A new species of Metaeuchromius (Lepidoptera,Crambidae) from the Tibetan glacier area of China

Metaeuchromius glacialis Li, sp. n. is described from the Tibetan glacier area of China. The new species is similar to Metaeuchromius circe Bleszynski by the distal projection of costa exceeding the apex of valva, and the phallus with strong spine-like cornuti in the male genitalia. Images of male adult, tympanal and scent organs as well as genitalia of the new species are provided.     

Direct evidence of mitochondrial G-quadruplex DNA by using fluorescent anti-cancer agents

G-quadruplex (G4) is a promising target for anti-cancer treatment. In this paper, we provide the first evidence supporting the presence of G4 in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of live cells. The molecular engineering of a fluorescent G4 ligand, 3,6-bis(1-methyl-4-vinylpyridinium) carbazole diiodide (BMVC), can change its major cellular localization from the nucleus to the mitochondria in cancer cells, while remaining primarily in the cytoplasm of normal cells. A number of BMVC derivatives with sufficient mitochondrial uptake can induce cancer cell death without damaging normal cells. Fluorescence studies of these anti-cancer agents in live cells and in isolated mitochondria from HeLa cells have demonstrated that their major target is mtDNA. In this study, we use fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy to verify the existence of mtDNA G4s in live cells. Bioactivity studies indicate that interactions between these anti-cancer agents and mtDNA G4 can suppress mitochondrial gene expression. This work underlines the importance of fluorescence in the monitoring of drug-target interactions in cells and illustrates the emerging development of drugs in which mtDNA G4 is the primary target.     

Endobronchial Ultrasound Changed the World of Lung Cancer Patients: A 11-Year Institutional Experience

Objectives

The role of advanced bronchoscopic diagnostic techniques in the detection and staging of lung cancer has increased sharply in recent years. The development of endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) improved minimally invasive mediastinal staging and diagnosis of peripheral lung lesions (PLLs). We investigated the impact of using EBUS as a diagnostic method for tissue acquisition in lung cancer patients.

Methods

In a single center observational retrospective study, 3712 subjects were diagnosed with lung cancer from 2003 to 2013 (EBUS was introduced in 2008). Thus, we divided the data into two periods: the conventional bronchoscopy period (2003 to 2007) and the EBUS period (2008 to 2013).

Results

A total of 3712 patients were included in the analysis. Comparing the conventional bronchoscopy period with the EBUS period data, there has been a significant reduction in the use of diagnostic modalities: CT-guided biopsy (P < 0.0001) and pleural effusion cytology (P < 0.0001). The proportion of subjects diagnosed using bronchoscopy significantly increased from 39.4% in the conventional period to 47.4% in the EBUS period (P < 0.0001). In the EBUS period, there has also been a significant increase in the proportion of patients proceeding directly to diagnostic surgery (P < 0.0001). Compared to bronchoscopy, the incidence of complications was higher in those who underwent CT guide biopsy. The incidence of iatrogenic pneumothorax significantly decreased in the EBUS period.

Conclusions

Advanced bronchoscopic techniques are widely used in the diagnosis of lung cancer. At our institution, the increasing use of EBUS for providing lung cancer diagnosis has led to a significant reduction in other diagnostic modalities, namely CT-guided biopsy and pleural effusion cytology. These changes in practice also led to a reduction in the incidence of complications.     

Ocean Warming–Acidification Synergism Undermines Dissolved Organic Matter Assembly

Understanding the influence of synergisms on natural processes is a critical step toward determining the full-extent of anthropogenic stressors. As carbon emissions continue unabated, two major stressors—warming and acidification—threaten marine systems on several scales. Here, we report that a moderate temperature increase (from 30^°C to 32^°C) is sufficient to slow— even hinder—the ability of dissolved organic matter, a major carbon pool, to self-assemble to form marine microgels, which contribute to the particulate organic matter pool. Moreover, acidification lowers the temperature threshold at which we observe our results. These findings carry implications for the marine carbon cycle, as self-assembled marine microgels generate an estimated global seawater budget of ~10¹⁶ g C. We used laser scattering spectroscopy to test the influence of temperature and pH on spontaneous marine gel assembly. The results of independent experiments revealed that at a particular point, both pH and temperature block microgel formation (32^°C, pH 8.2), and disperse existing gels (35^°C). We then tested the hypothesis that temperature and pH have a synergistic influence on marine gel dispersion. We found that the dispersion temperature decreases concurrently with pH: from 32^°C at pH 8.2, to 28^°C at pH 7.5. If our laboratory observations can be extrapolated to complex marine environments, our results suggest that a warming–acidification synergism can decrease carbon and nutrient fluxes, disturbing marine trophic and trace element cycles, at rates faster than projected.     

