Association between polymorphisms in the promoter region of interleukin-10 and susceptibility to inflammatory bowel disease

The aim of this study was to assess the association of polymorphisms in the promoter region of the IL-10 gene with the risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Fifteen studies (3,693 cases and 4,574 controls) were included in a meta-analysis of association between IL-10 ?1082G/A, ?819C/T and ?592C/A polymorphisms, and IBD, CD and UC using allele contrast and the recessive, dominant, and additive models. Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium was confirmed for each study. Heterogeneity and study quality were investigated using stratification analyses and sensitivity analyses. Polymorphism ?1082G/A showed significant association with CD, with odds ratios (ORs) for the GG + GA genotype and GG versus AA genotype of 1.278 (1.004–1.627) and 1.238 (1.027–1.492) in all subjects. Significant associations were found in the Caucasian subgroup using the allele contrast, dominant, and additive models. C-allele carriers of the ?819C/T polymorphism were at increased risk of IBD (OR 1.093, 95 % CI 1.004–1.190). Association with the ?819C/T polymorphism was also found in Caucasians with CD (C vs. T: OR 1.104, 95 % CI 1.010–1.206; CC + CT vs. TT: OR 1.328, 95 % CI 1.006–1.754; CC vs. TT: OR 1.339, 95 % CI 1.008–1.778), and with UC (CC vs. CT + TT: OR 1.188, 95 % CI 1.019–1.385). No significant association was found between the ?592C/A polymorphism and IBD, CD or UC. In conclusion, the meta-analysis demonstrated clear association between the IL-10 polymorphisms ?1082G/A and ?819C/T and the risk of IBD.     

Electron acceptors for anaerobic oxidation of methane drive microbial community structure and diversity in mud volcanoes

Mud volcanoes (MVs) emit globally significant quantities of methane into the atmosphere, however, methane cycling in such environments is not yet fully understood, as the roles of microbes and their associated biogeochemical processes have been largely overlooked. Here, we used data from high‐throughput sequencing of microbial 16S rRNA gene amplicons from six MVs in the Junggar Basin in northwest China to quantify patterns of diversity and characterize the community structure of archaea and bacteria. We found anaerobic methanotrophs and diverse sulfate‐ and iron‐reducing microbes in all of the samples, and the diversity of both archaeal and bacterial communities was strongly linked to the concentrations of sulfate, iron and nitrate, which could act as electron acceptors in anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM). The impacts of sulfate/iron/nitrate on AOM in the MVs were verified by microcosm experiments. Further, two representative MVs were selected to explore the microbial interactions based on phylogenetic molecular ecological networks. The sites showed distinct network structures, key species and microbial interactions, with more complex and numerous linkages between methane‐cycling microbes and their partners being observed in the iron/sulfate‐rich MV. These findings suggest that electron acceptors are important factors driving the structure of microbial communities in these methane‐rich environments.     

不同预处理方法影响昆虫干标本DNA提取效果

为从昆虫干标本中获取高质量DNA,以利于后期PCR扩增目的基因,本研究对DNA提取前昆虫干标本的预处理方法进行探讨,分别测定其纯度和质量,并用不同引物进行了扩增效果对比。结果显示:经过预处理的样品DNA平均含量均高于CK的52.283 ng/滋L,最高为0.9%Na Cl处理3 h,平均含量达122.632 ng/滋L;米象4种预处理方法提取的DNA利用引物Lco1490/Hco2198及UEA7/UEA10均能扩增出650 bp长度条带,仅有0.9%Na Cl溶液浸泡3 h处理的米象可通过引物J173/J1331扩增出1 000 bp的长片段条带。研究表明,经过预处理后,一定程度上减少了基因组DNA的断链,主要对样品DNA的质量浓度影响显著;以9%Na Cl溶液3 h预处理后的昆虫干标本,利用磁珠法所提DNA的质量及PCR扩增效果最佳。     

Complementary genetic and genomic approaches help characterize the linkage group I seed protein QTL in soybean

Background

Cotton fibers (produced by Gossypium species) are the premier natural fibers for textile production. The two tetraploid species, G. barbadense (Gb) and G. hirsutum (Gh), differ significantly in their fiber properties, the former having much longer, finer and stronger fibers that are highly prized. A better understanding of the genetics and underlying biological causes of these differences will aid further improvement of cotton quality through breeding and biotechnology. We evaluated an inter-specific Gh × Gb recombinant inbred line (RIL) population for fiber characteristics in 11 independent experiments under field and glasshouse conditions. Sites were located on 4 continents and 5 countries and some locations were analyzed over multiple years.

Results

The RIL population displayed a large variability for all major fiber traits. QTL analyses were performed on a per-site basis by composite interval mapping. Among the 651 putative QTLs (LOD > 2), 167 had a LOD exceeding permutation based thresholds. Coincidence in QTL location across data sets was assessed for the fiber trait categories strength, elongation, length, length uniformity, fineness/maturity, and color. A meta-analysis of more than a thousand putative QTLs was conducted with MetaQTL software to integrate QTL data from the RIL and 3 backcross populations (from the same parents) and to compare them with the literature. Although the global level of congruence across experiments and populations was generally moderate, the QTL clustering was possible for 30 trait x chromosome combinations (5 traits in 19 different chromosomes) where an effective co-localization of unidirectional (similar sign of additivity) QTLs from at least 5 different data sets was observed. Most consistent meta-clusters were identified for fiber color on chromosomes c6, c8 and c25, fineness on c15, and fiber length on c3.

