Beta‐elemene inhibits breast cancer metastasis through blocking pyruvate kinase M2 dimerization and nuclear translocation

Pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), playing a central role in regulating aerobic glycolysis, was considered as a promising target for cancer therapy. However, its role in cancer metastasis is rarely known. Here, we found a tight relationship between PKM2 and breast cancer metastasis, demonstrated by the findings that beta‐elemene (β‐elemene), an approved drug for complementary cancer therapy, exerted distinct anti‐metastatic activity dependent on PKM2. The results indicated that β‐elemene inhibited breast cancer cell migration, invasion in vitro as well as metastases in vivo. β‐Elemene further inhibited the process of aerobic glycolysis and decreased the utilization of glucose and the production of pyruvate and lactate through suppressing pyruvate kinase activity by modulating the transformation of dimeric and tetrameric forms of PKM2. Further analysis revealed that β‐elemene suppressed aerobic glycolysis by blocking PKM2 nuclear translocation and the expression of EGFR, GLUT1 and LDHA by influencing the expression of importin α5. Furthermore, the effect of β‐elemene on migration, invasion, PKM2 transformation, and nuclear translocation could be reversed in part by fructose‐1,6‐bisphosphate (FBP) and L‐cysteine. Taken together, tetrameric transformation and nuclear translocation of PKM2 are essential for cancer metastasis, and β‐elemene inhibited breast cancer metastasis via blocking aerobic glycolysis mediated by dimeric PKM2 transformation and nuclear translocation, being a promising anti‐metastatic agent from natural compounds.     

Antifungal Effect of Essential Oils from Five Kinds of Rutaceae Plants – Avoiding Pesticide Residue and Resistance

Panax notoginseng root is a traditional Chinese herb, of which the yield and quality have been seriously affected by microorganisms, and is commonly used to treat various kinds of bleeding. In this experiment, the effects of the antifungal properties of essential oils (EOs) from five kinds of Rutaceae plants on the growth of three kinds of pathogens were studied to develop natural, environmentally friendly antifungal agents. Citrus medica EO was found to have stronger inhibitory effects on the growth of pathogenic fungi in vitro than other EOs with the Oxford cup method, of which the chemical composition was further investigated by GC/MS. The major components were d ‐limonene (22.79 %) and γ‐terpinene (9.71 %). The antifungal activities were evaluated by MIC and FIC assays. In these assays, C. medica EO, d ‐limonene and γ‐terpinene were effective against three pathogens of P. notoginseng with MIC values ranging from 0.12 to 12.05 mg/mL. The association between hymexazol and C. medica EO showed a high synergistic effect with lower FIC index values (FICi=0.31–2.00). Furthermore, C. medica EO was further assessed in P. notoginseng planted in a continuous cropping soil (CCS) and was found to reduce the disease incidence and disease severity compared with P. notoginseng planted in CCS only without EO addition. This finding suggested that C. medica EO has potential as a natural environmentally antifungal agent against pathogens of P. notoginseng, ensuring its safety.     

从自然科学技术原理向风景园林设计语言转译——河段尺度下的生态设计手法研究

在河流生态修复的研究中,理论与实践之间存在着落差,风景园林学正是整合不同学科理论并最终转化为实践的最佳途径。本研究的核心工作是将河流生态修复中的理论转化为风景园林设计语言,即生态设计手法,主要采用 T-P-C（Theory-Pattern-Case）法。首先对河流空间要素进行分析,再依据相关自然科学技术原理,转译出一组设计法则,最后结合河流生态问题,提炼出“改造边滩蜿蜒度”“生态河床”“生态筑坝”等 15 种河段尺度的生态设计手法,为设计师提供一套生态性、空间性、归纳性、尺度性和类型性的设计工具。     

MRP8蛋白在腋臭中的表达及其意义

为了比较腋臭患者与正常人顶泌汗腺中MRP8表达情况,并对其临床应用价值作出评价。随机选取我院2015～2016年就诊患者90例对其进行回顾性研究,其中腋臭病确诊患者30例作为实验组,肺癌患者30例为阳性对照组,正常人腋下皮肤组织30例作为空白对照组,采用免疫组化法检测MRP8蛋白的表达情况并作统计学分析。实验显示:实验组腋臭顶泌汗腺中MRP8的表达阳性率(60%)高于空白对照组(33.3%),差异具统计学意义(p<0.05);阳性对照组中MRP8的表达阳性率(90%)高于实验组,两组间差异具统计学意义(p<0.05)。腋臭患者的汗腺中MRP8蛋白表达较正常人高,提示腋臭的发生、发展与该蛋白表达的变化具有密切关系,能够为腋臭临床诊断提供重要依据。     