Preparation and characterization of nanoparticles shelled with chitosan for oral insulin delivery

Nanoparticles (NPs) composed of chitosan (CS) and poly(gamma-glutamic acid) (gamma-PGA) were prepared by a simple ionic-gelation method for oral insulin delivery. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra indicated that CS and gamma-PGA were ionized at pH 2.5-6.6, while X-ray diffractograms demonstrated that the crystal structure of CS was disrupted after it was combined with gamma-PGA. The diameters of the prepared NPs were in the range of 110-150 nm with a negative or positive surface charge, depending on the relative concentrations of CS to gamma-PGA used. The NPs with a positive surface charge (or shelled with CS) could transiently open the tight junctions between Caco-2 cells and thus increased the paracellular permeability. After loading of insulin, the NPs remained spherical and the insulin release profiles were significantly affected by their stability in distinct pH environments. The in vivo results clearly indicated that the insulin-loaded NPs could effectively reduce the blood glucose level in a diabetic rat model.     

中国卡拉草螟属研究及一新种和一新纪录种记述(鳞翅目,草螟科,草螟亚科)(英文)

报道7种中国卡拉草螟属Culladia昆虫,包括新种郑氏卡拉草螟Culladia zhengi sp.nov.和中国新纪录种齿线卡拉草螟C.dentilinealis Hampson,1919。文中提供了新种和新纪录种的成虫和外生殖器图,给出了中国该属已知种的名录和检索表。研究标本保存在南开大学生命科学学院昆虫标本室。郑氏卡拉草螟,新种Culladia zhengi sp.nov.(图1,3,5)新种的雄性与刺突卡拉草螟Culladia hastiferalis(Walker,1865)相似,但是该种抱器背基突中部有1枚小刺,阳茎无微刺状角状器;雌性外生殖器交配囊与囊导管的界限不明显且无囊突。刺突卡拉草螟抱器背基突无小刺,阳茎末端有多枚微刺状角状器;囊导管与交配囊的界限显著,且交配囊有1枚条纹状囊突。正模♂,香港大帽山,海拔700m,2007-04-13,李后魂等采,外生殖器玻片号LWC08414。副模:7♂♂,1♀,采集信息同正模;2♀♀,香港嘉道理农场,海拔210m,2007-04-13,2009-09-20,李后魂等采;1♂,广西上思平龙山,海拔510m,2002-04-06,郝淑莲、薛怀君采;1♂,海南尖峰岭,海拔940m,2007-06-06,张志伟、李卫春采;1♂,1♀,海南五指山,海拔640~650m,2007-05-15~21,张志伟、李卫春采;1♀,海南吊罗山,海拔300m,2008-08-14,胡冰冰、张利采;1♂,云南瑞丽珍惜植物园,海拔1000m,2005-08-06,任应党采。词源:新种种名以著名昆虫学家郑哲民教授的姓氏命名。     

Mechanisms of signal transduction in photo-stimulated secretion in Phaeocystis globosa

Phaeocystis globosa, a leading agent in marine carbon cycling, releases its photosynthesized biopolymers via regulated exocytosis. Release is elicited by blue light and relayed by a characteristic cytosolic Ca(2+) signal. However, the source of Ca(2+) in these cells has not been established. The present studies indicate that Phaeocystis' secretory granules work as an intracellular Ca(2+) oscillator. Optical tomography reveals that photo-stimulation induces InsP(3)-triggered periodic lumenal [Ca(2+)] oscillations in the granule and corresponding out-of-phase cytosolic oscillations of [Ca(2+)] that trigger exocytosis. This Ca(2+) dynamics results from an interplay between the intragranular polyanionic matrix, and two Ca(2+)-sensitive ion channels located on the granule membrane: an InsP(3)-receptor-Ca(2+) channel, and an apamin-sensitive K(+) channel.     

ATP-independent luminal oscillations and release of Ca2+ and H+ from mast cell secretory granules: implications for signal transduction

InsP(3) is an important link in the intracellular information network. Previous observations show that activation of InsP(3)-receptor channels on the granular membrane can turn secretory granules into Ca(2+) oscillators that deliver periodic trains of Ca(2+) release to the cytosol (T. Nguyen, W. C. Chin, and P. Verdugo, 1998, Nature, 395:908-912; I. Quesada, W. C. Chin, J. Steed, P. Campos-Bedolla, and P. Verdugo, 2001, BIOPHYS: J. 80:2133-2139). Here we show that InsP(3) can also turn mast cell granules into proton oscillators. InsP(3)-induced intralumenal [H(+)] oscillations are ATP-independent, result from H(+)/K(+) exchange in the heparin matrix, and produce perigranular pH oscillations with the same frequency. These perigranular pH oscillations are in-phase with intralumenal [H(+)] but out-of-phase with the corresponding perigranular [Ca(2+)] oscillations. The low pH of the secretory compartment has critical implications in a broad range of intracellular processes. However, the association of proton release with InsP(3)-induced Ca(2+) signals, their similar periodic nature, and the sensitivity of important exocytic proteins to the joint action of Ca(2+) and pH strongly suggests that granules might encode a combined Ca(2+)/H(+) intracellular signal. A H(+)/Ca(2+) signal could significantly increase the specificity of the information sent by the granule by transmitting two frequency encoded messages targeted exclusively to proteins like calmodulin, annexins, or syncollin that are crucial for exocytosis and require specific combinations of [Ca(2+)] "and" pH for their action.