Effects of 1.8 GHz radiofrequency field on DNA damage and expression of heat shock protein 70 in human lens epithelial cells

To investigate the DNA damage, expression of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) and cell proliferation of human lens epithelial cells (hLEC) after exposure to the 1.8 GHz radiofrequency field (RF) of a global system for mobile communications (GSM). An Xc-1800 RF exposure system was used to employ a GSM signal at 1.8 GHz (217 Hz amplitude-modulated) with the output power in the specific absorption rate (SAR) of 1, 2 and 3 W/kg. After 2 h exposure to RF, the DNA damage of hLEC was accessed by comet assay at five different incubation times: 0, 30, 60, 120 and 240 min, respectively. Western blot and RT-PCR were used to determine the expression of Hsp70 in hLECs after RF exposure. The proliferation rate of cells was evaluated by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation on days 0, 1 and 4 after exposure. The results show that the difference of DNA-breaks between the exposed and sham-exposed (control) groups induced by 1 and 2 W/kg irradiation were not significant at any incubation time point (P > 0.05). The DNA damage caused by 3 W/kg irradiation was significantly increased at the times of 0 and 30 min after exposure (P < 0.05), a phenomenon that could not be seen at the time points of 60, 120 or 240 min (P > 0.05). Detectable mRNA as well as protein expression of Hsp70 was found in all groups. Exposure at SARs of 2 and 3 W/kg for 2 h exhibited significantly increased Hsp70 protein expression (P < 0.05), while no change in Hsp70 mRNA expression could be found in any of the groups (P > 0.05). No difference of the cell proliferation rate between the sham-exposed and exposed cells was found at any exposure dose tested (P > 0.05). The results indicate that exposure to non-thermal dosages of RF for wireless communications can induce no or repairable DNA damage and the increased Hsp70 protein expression in hLECs occurred without change in the cell proliferation rate. The non-thermal stress response of Hsp70 protein increase to RF exposure might be involved in protecting hLEC from DNA damage and maintaining the cellular capacity for proliferation.     

三倍体毛白杨不同组织内生细菌多样性分析

【背景】三倍体毛白杨非常适合黄河区域生态经济发展,是我国林业推广项目的重要树种。内生细菌在三倍体毛白杨不同组织中广泛存在,对三倍体毛白杨具有防病、促生、固氮和生物修复等生物学作用。【目的】通过分析三倍体毛白杨不同组织内生细菌多样性,可以充分挖掘其蕴含的丰富微生物资源。【方法】以北京林业大学山东冠县毛白杨基地的三倍体毛白杨为材料,应用16S rRNA基因高通量测序技术对其根、茎、叶中内生细菌多样性进行了分析,阐述三倍体毛白杨不同组织内生细菌多样性的变化趋势和规律,为其内生细菌的进一步应用奠定理论基础。【结果】三倍体毛白杨根部内生细菌群落丰富度及多样性最高,叶片中最低。高通量测序结果显示,在全部样本中,假单胞菌门和放线菌门为优势门,伯克氏菌属(Burkholderia)、假诺卡氏菌属(Pseudonocardia)和食酸菌属(Acidovorax)为优势属,不同组织的内生细菌群落结构组成差异显著;16S rRNA基因功能预测结果显示,三倍体毛白杨内生细菌的功能主要涉及氨基酸代谢、维生素代谢、芳香族化合物降解和糖酵解等。通过分离培养共获得217株内生细菌,分属于23个属44个种,其中有4株1...     

西藏米拉山土壤古茵16S rRNA及amoA基因多样性分析

[目的]本研究旨在了解西藏米拉山高寒草甸土壤中古菌及氨氧化古菌群落结构组成情况.[方法]采用未培养技术直接从土壤中提取微生物总DNA,分别利用通用引物构建古菌16S rRNA基因和氨氧化古菌amoA基因克隆文库.利用DOTUR软件将古菌和氨氧化古菌序列按照相似性97%的标准分成若干个可操作分类单元(OTUs).[结果]通过构建系统发育树,表明古菌16s rRNA基因克隆文库包括泉古菌门和未分类的古菌两大类,并且所有泉古菌均属于热变形菌纲.氨氧化古菌amoA基因克隆文库中序列均为泉古菌.古菌16s rRNA基因和古菌amoA基因克隆文库分别包括64个OTUs和75个OTUs.[结论]西藏米拉山高寒草甸土壤中古菌多样性比较丰富,表明古菌在高寒草甸土壤的氮循环中可能具有重要的作用.     

