Distribution of MICB diversity in the Zhejiang Han population: PCR sequence-based typing for exons 2–6 and identification of five novel MICB alleles

The polymorphism of major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related gene B (MICB) and variations in MICB alleles in a variety of populations have been characterized using several genotyping approaches. In the present study, a novel polymerase chain reaction sequence-based typing (PCR-SBT) method was established for the genotyping of MICB exons 2–6, and the allelic frequency of MICB in the Zhejiang Han population was investigated. Among 400 unrelated healthy Han individuals from Zhejiang Province, China, a total of 20 MICB alleles were identified, of which MICB*005:02:01, MICB*002:01:01, and MICB*004:01:01 were the most predominant alleles, with frequencies of 0.57375, 0.1225, and 0.08375, respectively. Nine MICB alleles were detected on only one occasion, giving a frequency of 0.00125. Of the 118 distinct MICB?～?HLA-B haplotypes identified, 42 showed significant linkage disequilibrium (P?<?0.05). Haplotypes MICB*005:02:01?～?B*46:01, MICB*005:02:01?～?B*40:01, and MICB*008?～?B*58:01 were the most common haplotypes, with frequencies of 0.0978, 0.0761, and 0.0616, respectively. Five novel alleles, MICB*005:07, MICB*005:08, MICB*027, MICB*028, and MICB*029 were identified. Compared with the MICB*005:02:01 sequence, a G > A substitution was observed at nucleotide position 210 in MICB*005:07, and a 1,134 T > C substitution in MICB*005:08 and an 862 G > A substitution in MICB*027 were detected. In addition, it appears that MICB*028 probably arose from MICB*004:01:01 with an A to G substitution at position 1,147 in exon 6. MICB*029 had a G > T transversion at nucleotide position 730 in exon 4, compared with that of MICB*002:01:01. On the basis of the new PCR-SBT assay, these observed results demonstrated MICB allelic variations in the Zhejiang Han population.     

Differential Suppression of Ethylene Biosynthesis and Receptor Genes in ‘Golden Delicious’ Apple by Preharvest and Postharvest 1-MCP Treatments

Harvista?, a sprayable formulation of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), has recently been developed for preharvest use on horticultural products, whereas SmartFresh? is a widely used 1-MCP treatment for products after harvest. The effects of Harvista? on apple fruit ripening when sprayed at different maturities and on expression patterns of ethylene biosynthesis and receptor genes during storage have been investigated. Harvista? applied to on-tree maturing apple fruit at an average starch pattern index of 2.5 resulted in a higher at-harvest firmness value compared with those treated at a starch pattern index of 1.5 and 3.5. This indicates that the timing of the Harvista? application is critical. An application of Harvista? led to better postharvest fruit firmness retention as well as reduced ethylene production. In addition, both preharvest and postharvest 1-MCP treatments resulted in contrasting responses in the expression patterns of two ethylene biosynthesis genes and in differentially suppressing effects on four ethylene receptor genes. Furthermore, the combined application of Harvista? + SmartFresh? resulted in greater fruit firmness retention and longer ethylene suppression. The expression profiles of these genes during on-tree fruit maturation prior to Harvista? application were also characterized. Different regulation patterns of receptor genes could contribute to differential effects by 1-MCP treatments. The potential roles of Harvista? to manipulate the ripening process as well as the molecular mechanism influencing 1-MCP treatment efficacy are discussed.     

Physiological and biochemical responses to light and temperature stress in free-living conchocelis of Neopyropia katadae (Bangiales,Rhodophyta)

Journal of Applied Phycology - Neopyropia katadae is one of the important economic seaweeds in China. A mass of free-living conchocelis is needed in the commercial cultivation of N. katadae. This...     

Reducing ion channel activity in a series of 4-heterocyclic arylamide FMS inhibitors

During efforts to improve the bioavailability of FMS kinase inhibitors 1 and 2, a series of saturated and aromatic 4-heterocycles of reduced basicity were prepared and evaluated in an attempt to also improve the cardiovascular safety profile over lead arylamide 1, which possessed ion channel activity. The resultant compounds retained excellent potency and exhibited diminished ion channel activity.     

