Exploring the expression bar code of SAA variants for gastric cancer detection

We reported an integrated platform to explore serum protein variant pattern in cancer and its utility as a new class of biomarker panel for diagnosis. On the model study of serum amyloid A (SAA), we employed nanoprobe‐based affinity mass spectrometry for enrichment, identification and quantitation of SAA variants from serum of 105 gastric cancer patients in comparison with 54 gastritis patients, 54 controls, and 120 patients from other cancer. The result revealed surprisingly heterogeneous and most comprehensive SAA bar code to date, which comprises 24 SAA variants including SAA1‐ and SAA2‐encoded products, polymorphic isoforms, N‐terminal–truncated forms, and three novel SAA oxidized isotypes, in which the variant‐specific peptide sequence were also confirmed by LC‐MS/MS. A diagnostic model was developed for dimension reduction and computational classification of the 24 SAA‐variant bar code, providing good discrimination (AUC = 0.85 ± 3.2E?3) for differentiating gastric cancer group from gastritis and normal groups (sensitivity, 0.76; specificity, 0.81) and was validated with external validation cohort (sensitivity, 0.71; specificity, 0.74). Our platform not only shed light on the occurrence and modification extent of under‐represented serum protein variants in cancer, but also suggested a new concept of diagnostic platform by serum protein variant profile.     

强壮粗体虫的线粒体基因组及棘头虫的系统发育研究

通过长距离PCR方法,克隆了鳜（Siniperca chuatsi Basilewsky）肠道内寄生虫强壮粗体虫（Hebesoma violentum Van Cleave）线粒体基因组全长序列,共13393 bp （GenBank登录号:KC415004）,有36个基因,其中蛋白编码基因12个,核糖体基因2个,tRNA22个。所有基因均由线粒体基因组同一条链按同一个方向转录。利用该线粒体基因组和已经报道的一些轮虫纲种类的线粒体基因组序列,构建了棘头虫和轮虫的系统发育树。系统发育研究表明:包括强壮粗体虫、隐藏新棘虫Pallisentis celatus（Van Cleave）和Paratenuisentis ambiguous（Van Cleave）在内的始新棘头虫纲（Eoacanthocephala）与古棘头虫纲（Palaeacanthocephala）亲缘关系较近,聚为一枝后再与原棘头虫纲（Archiacanthocephala）聚在一起;棘头虫与双巢类轮虫（Bdelloid）亲缘关系最近,聚为一枝,然后再与单巢类轮虫（Monogonont）聚在一起,表明棘头虫和轮虫具有较近的亲缘关系。       

Effects of aspirin on the development of Helicobacter pylori-induced gastric inflammation and heterotopic proliferative glands in Mongolian gerbils

Background: Helicobacter pylori infection is a major cause of gastritis and gastric carcinoma. Aspirin has anti‐inflammatory and antineoplastic activity. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of aspirin on H. pylori‐induced gastritis and the development of heterotopic proliferative glands. Methods: H. pylori strain SS1 was inoculated into the stomachs of Mongolian gerbils. Two weeks after inoculation, the animals were fed with the powder diets containing 0 p.p.m. (n = 10), 150 p.p.m. (n = 10), or 500 p.p.m. (n = 10) aspirin. Mongolian gerbils were killed after 36 weeks of infection. Uninfected Mongolian gerbils (n = 10) were used as controls. Histologic changes, epithelial cell proliferation and apoptosis, and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) levels of gastric tissue were determined. Results: H. pylori infection induced gastric inflammation. Administration of aspirin did not change H. pylori‐induced gastritis, but alleviated H. pylori‐induced hyperplasia and the development of heterotopic proliferative glands. Administration of aspirin accelerated H. pylori‐associated apoptosis but decreased H. pylori‐associated cell proliferation. In addition, the increased gastric PGE₂ levels due to H. pylori infection were suppressed by treatment with aspirin, especially at the dose of 500 p.p.m. Conclusions: Aspirin alleviates H. pylori‐induced hyperplasia and the development of heterotopic proliferative glands. Moreover, aspirin increases H. pylori‐induced apoptosis. We demonstrated the antineoplastic activities of aspirin in H. pylori‐related gastric carcinogenesis.     

