Mutations in C2orf37, Encoding a Nucleolar Protein, Cause Hypogonadism, Alopecia, Diabetes Mellitus, Mental Retardation, and Extrapyramidal Syndrome

Hypogonadism, alopecia, diabetes mellitus, mental retardation, and extrapyramidal syndrome (also referenced as Woodhouse-Sakati syndrome) is a rare autosomal recessive multisystemic disorder. We have identified a founder mutation consisting of a single base-pair deletion in C2orf37 in eight families of Saudi origin. Three other loss-of-function mutations were subsequently discovered in patients of different ethnicities. The gene encodes a nucleolar protein of unknown function, and the cellular phenotype observed in patient lymphoblasts implicates a role for the nucleolus in the pathogenesis of this disease. Our findings expand the list of human disorders linked to the nucleolus and further highlight the developmental and/or maintenance functions of this organelle.     

Changes in proteomics profile during maturation of marrow-derived dendritic cells treated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein

Increasing evidence suggests that dendritic cells (DCs) and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) participate in atherosclerosis. However, few data on the molecular mechanisms of this process are available. To address this question, we used iTRAQ labeling followed by LC-MS/MS analysis to identify many proteins that changed markedly during the maturation of dendritic cells stimulated with ox-LDL. Among a total of 781 identified proteins, 93 were upregulated and 100 were downregulated. The major and significant changes in upregulated proteins were that ox-LDL not only affected the levels of intracellular cathepsins G, Z, D and S, but also significantly enhanced cathepsin S secretion by the treated cells. Our results may provide clues for a more comprehensive understanding the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.     

The application of fluorescence spectroscopy to organic matter characterisation in drinking water treatment

Key to effective disinfection byproduct (DBP) management is source water control and management, and more specifically, organic matter (OM) control and management. However, the content and character of OM in source waters is spatially and temporally variable, and the prediction of its composition is challenging. Water treatment companies require adequate analytical techniques for OM characterisation to maintain the operation of the water supply and treatment systems adjusted to constantly changing environmental conditions. There is a requirement, therefore, for an improved understanding of OM composition and character in source water, how that composition and character varies with flow conditions, and how this impacts on drinking water treatment. This paper demonstrates that fluorescence spectroscopy offers a potential alternative to other analytical methods of OM characterisation. The advantages of fluorescence include rapid, sensitive and selective characterisation of OM, no sample pre-treatment, small sample volume, and the potential for on-line monitoring incorporation. Fluorescence can provide useful information on OM reactivity and treatability together with an indication of the OM sources (allochthonous or autochthonous). The paper discusses a body of literature which has identified relationships between fluorescence spectra and OM physico-chemical properties (i.e. degree of hydrophobicity, microbial content), has applied fluorescence spectroscopy to characterise the changes in OM upon disinfection, and has related the fluorescence properties to DBP formation. Further work is required in the robust management of data arising from fluorescence spectroscopy analysis and, in particular, Excitation Emission Matrices. Consideration must be given as to how the data might best be employed to greatest effect on a routine basis at WTW.     

红树林植物瓶花木中的细胞毒活性成分(Ⅱ)

从红树林树植物瓶花木(Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea Gaertn. f.)的乙醇提取物中分离得到5个化合物,通过波谱分析,鉴定其结构分别为:shanzhigenin methyl ester (1)、1-epishanzhigenin methyl ester (2)、山柰酚 (3)、芹菜素 (4)和 5,7,2'-trihydroxy-3,6,8,4',5'-pentamethoxyflavone (5)。以上化合物均为首次从瓶花木中分离得到。细胞毒活性测试结果表明,化合物1和2的混合物对人肝癌细胞(SMMC-7721)的增殖有较强的生长抑制活性。     

腺苷酸激酶与AMP信号在感知及维持机体能量中的作用

腺苷酸激酶（AK）是催化各种腺嘌呤核苷酸相互转化的一种磷酸转移酶,其在维持细胞能量平衡中起着重要的作用。AK有七种亚型,在线粒体、胞浆、细胞核之间的能量转移和分布中起着至关重要的作用。细胞内、细胞外和血液中的AMP水平是机体能量感知、睡眠、冬眠和食物摄取的代谢信号。高于或低于正常水平的AMP信号与人类疾病相关。AK及其下游的AMP信号组成了一个完整的代谢监测系统,通过检测细胞能量状态变化,从而调整对代谢感受器传递的信号。详细阐述了AK和AMP在感知及维持机体能量中的作用。     

鞘内联合给予米诺环素和IL-6的中和抗体对脊神经结扎模型所引起的热痛敏的镇痛作用

目的:研究鞘内联合给予米诺环素和IL-6的中和抗体在大鼠脊神经结扎(spinal nerve ligation,SNL)模型所引起的神经病理性痛中的镇痛作用.方法:建立大鼠SNL模型,分别在手术前和手术后鞘内给予米诺环素100 μg、在手术后鞘内给予IL-6的中和抗体0.03 μg、手术后鞘内联合给予两种药物,观察给药3天各组大鼠热刺激的缩足反应潜伏期(paw withdrawal latencies,PWL).结果:①SNL手术前后给予米诺环素都可以提高大鼠的PWL(P＜0.05),但SNL手术前给药对大鼠PWL的提升明显高于手术后给药(P＜0.05).②手术后给予IL-6的中和抗体可以有效提升SNL组的PWL(P＜0.05),但是还是比给予生理盐水的假手术组大鼠的PWL明显减少(P＜0.05).③手术后联合给予两种药物可以明显逆转SNL组的PWL(P＜0.05).④联合给药对大鼠PWL的提高明显高于SNL手术后给予米诺环素组和给予IL-6的中和抗体组(P＜0.05),但与手术前给予米诺环素组的PWL相比无明显差异(P＞0.05).结论:鞘内联合给予米诺环素和IL-6的中和抗体对SNL引起的神经病理性痛有明显的镇痛作用.     

重金属累积对泽兰实蝇幼虫生长发育和保护酶的影响

为了弄清重金属通过寄主植物紫茎泽兰累积后对专性寄生天敌泽兰实蝇的生理影响,采用模拟Cd~(2+)、Pb~(2+)或Zn~(2+)污染的土壤培养法胁迫紫茎泽兰,让泽兰实蝇低龄幼虫寄生取食,利用原子吸收分光光度法测定泽兰实蝇老熟幼虫中Cd~(2+)、Pb~(2+)或Zn~(2+)的含量,同时测定分析泽兰实蝇老熟幼虫的体长、鲜重、能量物质和保护酶的变化。结果表明,实验处理的Cd~(2+)、Pb~(2+)或Zn~(2+)均可通过紫茎泽兰传递并累积到泽兰实蝇老熟幼虫体内,引起老熟幼虫一系列生理变化:长度和鲜重降低;总糖、总蛋白和总脂的含量降低,相应的热量值也降低;超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)等保护酶的活性降低。本研究为进一步阐明重金属污染对食物链各环节的影响提供了重要的理论依据。