重组类人胶原蛋白工程菌补料发酵过程建模

对产类人胶原蛋白的重组大肠杆菌Escherichia coli(E. Coli) 的批式和分批-补料培养动力学进行了研究。通过检测发酵过程的基质浓度、菌体量和产物浓度,建立了一组反映发酵的动力学模型,并考虑了非工程菌存在的影响,分析了细胞生长、底物消耗、基因工程产物生成的过程,结果显示该动力学模型可以很好的拟合发酵过程。     

Application of a novel thermostable NAD(P)H oxidase from hyperthermophilic archaeon for the regeneration of both NAD⁺ and NADP⁺

A novel thermostable NAD(P)H oxidase from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Thermococcus kodakarensis KOD1 (TkNOX) catalyzes oxidation of NADH and NADPH with oxygen from atmospheric air as an electron acceptor. Although the optimal temperature of TkNOX is >90°C, it also shows activity at 30°C. This enzyme was used for the regeneration of both NADP(+) and NAD(+) in alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH)-catalyzed enantioselective oxidation of racemic 1-phenylethanol. NADP(+) regeneration at 30°C was performed by TkNOX coupled with (R)-specific ADH from Lactobacillus kefir, resulting in successful acquisition of optically pure (S)-1-phenylethanol. The use of TkNOX with moderately thermostable (S)-specific ADH from Rhodococcus erythropolis enabled us to operate the enantioselective bioconversion accompanying NAD(+) regeneration at high temperatures. Optically pure (R)-1-phenylethanol was successfully obtained by this system after a shorter reaction time at 45-60°C than that at 30°C, demonstrating an advantage of the combination of thermostable enzymes. The ability of TkNOX to oxidize both NADH and NADPH with remarkable thermostability renders this enzyme a versatile tool for regeneration of the oxidized nicotinamide cofactors without the need for extra substrates other than dissolved oxygen from air.     

MicroRNA-30a sensitizes tumor cells to cis-platinum via suppressing beclin 1-mediated autophagy

Autophagy is activated in cancer cells during chemotherapy and often contributes to tumor chemotherapy resistance. In this study, we characterized the role of microRNA-30a (miR-30a) in the coordination of cancer cell apoptosis and autophagy, which determines the sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapy. First, the autophagy activity in cancer cells increased after cis-dichloro-diamine platinum (cis-DDP) or Taxol treatment, as indicated by the enhanced expression of beclin 1, a key regulator of autophagy, and increased number of LC3-positive autophagosomes. Second, miRNA screening using a TaqMan probe-based quantitative RT-PCR assay identified that miR-30a, a miRNA that targets beclin 1, was significantly reduced in tumor cells by cis-DDP treatment. Forced expression of miR-30a significantly reduced beclin 1 and the autophagy activity of tumor cells induced by cis-DDP. Third, the blockade of tumor cell autophagy activity by miR-30a expression or 3-methyladenine significantly increased tumor cell apoptosis induced by cis-DDP treatment. Finally, an in vivo tumor implantation mouse model clearly showed that elevation of miR-30a in implanted tumor cells by administration of the recombinant lentivirus expressing miR-30a strongly enhanced cis-DDP-induced apoptosis of tumor cells. In conclusion, our results demonstrate for the first time that miR-30a can sensitize tumor cells to cis-DDP via reducing beclin 1-mediated autophagy and that increasing miR-30a level in tumor cells represents a novel approach to enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy during cancer treatment.     

细小病毒非结构蛋白转基因小鼠模型建立

将小鼠乳腺癌病毒启动子控制的细小病毒非结构蛋白基因(长5.7kb)氯化铯超速离心,纯化透析后用显微注射法导入C57BL/SJL F_1小鼠受精卵雄核,植入假孕母鼠输卵管,得成活小鼠15只。抽取鼠尾DNA,对其中10只小鼠作PCR和southern blot鉴定,其中4只(40％)整合有目的基因。对首建者B_6()的8只子代小鼠鉴定,3只(37.5％)整合有目的基因。说明导入的目的基因能传代。     

雄性黄山短尾猴(Macaca thibetana)攻击支持雌性以换取交配回报

生物市场理论认为动物个体之间通过某种协定交换有价值的商品,使双方均受益。该研究采用目标动物法、行为取样法和连续记录法,对浮溪黄山野生猴谷鱼鳞坑短尾猴(Macaca thibetana)A1群(YA1群)和A2群(YA2群)成年个体在非繁殖季节(2011年8月—12月)和繁殖季节(2012年2月—5月)的雄性攻击支持雌性行为和交配行为进行研究,探讨雄性攻击支持雌性与交配之间的关系。两猴群在繁殖季节和非繁殖季节雄性攻击支持雌性与交配行为均呈显著正相关;YA2群繁殖季节与非繁殖季节攻击支持后交配频次均显著高于随机交配;YA1群在繁殖季节攻击支持后交配频次与随机交配频次差异不显著,但在非繁殖季节攻击支持后交配频次显著高于随机交配,说明短尾猴成年雄性攻击支持雌性可以换取与该雌性个体的交配回报。本研究验证了生物市场理论中社会行为存在交换,首次证明了雄性攻击支持可以换取雌性的交配回报,为进一步研究雄性性竞争与雌性选择提供了实例。     

In Vitro Activity of Sodium New Houttuyfonate Alone and in Combination with Oxacillin or Netilmicin against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Background

Staphylococcus aureus can cause severe infections, including bacteremia and sepsis. The spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) highlights the need for novel treatment options. Sodium new houttuyfonate (SNH) is an analogue of houttuynin, the main antibacterial ingredient of Houttuynia cordata Thunb. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro activity of SNH and its potential for synergy with antibiotics against hospital-associated MRSA.