Conclusions

Meta-analysis provided a reliable means of integrating phenotypic and genetic mapping data across multiple populations and environments for complex fiber traits. The consistent chromosomal regions contributing to fiber quality traits constitute good candidates for the further dissection of the genetic and genomic factors underlying important fiber characteristics, and for marker-assisted selection.     

Determination of cefazedone in human plasma by high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry: Application to a pharmacokinetic study on Chinese volunteers

A rapid, sensitive and simple high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS) method was developed for determination of cefazedone in human plasma using metronidazole as internal standard (IS). The chromatographic separation was achieved on an Ultimate XB-CN column (2.1 mm × 150 mm, 5 μm) with an isocratic mobile phase of acetonitrile and 20 mM ammonium acetate in 0.1% formic acid in water (15:85, v/v). Detection was performed using electrospray ionization in positive ion multiple reaction-monitoring mode (SRM), monitoring the transitions m/z 548.2 → 344.1 for cefazedone and m/z 172.2 → 128.1 for IS. Calibration curves were linear over a wide range of 0.20–401.12 μg/mL for cefazedone in plasma. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 0.20 μg/mL. The intra- and inter-day precisions were less than 7.2%. The average recovery of cefazedone was 90.8–91.0%. The validated method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of cefazedone in Chinese healthy volunteers following intravenous (IV) administration of 500, 1000 and 2000 mg cefazedone injection.     

硫氧化细菌源单质硫的生成、转运和回收

单质硫(硫粒)是硫化物生物氧化的中间产物.按化学计量式精准调控O/S比(溶解氧与硫化物的摩尔比),单质硫可成为硫氧化细菌(Sulfur-oxidizing bacteria,SOB)的主要代谢产物.根据单质硫的分布,单质硫可分为胞内硫粒和胞外硫粒.单质硫由胞内向胞外的跨膜转运过程是泌硫型SOB的重要生理特征.从生物脱硫...     

白背飞虱对水稻抗虫品种N22的适应性研究

在室内连续用感虫品种TN1和抗虫品种N22单管饲养白背飞虱(Sogatella furcifera)种群,研究它对抗虫水稻品种的适应性及其体内保护酶的变化,结果表明,白背飞虱在感虫品种TN1和抗虫品种N22品种上饲养1至2代,其卵历期、若虫期和全世代历期均无明显差异,从感虫品种TN1转移到抗虫品种N22上饲养1代,白背飞虱的若虫存活率、雌成虫寿命、体重、蜜露量、产卵量和内禀增长率等均低于在抗虫品种上连续饲养2代,而后者又低于在感虫品种上饲养的指标,白背飞虱在抗虫品种上连续饲养2代后,体内保护酶中超氧化物岐化酶(SOD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性逐渐接近于感虫品种上连续饲养的结果,说明白背飞虱从感虫品种转到抗虫品种在开始时并不适应,经过连续繁殖多代后白背飞虱逐渐适应,最后导致抗虫品种的抗性丧失。     

微生物1,3-1,4-β-葡聚糖酶蛋白质改造及工业应用研究进展

1,3-1,4-β-葡聚糖酶(E.C.3.2.1.73)是一种重要的工业用酶,其可以通过特异性切割毗邻β-1,3-糖苷键的β-1,4-糖苷键将β-葡聚糖或地衣多糖降解为纤维三糖和纤维四糖。微生物β-葡聚糖酶属于糖苷水解酶家族16,其三维结构为卷心蛋糕状的逆向β-片层结构。文中综述了近些年来β-葡聚糖酶在工业上的应用情况及酶蛋白质工程改造的研究进展,并对其研究前景进行了展望。     

Total chemical synthesis,assembly of human torque teno virus genome

Torque teno virus(TTV)is a nonenveloped virus containing a single-stranded,circular DNA genome of approximately 3.8kb.We completely synthesized the 3808 nucleotides of the TTV(SANBAN isolate)genome,which contains a hairpin structure and a GC-rich region.More than 100 overlapping oligonucleotides were chemically synthesized and assembled by polymerise chain assembly reaction(PCA),and the synthesis was completed with splicing by overlap extension(SOEing).This study establishes the methodological basis of the chemical synthesis of a viral genome for use as a live attenuated vaccine or gene therapy vector.     

一个新型耐热普鲁兰酶的结构与功能

新型普鲁兰酶的研究对于普鲁兰酶制剂的国产化、打破国外垄断具有非常重要的意义。从我国云南腾冲地区轮马热泉的淤泥中分离获得了一株耐热普鲁兰酶产生菌LM 18-11,经16S rDNA序列系统进化树分析,确定该菌为厌氧芽胞杆菌Anoxybacillus属种,并从中克隆获得了耐热普鲁兰酶的编码基因,该酶在55℃-60℃、pH 5.6-6.4的范围内具有最大的反应活性。此外,该酶具有较好的热稳定性,在60℃下处理48 h,仍可保持50%以上的活力;动力学分析该酶的Vmax和Km分别为750 U/mg和1.47 mg/mL,是目前文献报道中比活力最高的耐热普鲁兰酶。同时还对该酶进行了晶体结构分析,结果显示该酶具有?-淀粉酶家族中典型的结构,在N端具有一个特殊的底物结合域,该结构域的缺失导致比活力和底物结合力都有相应降低,Vmax和Km分别为324 U/mg和1.95 mg/mL。同时,将该普鲁兰酶编码基因导入枯草芽胞杆菌中,在P43启动子的控制下,普鲁兰酶基因获得了高效表达,胞外酶活可达42 U/mL,相比初始菌种,表达活力提高40倍以上。研究表明该普鲁兰酶具有很好的应用前景。