Bioreactor cultivation enhances NTEB formation and differentiation of NTES cells into cardiomyocytes

Autogenic embryonic stem cells established from somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos have been proposed as unlimited cell sources for cell transplantation-based treatment of many genetic and degenerative diseases, which can eliminate the immune rejection that occurs after transplantation. In the present study, pluripotent nuclear transfer ES (NTES) cell lines were successfully established from different strains of mice. One NTES cell line, NT1, with capacity of germline transmission, was used to investigate in vitro differentiation into cardiomyocytes. To optimize differentiation conditions for mass production of embryoid bodies (NTEBs) from NTES cells, a slow-turning lateral vessel (STLV) rotating bioreactor was used for culturing the NTES cells to produce NTEBs compared with a conventional static cultivation method. Our results demonstrated that the NTEBs formed in STLV bioreactor were more uniform in size, and no large necrotic centers with most of the cells in NTEBs were viable. Differentiation of the NTEBs formed in both the STLV bioreactor and static culture into cardiomyocytes was induced by ascorbic acid, and the results demonstrated that STLV-produced NTEBs differentiated into cardiomyocytes more efficiently. Taken together, our results suggested that STLV bioreactor provided a more ideal culture condition, which can facilitate the formation of better quality NTEBs and differentiation into cardiomyocytes more efficiently in vitro.     

高原鼠兔个性特征的地理变异及其对环境的适应

个性特征是指动物稳定且可遗传的综合行为特征,反映出其对特定环境的适应。限制性假说认为个性特征主要受遗传因素制约,个体间行为的表达差异不以环境条件而发生随意性改变;然而,适应性假说则认为个性特征主要由环境因素决定,生活于相同环境中的物种,其个性特征将产生趋同现象。本研究通过比较2个高原鼠兔地理种群的个性特征,检验适应性假说和限制性假说的相关预测。结果表明,刚察县高原鼠兔野外种群个体的行为特征聚为3类,玛沁县则为2类。实验室内驯化2-3个月后,两个地理种群个体行为特征聚为1类。两地理种群个体的观察、攀爬行为及边缘区域活动、移动累计时间均无显著差异,但静止累计时间存在明显地理差异。个体的中心区域活动累计时间在野外和驯化后均存在明显差异,且与地理空间的交互作用不显著。两地理种群之间个体的温顺性无明显差异;心率亦无显著差异。高原鼠兔个性特征中主要行为参数无显著的地理差异,主要由遗传因素决定,验证了限制性假说的相关预测。     

Cord blood and adult T cells show different responses to C1q-bearing immune complexes

We have previously shown that T cells can be activated through cell-surface C1q receptors, resulting in secretion of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), further demonstrating the intimate linkage between innate and adaptive immunity. In this current report, we sought to determine whether: (1) T cell responses to C1q-bearing immune complexes are dependent on the maturational status of the T cells and (2) whether signaling through the C1q receptor on T cells modulates conventional activation mediated through the conventional T cell receptor (TCR)/CD3 signaling complex. We first examined the capacity of neonatal T cells to respond to C1q-bearing immune complexes using IFNgamma, IL-2, and MIF secretion as measures of activation (MIF was chosen because of its crucial role in coordinating innate and adaptive immunity). Neonatal T cells produced significantly less IFNgamma but not IL-2, when stimulated by C1q immune complexes compared with adult T cells. MIF levels did not exceed background levels in these experiments. Next, we examined the capacity of C1q-bearing immune complexes to regulate signaling through the conventional TCR/CD3 signaling complex. Pre-incubating adult T cells with C1q-bearing immune complexes significantly reduced IFNgamma secretion when those same cells were subsequently stimulated with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 monoclonal antibodies. Pre-incubation of neonatal T-cells with C1q-bearing immune complexes had no effect on IFNgamma secretion, although IFNgamma secretion was lower than that found in adult T cells for each experimental condition. We speculate that reduced IFNgamma secretion after pre-incubation with C1q immune complexes may be due to IL-10 secretion, which was observed in C1q-stimulated adult (but not neonatal) T cells. Conclusions: C1q-bearing immune complexes exert complex effects on mature T cells that include both pro- and anti-inflammatory responses. Immunologic maturation is required for these effects, as cord blood T cells are relatively hyporesponsive to C1q-bearing immune complexes compared with adult T cells.