Methodology

A total of 103 MRSA clinical isolates recovered in two hospitals in Beijing were evaluated for susceptibility to SNH, oxacillin, cephalothin, meropenem, vancomycin, levofloxacin, minocycline, netilmicin, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole by broth microdilution. Ten isolates were evaluated for potential for synergy between SNH and the antibiotics above by checkerboard assay. Time-kill analysis was performed in three isolates to characterize the kill kinetics of SNH alone and in combination with the antibiotics that engendered synergy in checkerboard assays. Besides, two reference strains were included in all assays.

Principal Findings

SNH inhibited all test strains with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 16 to 64 µg/mL in susceptibility tests, and displayed inhibition to bacterial growth in concentration-dependent manner in time-kill analysis. In synergy studies, the combinations of SNH-oxacillin, SNH-cephalothin, SNH-meropenem and SNH-netilmicin showed synergistic effects against 12 MRSA strains with median fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) indices of 0.38, 0.38, 0.25 and 0.38 in checkerboard assays. In time-kill analysis, SNH at 1/2 MIC in combination with oxacillin at 1/128 to 1/64 MIC or netilmicin at 1/8 to 1/2 MIC decreased the viable colonies by ≥2log₁₀ CFU/mL.

Conclusions/Significance

SNH demonstrated in vitro antibacterial activity against 103 hospital-associated MRSA isolates. Combinations of sub-MIC levels of SNH and oxacillin or netilmicin significantly improved the in vitro antibacterial activity against MRSA compared with either drug alone. The SNH-based combinations showed promise in combating MRSA.     

A Triboelectric Generator Based on Checker‐Like Interdigital Electrodes with a Sandwiched PET Thin Film for Harvesting Sliding Energy in All Directions

A triboelectric generator based on checker‐like interdigital electrodes (TEGC) with a sandwiched polyethylene terephthalate (PET) thin film that can convert translation kinetic energy in all directions to electricity is reported. The design of the sandwiched PET thin film can effectively avoid direct wear between metal electrodes and sliding panel. The mechanism of the TEGC is described in detail. The performance of the TEGC in different sliding directions is studied, indicating a maximum output power density of 1.9 W m^‐2 and open‐circuit voltage of 210 V achieved in the X or Y sliding direction. The TEGC is used to charge a 110 μF commercial capacitor to 5 V in 35 s and light up two light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) connected with the capacitor simultaneously. The TEGC based mouse pad and sliding panel are fabricated to harvest mouse operation energy to light up LEDs connected in antiparallel when the computer mouse operates a game. The TEGC has advantages of being flexible, light weight, durable, cost effective, and portable by folding or rolling into a small part. This work presents a significant progress toward the structure design of triboelectric generator for its practical applications.     

欧美杂种山杨体细胞无性系变异的分析

以成年欧美杂种山杨(Populustremula×P.tremuloides)优良无性系为材料,通过组织培养方法获得体细胞无性系,利用细胞学和分子生物学方法对其发生的变异进行研究。结果表明:用3.0mg.L-12,4-D诱导的再生植株的细胞染色体稳定性较差,所检测的144个细胞中,变异的细胞中多数发生了染色体加倍,二倍体细胞数仅占36.81%。有些染色体还发生了形态变异,染色体加长,形成带有随体或长臂较长的大型染色体。用1.0mg.L-16-BA诱导再生植株中染色体数量稳定性介于对照和3.0mg.L-12,4-D诱导的再生植株之间,在观察的142个细胞中二倍体细胞占54.93%。再生植株的AFLP分析表明,由激素诱导的再生植株中,AFLP谱带发生了变化,表明发生了体细胞无性系分子水平变异。     

大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤后神经元和星形胶质细胞的动态变化及Cyclin D1表达的差异

目的研究大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注损伤后神经元和星形胶质细胞表达量的动态演变及各自cyclin D1的表达差异。方法建立大鼠大脑中动脉阻塞（MCAO）再灌注模型,随机分为再灌注后1d组,3d组,7d组,14d组和假手术组,应用流式细胞术检测各组再灌注后不同时间点神经元和星形胶质细胞数量变化及各自cyclin D1的表达。结果缺血侧梗死边缘区皮质星形胶质细胞的表达增加,而神经元的表达下降,与假手术组比较有明显差异（P〈0．05）;神经元和星形胶质细胞中各自cyclin D1的表达在再灌注7d、14d后表达上调,且星形胶质细胞中的cyclinD1增加更明显,与假手术组比较有统计学差异（P〈0．05）。结论大鼠脑缺血再灌注后,缺血侧梗死边缘区皮质星形胶质细胞和神经元的cyclinD1表达均有不同程度的上调,星形胶质细胞的cyclin D1表达上调比神经元的更为显著。