Phylogeographic patterns and conservation implications of the endangered Chinese giant salamander

Understanding genetic diversity patterns of endangered species is an important premise for biodiversity conservation. The critically endangered salamander Andrias davidianus, endemic to central and southern mainland in China, has suffered from sharp range and population size declines over the past three decades. However, the levels and patterns of genetic diversity of A. davidianus populations in wild remain poorly understood. Herein, we explore the levels and phylogeographic patterns of genetic diversity of wild‐caught A. davidianus using larvae and adult collection with the aid of sequence variation in (a) the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) fragments (n = 320 individuals; 33 localities), (b) 19 whole mtDNA genomes, and (c) nuclear recombinase activating gene 2 (RAG2; n = 88 individuals; 19 localities). Phylogenetic analyses based on mtDNA datasets uncovered seven divergent mitochondrial clades (A–G), which likely originated in association with the uplifting of mountains during the Late Miocene, specific habitat requirements, barriers including mountains and drainages and lower dispersal ability. The distributions of clades were geographic partitioned and confined in neighboring regions. Furthermore, we discovered some mountains, rivers, and provinces harbored more than one clades. RAG2 analyses revealed no obvious geographic patterns among the five alleles detected. Our study depicts a relatively intact distribution map of A. davidianus clades in natural species range and provides important knowledge that can be used to improve monitoring programs and develop a conservation strategy for this critically endangered organism.     

Comprehensive Study of Phase-Sensitive SPR Sensor Based on Metal–ITO Hybrid Multilayer

Plasmonics - Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor is widely used for its high precision and real-time analysis. In this paper, SPR biosensor based on the hybrid structure of metal–indium...     

糖尿病肾病啮齿动物模型研究进展*

糖尿病肾病(Diabetic nephropathy,DN),是糖尿病微血管病变中常见的并发症,也是发展为终末期肾病(End stage renaldisease,ESRD)的主要原因之一,其病因与发病机制非常复杂,至今尚未完全阐明。理想的动物模型研究对于探索DN的病因、发病机制,发病早期作出诊断、发现临床相关治疗靶点并探索新的治疗方法,评价干预措施等方面有着不可替代的作用。本文现就目前国内外常用的DN啮齿动物模型展开综述,探讨不同DN啮齿动物模型的特点和应用范围。     

血清胱抑素C、同型半胱氨酸及β2-微球蛋白在急性肾损伤患者中的动态变化及诊断价值分析

目的:研究血清胱抑素C(Cys C)、同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)及β2-微球蛋白(β2-MG)在急性肾损伤(AKI)患者中的动态变化及诊断价值。方法:选取2016年3月～2018年12月于南京市第一医院接受诊治的123例AKI患者作为研究对象。将其按照AKI分期分为AKI 1期组60例、AKI 2期组33例、AKI 3期组30例,另选取同期于南京市第一医院体检的健康人员40例作为对照组。分别比较四组人员的血清Cys C、Hcy、β2-MG水平以及APACHEⅡ评分,并作相关性分析。比较AKI患者血清Cys C、Hcy、β2-MG水平单独检测以及联合检测的检出率。此外,将AKI患者按照预后的差异分为存活组93例以及死亡组30例。比较两组患者的血清Cys C、Hcy、β2-MG水平以及APACHEⅡ评分。结果:对照组、AKI 1期组、AKI 2期组、AKI 3期组血清Cys C、Hcy、β2-MG水平呈逐渐升高趋势,随着AKI分期的增加,APACHEⅡ评分亦升高(均P0.05)。经Pearson相关性分析可得:AKI患者APACHEⅡ评分与血清Cys C、Hcy、β2-MG水平均呈正相关关系(均P0.05)。AKI患者血清Cys C、Hcy、β2-MG联合检测的检出率明显高于单独检测。AKI患者存活组的血清Cys C、Hcy、β2-MG水平以及APACHEⅡ评分均低于死亡组(均P0.05)。结论:血清Cys C、Hcy、β2-MG水平在AKI患者中明显高表达,且随着患者病情的不断加重,上述三项血清学指标水平以及APACHEⅡ评分随之增加。临床工作中通过联合检测血清Cys C、Hcy、β2-MG水平,将有助于AKI患者的诊断以及预后评估。