Crystal Structure of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Human</Emphasis> ASB9-2 and Substrate-Recognition of CKB

Human ankyrin repeat and suppressor of cytokine signaling box protein 9 (hASB9) is a specific substrate-recognition subunit of an elongin C-cullin-SOCS box E3 ubiquitin ligase complex. It recognizes its substrate, brain type creatine kinase (CKB), using the ankyrin repeat domain; and facilitates the polyubiquitination of CKB to mediate proteasomal degradation through the SOCS box domain. HASB9-2 is an isoform of hASB9 that contains one ankyrin repeat domain. In this study, the crystal structure of hASB9-2 is shown at 2.2-Å resolution using molecular replacement. Overall, hASB9-2 forms a slightly curved arch with a characteristic L-shaped cross-section. Amino acid substitution analysis based on docking experiments revealed that His103 and Phe107 in hASB9-2 are essential for binding to CKB. Analysis of truncation mutants demonstrated that the first six ankyrin repeats along with the N-terminal region of hASB9-2 contribute to the interaction with CKB.     

The ER Stress-Mediated Mitochondrial Apoptotic Pathway and MAPKs Modulate Tachypacing-Induced Apoptosis in HL-1 Atrial Myocytes

ConclusionsOur study suggested tachypacing-induced apoptosis is regulated by ER stress-mediated MAP and MAPKs. Thus, the above three components are all promising anti-apoptotic targets in AF patients and ER stress appears to play a dominant role due to its comprehensive effects.     

Neurogenin3 Activation Is Not Sufficient to Direct Duct-to-Beta Cell Transdifferentiation in the Adult Pancreas

It remains controversial whether adult pancreatic ducts harbor facultative beta cell progenitors. Because neurogenin3 (Ngn3) is a key determinant of pancreatic endocrine cell neogenesis during embryogenesis, many studies have also relied upon Ngn3 expression as evidence of beta cell neogenesis in adults. Recently, however, Ngn3 as a marker of adult beta cell neogenesis has been called into question by reports of Ngn3 expression in fully-developed beta cells. Nevertheless, direct evidence as to whether Ngn3 activation in adult pancreatic duct cells may lead to duct-to-beta cell transdifferentiation is lacking. Here we studied two models of Ngn3 activation in adult pancreatic duct cells (low-dose alloxan treatment and pancreatic duct ligation) and lineage-traced Ngn3-activated duct cells by labeling them through intraductal infusion with a cell-tagging dye, CFDA-SE No dye-labeled beta cells were found during the follow-up in either model, suggesting that activation of Ngn3 in duct cells is not sufficient to direct their transdifferentiation into beta cells. Therefore, Ngn3 activation in duct cells is not a signature for adult beta cell neogenesis.     

绿头鸭IFN-α的可溶性表达及其活性分析

为了利用原核表达系统研制有生物活性的鸭IFN-α。以pMD18T-Ma IFN-α为模板扩增绿头鸭IFN-α成熟肽基因,将其克隆至原核表达载体pET-32 a中,在大肠杆菌BL21中进行变温诱导表达。SDS-PAGE分析表达结果,并用Western blotting进行验证。Ni2+树脂柱纯化目的蛋白后,测定其生物活性。结果表明,重组pET-32a(+)-Ma IFN-α在大肠杆菌BL21成功表达,主要以可溶性形式存在,Western blotting分析显示目的蛋白具有良好的抗原性。细胞病变抑制法测定重组鸭IFN-α的抗病毒活性约为8×104U/m L;荧光定量PCR方法检测显示表达的重组鸭IFN-α使NDV在DEF上的复制受到了明显的抑制,48 h时间点相对抑制率高达91%。这些都表明表达的重组鸭IFN-α具有良好抗病毒活性。     

Anal HPV infection in HIV-positive men who have sex with men from China

Background

Anal HPV infection, which contributes to the development of anal warts and anal cancer, is well known to be common among men who have sex with men (MSM), especially among those HIV positives. However, HIV and anal HPV co-infection among MSM has not been addressed in China.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Beijing and Tianjin, China. Study participants were recruited using multiple methods with the collaboration of local volunteer organizations. Blood and anal swabs were collected for HIV-1 serological test and HPV genotyping.

Results

A total of 602 MSM were recruited and laboratory data were available for 578 of them (96.0%). HIV and anal HPV prevalence were 8.5% and 62.1%, respectively. And 48 MSM (8.3%) were found to be co-infected. The HPV genotypes identified most frequently were HPV06 (19.6%), HPV16 (13.0%), HPV52 (8.5%) and HPV11 (7.6%). Different modes of HPV genotypes distribution were observed with respect to HIV status. A strong dose-response relationship was found between HIV seropositivity and multiplicity of HPV genotypes (p<0.001), which is consistent with the observation that anal HPV infection was an independent predictor for HIV infection.

Conclusions

A high prevalence of HIV and anal HPV co-infection was observed in the MSM community in Beijing and Tianjin, China. Anal HPV infection was found to be independently associated with increased HIV seropositivity, which suggests the application of HPV vaccine might be a potential strategy to reduce the acquisition of HIV infection though controlling the prevalence of HPV.