Roles of plasma interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha and FFA and TG in the development of insulin resistance induced by high-fat diet

The role of adipokines in development of insulin resistance still remains controversial. The purpose of the present study was to examine the dynamic changes of fasting plasma levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), free fatty acids (FFA) and insulin in a Sprague-Dawley rat insulin resistant model induced by high-fat diet. Heterotopic deposition of triglycerides (TG) in liver, skeletal muscles and pancreatic islet was also investigated. The fasting plasma level of insulin in rats in the high-fat diet group was significantly higher than that in the normal diet group on day 21 (P<0.01), suggesting that an increased insulin resistance developed in the high-fat diet group. However, no significant difference in the plasma IL-6 level was observed between the two groups (P>0.05), although in both groups, the plasma IL-6 level was significantly higher on day 21 than that of the day 0 (P<0.05). The plasma FFA level in the high-fat diet group began to increase significantly on day 21 (P<0.05), and elevated markedly on day 28, was positively correlated to the fasting plasma insulin level. Histological study revealed a more abundant TG deposition in liver and skeletal muscles (from quadriceps femoris) in the high-fat diet group than in the normal diet group on day 21, and the liver deposition was even higher on day 28. However, no deposition was observed in pancreatic islets. The plasma TNF-alpha level remained unchanged throughout the duration of the experiment. These results indicate that the progression of insulin resistance in high-fat diet rats is closely related to the plasma FFA elevation and the heterotopic deposition of TG in liver and skeletal muscles, but is unrelated to the plasma TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels.     

A High‐Performance Composite Electrode for Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries

A composite electrode composed of reduced graphene oxide‐graphite felt (rGO‐GF) with excellent electrocatalytic redox reversibility toward V²⁺/V³⁺ and VO²⁺/VO₂⁺ redox couples in vanadium batteries was fabricated by a facile hydrothermal method. Compared with the pristine graphite felt (GF) electrode, the rGO‐GF composite electrode possesses abundant oxygen functional groups, high electron conductivity, and outstanding stability. Its corresponding energy efficiency and discharge capacity are significantly increased by 20% and 300%, respectively, at a high current density of 150 mA cm^?2. Moreover, a discharge capacity of 20 A h L^?1 is obtained with a higher voltage efficiency (74.5%) and energy efficiency (72.0%), even at a large current density of 200 mA cm^?2. The prepared rGO‐GF composite electrode holds great promise as a high‐performance electrode for vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB).     

土壤环境中典型抗生素残留及其与微生物互作效应研究进展

抗生素大量不规范使用,其残留对环境和人类健康造成严重威胁。污水灌溉和生物有机肥的施用使土壤成为抗生素的主要归趋地之一,抗生素残留对土壤微生物产生不同程度的影响。首先综述了土壤抗生素污染现状,进一步论述了土壤抗生素残留对抗性基因诱导和微生物群落结构的影响,重点介绍了微生物方法在去除抗生素污染方面的重要作用,并指出了土壤抗生素污染研究中存在的问题,对今后主要研究方向进行展望。     

日本七鳃鳗钙调蛋白分子克隆、组织定位及功能分析

钙调蛋白（calmodulin,CaM）是高度保守的钙离子结合蛋白质,可形成Ca ²⁺-CaM复合体,从而调节细胞代谢以及靶酶的功能。日本七鳃鳗（Lampetra japonica）作为原始的无颌类脊椎动物,对研究脊椎动物分子起源进化及器官发育分化具有重要的研究价值。通过提取日本七鳃鳗髓组织总RNA,利用RT-PCR方法获得日本七鳃鳗CaM（简称Lj-CaM）基因并进行生物信息学分析。将Lj-CaM基因分别构建到原核表达载体pColdⅠ和真核表达载体pEGFP-N1中,利用亲和层析技术纯化得到Lj-CaM蛋白。圆二色谱分析结果表明,Lj-CaM属于典型的α-螺旋结构型蛋白质。免疫印迹和免疫组化结果表明,CaM主要存在于日本七鳃鳗的肠、鳃、髓、肾组织中,在心和肝组织中几乎不表达。细胞免疫荧光结果显示,CaM定位于细胞核中。qPCR和免疫印迹方法检测发现,当293T细胞中Lj-CaM过表达时,对下游靶基因CaMKⅡ作用不明显,但促进PLA2G2A表达。本研究报道了日本七鳃鳗CaM结构、细胞组织定位分布以及基因调控研究,对其结构、分子起源与进化、分子调控及功能方面的研究奠定了基础。     

