌细胞系HNE1的恶性增殖

间隙连接蛋白 (Cx)基因在胚胎发育、细胞生长、分化以及细胞内环境的稳定过程中起重要调节作用 .肿瘤发生与Cx基因的表达及功能异常密切相关 ,肿瘤细胞常存在Cx基因表达下调或缺失 .将人Cx2 6基因编码区cDNA序列 ,亚克隆于真核表达载体pcDNA3 1(+) ,采用脂质体转染 ,将重组表达载体pcDNA3 1(+) Cx2 6转入鼻咽癌细胞系HNE1,使Cx2 6基因在HNE1中重表达 ,探讨Cx2 6基因对鼻咽癌细胞系HNE1的生物学功能的影响 .研究结果表明 :Cx2 6基因的重表达 ,抑制HNE1细胞生长 ,细胞周期阻滞于G0 G1期 ,HNE1细胞的克隆形成能力下降 ,裸鼠致瘤能力减弱 .     

HeLa细胞表达分泌重组eGFP—DPF-1在卵母细胞上的定位

将兔输卵管蛋白(DPF-1)基因连结于增强型绿色荧光蛋白(eGFP)基因5′端,构建了真核表达重组质粒(pEGFP-N1／DPF-1),转染HeLa细胞,获得稳定表达分泌融合蛋白eGFP—DPF-1的HeLa细胞株。该融合蛋白呈现的分子量达120KD,提示经翻译后修饰。取兔卵母细胞-卵丘细胞复合物(COC)、去除卵丘细胞后的卵母细胞或输卵管内的卵母细胞,与该株细胞共培养或培养于该株细胞条件培液中,观察兔输卵管蛋白在兔卵母细胞上的分布。结果显示DPF-1大量结合于卵母细胞透明带,先结合于透明带内层,然后维持在内层多外层少的分布状态上;在卵母细胞质膜表面则呈点状均匀分布。DPF-1在卵母细胞上的分布不受其周围颗粒细胞的阻碍,且颗粒细胞上未见有DPF-1结合的痕迹。本实验首次证实体外真核细胞表达分泌的输卵管蛋白能与卵母细胞结合,并借助绿色荧光蛋白作为示踪信号体外直接观察到该表达产物在卵母细胞上的动态分布,为进一步深入分析输卵管蛋白的功能提供了线索,也为研究输卵管内其他蛋白在配子／早胚上定位提供了可行的办法。     

凝胶法生长溶菌酶晶体的研究

凝胶介质可以排除或削弱晶体生长过程中重力引起的对流和沉淀现象,用凝胶法生长生物大分子晶体是一种新的探索。使用类似于悬滴汽相扩散的方法,凝胶中生长出单个较大的外形发育完善且高度对称的鸡蛋清溶菌酶晶体。ＭＰＤ在凝胶中对溶菌酶结晶与溶液中具有相似的抑核作用。排循照像实验表明,凝胶法生长的晶体具有较强的衍射能力。