Antibodies targeting the PfRH1 binding domain inhibit invasion of Plasmodium falciparum merozoites

Invasion by the malaria merozoite depends on recognition of specific erythrocyte surface receptors by parasite ligands. Plasmodium falciparum uses multiple ligands, including at least two gene families, reticulocyte binding protein homologues (RBLs) and erythrocyte binding proteins/ligands (EBLs). The combination of different RBLs and EBLs expressed in a merozoite defines the invasion pathway utilized and could also play a role in parasite virulence. The binding regions of EBLs lie in a conserved cysteine-rich domain while the binding domain of RBL is still not well characterized. Here, we identify the erythrocyte binding region of the P. falciparum reticulocyte binding protein homologue 1 (PfRH1) and show that antibodies raised against the functional binding region efficiently inhibit invasion. In addition, we directly demonstrate that changes in the expression of RBLs can constitute an immune evasion mechanism of the malaria merozoite.     

海南乐东洪帽剖面鹿母湾组孢粉组合及其地层意义

作者系统地研究了海南乐东洪帽剖面鹿母湾组孢粉化石,共计26属60种,其中苔藓类植物孢子1属3种,蕨类植物孢子18属30种,裸子植物花粉7属27种,组成以Cicatricosisporites-Schizaeois porites-Ephedripites-Exe-sipollenites为特征的孢粉组合.依据组合中主要分子和重要分子地质时限的讨论以及与相关孢粉组合进行比较,将洪帽剖面鹿母湾组的地质时代归为Aptian期-早Albian期.     

Synthesis, structure and antibacterial activity of novel 1-(5-substituted-3-substituted-4,5-dihydropyrazol-1-yl)ethanone oxime ester derivatives

A series of novel 1-(5-substituted-3-substituted-4,5-dihydropyrazol-1-yl)ethanone oxime ester derivatives are synthesized. The results show that compounds 14 and 26c can strongly inhibit Staphylococcus aureus DNA gyrase and Escherichia coli DNA gyrase (with IC(50) of 0.25 and 0.125 microg/mL against S. aureus DNA gyrase, 0.125 and 0.25 microg/mL against E. coli DNA gyrase). On the basis of the biological results, structure-activity relationships are also discussed.     

Molecular modeling of zinc and copper binding with Alzheimer’s amyloid β-peptide

Aggregation of the amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) into insoluble fibrils is a key pathological event in Alzheimer’s disease. Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions were reported to be able to induce Aβ aggregation at nearly physiological concentrations in vitro. In this study, the binding modes of Cu(II) and Zn(II) in this process were explored by molecular modeling. In the pre-associated Aβ, Nτ atom of imidazole ring of His14, O atom of carbonyl of main-chain and two O atoms of water occupied the four ligand positions of the complex. While in the aggregated form of Aβ, the His13(N)–Metals–His14(N) bridges were formed through metal cross-linking action. These results would be helpful to put insight on revealing the formation mechanism of pathogenic Aβ aggregates in brain.     

获取全长cDNA若干方法的比较

生物技术突飞猛进大大提高了人类认识自身及与人类息息相关的生命现象的能力。近几年内 ,人类 [1,2 ]、模式生物拟南芥 ( Arabidopsis thaliana) [3 5]及水稻的基因组测序 [6,7]的草图相继完成 ,给人类又提出了新的挑战 :如何鉴定这些序列的功能及如何解析生命现象的基因本质 ,这是一个更加庞大而又极富挑战性的课题 ,正促使一门新的学科即功能基因组学 ( Functional genomics)的产生与蓬勃发展。不论功能基因组学多么深奥 ,其认识基因功能的基本前提是获取可能有相关功能的基因之全长编码序列。其中 ,全长 c DNA序列的获取是正确地注释基…     

Targeted gene delivery to CD117‐expressing cells in vivo with lentiviral vectors co‐displaying stem cell factor and a fusogenic molecule

The development of a lentiviral system to deliver genes to specific cell types could improve the safety and the efficacy of gene delivery. Previously, we have developed an efficient method to target lentivectors to specific cells via an antibody–antigen interaction in vitro and in vivo. We report herein a targeted lentivector that harnesses the natural ligand–receptor recognition mechanism for targeted modification of c‐KIT receptor‐expressing cells. For targeting, we incorporate membrane‐bound human stem cell factor (hSCF), and for fusion, a Sindbis virus‐derived fusogenic molecule (FM) onto the lentiviral surface. These engineered vectors can recognize cells expressing surface CD117, resulting in efficient targeted transduction of cells in an SCF‐receptor dependent manner in vitro, and in vivo in xenografted mouse models. This study expands the ability of targeting lentivectors beyond antibody targets to include cell‐specific surface receptors. Development of a high titer lentivector to receptor‐specific cells is an attractive approach to restrict gene expression and could potentially ensure therapeutic effects in the desired cells while limiting side effects caused by gene expression in non‐target cells. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009; 104: 206–215 © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.