Genetic Analysis Reveals the Essential Role of Nitrogen Phosphotransferase System Components in Sinorhizobium fredii CCBAU 45436 Symbioses with Soybean and Pigeonpea Plants

The nitrogen phosphotransferase system (PTS^Ntr) consists of EI^Ntr, NPr, and EIIA^Ntr. The active phosphate moiety derived from phosphoenolpyruvate is transferred through EI^Ntr and NPr to EIIA^Ntr. Sinorhizobium fredii can establish a nitrogen-fixing symbiosis with the legume crops soybean (as determinate nodules) and pigeonpea (as indeterminate nodules). In this study, S. fredii strains with mutations in ptsP and ptsO (encoding EI^Ntr and NPr, respectively) formed ineffective nodules on soybeans, while a strain with a ptsN mutation (encoding EIIA^Ntr) was not defective in symbiosis with soybeans. Notable reductions in the numbers of bacteroids within each symbiosome and of poly-β-hydroxybutyrate granules in bacteroids were observed in nodules infected by the ptsP or ptsO mutant strains but not in those infected with the ptsN mutant strain. However, these defects of the ptsP and ptsO mutant strains were recovered in ptsP ptsN and ptsO ptsN double-mutant strains, implying a negative role of unphosphorylated EIIA^Ntr in symbiosis. Moreover, the symbiotic defect of the ptsP mutant was also recovered by expressing EI^Ntr with or without the GAF domain, indicating that the putative glutamine-sensing domain GAF is dispensable in symbiotic interactions. The critical role of PTS^Ntr in symbiosis was also observed when related PTS^Ntr mutant strains of S. fredii were inoculated on pigeonpea plants. Furthermore, nodule occupancy and carbon utilization tests suggested that multiple outputs could be derived from components of PTS^Ntr in addition to the negative role of unphosphorylated EIIA^Ntr.     

微生态制剂联合四联疗法根除幽门螺杆菌的疗效

目的研究微生态制剂联合四联疗法根除幽门螺杆菌(H.pylori)的疗效和患者不良反应发生率。方法选择150例于我院住院并诊断为慢性胃炎且~(14)C呼气试验阳性的患者为研究对象,依据根除H.pylori方案的不同分为A组、B组和C组。A组患者给予泮托拉唑钠肠溶胶囊联合丽珠维三联。B组患者在A组的基础上加用双歧杆菌乳杆菌三联活菌片。C组患者在B组的治疗基础上加用乳果糖口服液。分析3组患者H.pylori根除率、不良反应发生率的差异。结果治疗结束后A组患者H.pylori根除率为70.95%,B组为88.00%,C组为89.47%。B组和C组患者的根除率均高于A组(均P0.05),但B组和C组的根除率比较差异无统计学意义(χ~2=0.047,P=0.829)。A组患者不良反应发生率为22.58%,B组为8.00%,C组为10.53%。B组患者不良反应发生率显著低于A组(χ~2=4.362,P=0.037),但B组与C组比较差异无统计学意义(χ~2=0.167,P=0.683)。结论微生态制剂联合四联疗法能显著提升患者H.pylori的根除率,患者不良反应较少,但益生菌+益生元联合四联疗法与单纯益生菌联合四联疗法相比,未能体现出优势。     

Diagnostic Performance of Interferon-Gamma Releasing Assay in HIV-Infected Patients in China

Background

Active tuberculosis infection represents a very common and significant threat to HIV-infected patients. But measures to accurately detect it are limited.

Objective

To compare and analyze the diagnostic efficacy of T-SPOT.TB alone and in combination with TST in HIV-infected patients in China.

Method

TST (tuberculin skin test) and T-SPOT.TB were performed on 131 HIV-infected patients admitted in Beijing You’an Hospital and Beijing Ditan Hospital between Oct, 2010 and Jul, 2012, who were initially diagnosed as suspected ATB (active TB). The patients were further categorized into ATB and Not ATB based on clinical and cultural evidences. The performance of TST and T-SPOT.TB were analyzed and compared.

Results

The sensitivity and specificity of T-SPOT.TB were 41.3% and 94.6%, respectively, both higher than TST (12.9% and 91.8%). By combining T-SPOT.TB and TST, the sensitivity did not increase, but specificity was elevated to 100%. TST, T-SPOT.TB and their combinations all performed better in patients with extra-pulmonary diseases than with pulmonary disorders. False-positive T-SPOT.TB results were found to be associated with history of prior TB. In addition, concomitant bacterial infections and low CD4 counts were associated with increased ATB risk.

Conclusions

T-SPOT.TB is superior in screening ATB in HIV-infected patients in China over traditional TST. Additional TST would help to confirm a positive T-SPOT.TB result. Both tests work better for patients with extra-pulmonary conditions.     

