Revealing the Inhibitory Effect of Ginseng on Mitochondrial Respiration through Synaptosomal Proteomics

Ginseng, the active ingredients of which are ginsenosides, is the most popular herbal medicine and has potential merit in the treatment of cerebral disorders. To better understand the function of Ginseng in the cerebral system, we examined changes in the protein expression profiles of synaptosomes extracted from the cerebral cortical and hippocampal tissues of rats administered a high or low dose of Ginseng for 2 weeks. More than 5000 proteins belonging to synaptosomes were simultaneously identified and quantitated by an approach combining tandem mass tags with 2D liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (LC‐MS). Regarding differentially expressed proteins, downregulated proteins were much more highly induced than upregulators in the cerebral cortical and hippocampal synaptosomes, regardless of the dose of Ginseng. Bioinformatic analysis indicated the majority of the altered proteins to be located in the mitochondria, directly or indirectly affecting mitochondrial oxidative respiration. Further functional experiments using the substrate‐uncoupler inhibitor titration approach confirmed that three representative ginsenosides were able to inhibit oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria. Our results demonstrate that Ginseng can regulate the function of mitochondria and alter the energy metabolism of cells, which may be useful for the treatment of central nervous disorders.     

Statistical analysis of the Bacterial Carbohydrate Structure Data Base (BCSDB): Characteristics and diversity of bacterial carbohydrates in comparison with mammalian glycans

Background  

There are considerable differences between bacterial and mammalian glycans. In contrast to most eukaryotic carbohydrates, bacterial glycans are often composed of repeating units with diverse functions ranging from structural reinforcement to adhesion, colonization and camouflage. Since bacterial glycans are typically displayed at the cell surface, they can interact with the environment and, therefore, have significant biomedical importance.     

Cells scaffold complex for Intervertebral disc Anulus Fibrosus tissue engineering: in vitro culture and product analysis

The study was designed to investigate feasibility of tissue culture in vitro utilizing static culture method. Annulus fibrosus cells obtained from spine of rabbits were cultured. Results showed that fibrous tissue infiltration could be detected in shallow layer. With extended time, tissue infiltration depth increased, but there were still a large amount of holes in central part. Fibrous tissue infiltration was detected in the control side products and inner infiltration wasn't obvious. Hydroxyproline content of the control side products gradually increased with extended culture time. Hydroxyproline content of the control side products in the third and fourth month was significantly higher than that in the first month, but lower than those of the experimental side products and normal annulus fibrosus cells. DNA content of the control side products in the third and fourth month was significantly increased compared to the first month. DNA content of the control side products at each phase point was significantly lower than that of the experimental side and normal annulus fibrosus cells. Furthermore, there was lower expression levels of the type I, II collagen mRNA and protein in the experimental side scaffolds compared to the control side product. This study demonstrates the successful formation of Intervertebral disc Anulus Fibrosus in vitro by static culture method.     

Human male recombination maps for individual chromosomes

Meiotic recombination is essential for the segregation of chromosomes and the formation of normal haploid gametes, yet we know very little about the meiotic process in humans. We present the first (to our knowledge) recombination maps for every autosome in the human male obtained by new immunofluorescence techniques followed by centromere-specific multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization in human spermatocytes. The mean frequency of autosomal recombination foci was 49.8+/-4.3, corresponding to a genetic length of 2,490 cM. All autosomal bivalents had at least one recombination focus. In contrast, the XY bivalent had a recombination focus in 73% of nuclei, suggesting that a relatively large proportion of spermatocytes may be at risk for nondisjunction of the XY bivalent or elimination by meiotic arrest. There was a very strong correlation between mean length of the synaptonemal complex (SC) and the number of recombination foci per SC. Each bivalent presented a distinct distribution of recombination foci, but in general, foci were near the distal parts of the chromosome, with repression of foci near the centromere. The position of recombination foci demonstrated positive interference, but, in rare instances, foci were very close to one another.     

GABAergic disinhibition facilitates polysynaptic excitatory transmission in rat anterior cingulate cortex

Various studies implicate the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in processing pain. Combining whole-cell patch clamp recordings in rat ACC slices and a formalin-induced conditioned place avoidance (F-CPA) behavioral model, the present study was to address the effect of GABA(A) receptors on excitatory transmission to ACC layer V neurons and its possible functional significance related to pain. Removal of GABA(A) inhibition by bicuculline (10 microM) induced a novel long-lasting response in layer V neurons, which could be blocked by high divalent extracellular solution and was sensitive to relatively higher rate stimuli. Co-application of NMDA receptor antagonist APV (50 microM) and non-NMDA receptor antagonist DNQX (10 microM) completely blocked the responses. Enhancement of inhibition by intra-ACC microinjection of muscimol abolished the acquisition of F-CPA without affecting formalin-induced acute nociceptive responses. These results suggest that GABA(A) inhibition may be involved in pain-related aversion by modulating glutamate-mediated excitatory transmission in the ACC.     

呼吸机呼气滤器的研制及防护效果评价

为防止呼吸机呼气管道中的含菌气体扩散污染病房空气,引发交叉感染。利用HEPA材料、活性炭、特殊的缓释杀菌滤材,研制成一套呼吸机呼气除菌过滤装置。经参照有关标准用物理模拟气溶胶颗粒(0.28-0.34um)及微生物气溶胶测试,过滤效率>99.995％,微生物气溶胶滤除率达100％。气流阻力<230Pa,完全能满足临床呼气机的过滤除菌使用条件。     

cDNA cloning of an alternative splicing variant of protein kinase C delta (PKC deltaIII), a new truncated form of PKCdelta, in rats

Recently, an alternative splicing variant of mouse protein kinase C delta (PKC deltaII, GenBank Accession No. AB011812) has been reported which has a 78 bp (26 amino acid) insertion at the caspase-3 recognition sequence in the V3 region of PKC delta (PKC deltaI). We isolated a cDNA encoding a new variant of PKC delta (PKC deltaIII, AF219629), which has a 83 bp insertion at the same site in the V3 region, by RT-PCR using rat testis RNA as a template. In rats, the 83 bp insertion causes inframe termination, and rat PKC deltaIII protein is expressed as a truncated form, having only the regulatory domain without a catalytic domain. Genomic DNA analysis revealed that the difference between mouse PKC deltaII and rat PKC deltaIII is derived from the different sequence at the 5'-splicing donor sites. To investigate the potential functions of the truncated form of PKC delta, rat PKC deltaIII fused to green fluorescent protein (GFP) was expressed in CHO-K1 cells. PKC deltaIII-GFP was localized in the cytoplasm with dot-like accumulation and highly expressed on the plasma membrane, whereas PKC deltaI-GFP is localized homogeneously throughout the cytoplasm, including the nucleoplasm. Stimulation by phorbol ester caused weak translocation of deltaIII-GFP from the cytosol to the plasma membrane. These results suggest that PKC deltaIII may show a dominant negative effect against PKC deltaI, and that the modulation of signal transduction by alternative splicing variant may play a crucial role in the physiological and/or pathological conditions, and the pathogenesis of disease.