南昌市中心城区土地集约利用水平对主要大气污染物的影响

当前,我国城市化进程已由外延式的扩张逐步转变为内涵式发展.集约利用土地资源,构建“紧凑城市”变得越来越迫切.然而,集约利用土地意味着更少的土地资源承载更多的城市要素,人们对环境污染,特别是大气环境污染会变得越来越敏感,研究城市土地集约利用水平对大气污染的影响具有重要意义.本研究以南昌市中心城区为研究区,采用普通克里格插值法模拟6种主要大气污染物(PM_2.5、PM₁₀、SO₂、NO₂、CO、O₃)浓度的空间分布,基于土地利用样本区,选择综合容积率、建筑密度、人口密度等16个土地集约利用水平相关变量,采用偏最小二乘回归与通径分析方法,定量分析土地集约利用水平对大气污染物的影响.结果表明: 土地集约利用水平相关变量与PM_2.5和PM₁₀的相关性最强,其次是O₃和NO₂,与SO₂和CO的相关性最弱;不同土地利用样本区土地集约利用水平变量与6类主要大气污染物的相关性强弱依次为:居住区>教育区>商业区>工业区.土地集约利用水平越高,对大气污染物的影响越大,其中PM_2.5与PM₁₀的影响最大,其次是O₃,NO₂的影响较小.各土地利用样本区土地集约利用水平对大气污染物的直接影响、间接影响和综合影响基本相当,但总体而言,土地集约利用水平的直接影响大于间接影响,其中,居住区土地集约利用水平的综合影响最大,其次是商业区,最小的是教育区.本研究为土地集约利用对大气环境的影响研究提供了新的思路,为解决紧凑城市大气环境问题提供了一定的参考.     

Ultrasensitive detection of Shiga toxin 2 and its variants in Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli strains by a time‐resolved fluorescence immunoassay

A rapid and sensitive two‐step time‐resolved fluorescence immunoassay (TRFIA) was developed for the detection of Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2) and its variants in Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains. In sandwich mode, a monoclonal antibody against Stx2 was coated on a microtiter plate as a capture antibody. A tracer antibody against Stx2 labeled with europium(III) (Eu³⁺) chelate was then used as a detector, followed by fluorescence measurements using time‐resolved fluorescence. The sensitivity of Stx2 detection was 0.038 ng/ml (dynamic range, 0.1–1000 ng/ml). The intra‐ and inter‐assay coefficients of variation of the assay were 3.2% and 3.6%, respectively. The performance of the established assay was evaluated using culture supernatants of STEC strains, and the results were compared to those of a common HRP (horseradish peroxidase) labeling immunosorbent assay. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of genes encoding Stx1 and Stx2 was used as the reference for comparison. Correlation between the Stx2‐specific TRFIA and PCR was calculated by the use of kappa statics, exhibiting a perfect level of agreement. The availability of the sensitive and reliable Stx2‐specific TRFIA method for quantifying Stx2 and its variants in STEC strains will complement bacteria isolation‐based platform and aid in the accurate and prompt diagnosis of STEC infections.     

Construction of Flower-specific Chimeric Promoters and Analysis of Their Activities in Transgenic Torenia

Flower-specific promoters can enable transgenic enhancement of valuable ornamental traits, including flower shape and color. However, the identification of strong, tissue-specific promoters remains a limiting factor. To obtain enhanced flower-specific promoters, we constructed four chimeric promoters (p35S-PCHS-Ω, p35S-LCHS-Ω, pOCS-PCHS-Ω and pOCS-LCHS-Ω) combining the 35S or OCS enhancer fused to a 302 bp CHSA core promoter fragment from petunia (PCHS) or a 307 bp CHS core promoter fragment from lily (LCHS), and also containing an omega element (Ω). Each promoter was fused to the β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene, and we examined the levels and tissue specificity of GUS expression in transgenic Torenia fournieri. p35S-PCHS-Ω and p35S-LCHS-Ω drove strong, constitutive GUS expression in all tissues, especially in colored corollas (p35S-PCHS-Ω) or in colored corollas and roots (p35S-LCHS-Ω). pOCS-PCHS-Ω drove stronger GUS expression in colored corollas than in other tissues but expression was weaker than that of p35S-PCHS-Ω. pOCS-LCHS-Ω drove GUS in colored corollas but also in roots. Among the four chimeric promoters, pOCS-PCHS-Ω exhibited stronger activity only in colored corollas, making it useful for transgenic enhancement of floral traits, such as expressing ‘blue genes’ in lily to produce new lines with blue flowers.