Frequent coexistence of anti-topoisomerase I and anti-U1RNP autoantibodies in African American patients associated with mild skin involvement: a retrospective clinical study

Introduction  

The presence of anti-topoisomerase I (topo I) antibodies is a classic scleroderma (SSc) marker presumably associated with a unique clinical subset. Here the clinical association of anti-topo I was reevaluated in unselected patients seen in a rheumatology clinic setting.     

Chk1 and Hsp90 cooperatively regulate phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase at serine 1179

The effects of DNA damage on NO production have not been completely elucidated. Using ultraviolet (UV) irradiation as a DNA-damaging agent, we studied its effect on NO production in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC). UV irradiation acutely increased NO production, the phosphorylation of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) at serine 1179, and eNOS activity. No alterations in eNOS expression nor phosphorylation at eNOS Thr⁴⁹⁷ or eNOS Ser¹¹⁶ were found. SB218078, a checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1) inhibitor, inhibited UV-irradiation-stimulated eNOS-Ser¹¹⁷⁹ phosphorylation and NO production. Similarly, ectopic expression of small interference RNA for Chk1 or a dominant-negative Chk1 repressed the UV-irradiation stimulatory effect, whereas wild-type Chk1 increased basal eNOS-Ser¹¹⁷⁹ phosphorylation. Purified Chk1 directly phosphorylated eNOS Ser¹¹⁷⁹ in vitro. Confocal microscopy and coimmunoprecipitation studies revealed a colocalization of eNOS and Chk1. In basal BAEC, heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) predominantly interacted with Chk1. This interaction, which decreased significantly in response to UV irradiation, was accompanied by increased interaction of Hsp90 with eNOS. The Hsp90 inhibitor geldanamycin attenuated UV-irradiation-stimulated eNOS-Ser¹¹⁷⁹ phosphorylation by dissociating Hsp90 from eNOS. UV irradiation and geldanamycin did not alter the interaction between eNOS and Chk1. Overall, this is the first study demonstrating that Chk1 directly phosphorylates eNOS Ser¹¹⁷⁹ in response to UV irradiation, which is dependent on Hsp90 interaction.     

The role of muscarinic receptors in the beneficial effects of adenosine against myocardial reperfusion injury in rats

Adenosine, a catabolite of ATP, displays a wide variety of effects in the heart including regulation of cardiac response to myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury. Nonetheless, the precise mechanism of adenosine-induced cardioprotection is still elusive. Isolated Sprague-Dawley rat hearts underwent 30 min global ischemia and 120 min reperfusion using a Langendorff apparatus. Both adenosine and acetylcholine treatment recovered the post-reperfusion cardiac function associated with adenosine and muscarinic receptors activation. Simultaneous administration of adenosine and acetylcholine failed to exert any additive protective effect, suggesting a shared mechanism between the two. Our data further revealed a cross-talk between the adenosine and acetylcholine receptor signaling in reperfused rat hearts. Interestingly, the selective M(2) muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist methoctramine significantly attenuated the cardioprotective effect of adenosine. In addition, treatment with adenosine upregulated the expression and the maximal binding capacity of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor, which were inhibited by the selective A(1) adenosine receptor antagonist 8-Cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX) and the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N(ω)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). These data suggested a possible functional coupling between the adenosine and muscarinic receptors behind the observed cardioprotection. Furthermore, nitric oxide was found involved in triggering the response to each of the two receptor agonist. In summary, there may be a cross-talk between the adenosine and muscarinic receptors in ischemic/reperfused myocardium with nitric oxide synthase might serve as the distal converging point. In addition, adenosine contributes to the invigorating effect of adenosine on muscarinic receptor thereby prompting to regulation of cardiac function. These findings argue for a potentially novel mechanism behind the adenosine-mediated cardioprotection.     

粘虫类钙粘蛋白基因的克隆、序列分析及时空表达

昆虫中肠膜类钙粘蛋白（cadherin-like protein, CLP）是苏云金芽孢杆菌Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)毒素的重要受体之一, 与Bt毒素的杀虫作用机制以及昆虫对Bt毒素的抗性等密切相关。本研究应用RT-PCR和RACE技术, 克隆了迁飞性重要害虫粘虫Mythimna separata类钙粘蛋白基因全长cDNA序列（命名为Msclp, GenBank登录号为JF951432）, 全长5 642 bp, 编码1 757个氨基酸, 推导的氨基酸序列具有昆虫类钙粘蛋白的特征结构, 包括1个信号肽、 1个前蛋白区、 12个钙粘蛋白重复、 1个近膜区、 1个跨膜区和1个胞质区。预测的分子量和等电点分别为196.786 kD和4.5。该蛋白与同科的烟夜蛾Helicoverpa assulta、 烟芽夜蛾Heliothis virescens、 棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera及甜菜夜蛾Spodoptera exigua的类钙粘蛋白亲缘关系最近, 氨基酸序列一致性分别为61.77%, 61.66%, 61.26%和58.14%。荧光定量RT-PCR分析表明, 该类钙粘蛋白基因在不同龄期的粘虫幼虫中表达量差异极显著(P<0.01), 其中4龄幼虫相对表达量最高, 但与3龄、 6龄幼虫并没有显著性差异; 1和2龄幼虫表达量最低; 表达部位主要在粘虫中肠, 在中肠以外的虫体其他部位表达量极低。这些结果对于揭示转Bt作物对非靶标、 迁飞性粘虫的杀虫作用机制以及评价其潜在的对Bt毒素抗性机制等奠定了基础。     

Predictors of the uptake of A (H1N1) influenza vaccine: findings from a population-based longitudinal study in Tokyo

Background

Overall pandemic A (H1N1) influenza vaccination rates remain low across all nations, including Japan. To increase the rates, it is important to understand the motives and barriers for the acceptance of the vaccine. We conducted this study to determine potential predictors of the uptake of A (H1N1) influenza vaccine in a cohort of Japanese general population.

Methodology/Principal Findings

By using self-administered questionnaires, this population-based longitudinal study was conducted from October 2009 to April 2010 among 428 adults aged 18–65 years randomly selected from each household residing in four wards and one city in Tokyo. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. Of total, 38.1% of participants received seasonal influenza vaccine during the preceding season, 57.0% had willingness to accept A (H1N1) influenza vaccine at baseline, and 12.1% had received A (H1N1) influenza vaccine by the time of follow-up. After adjustment for potential confounding variables, people who had been vaccinated were significantly more likely to be living with an underlying disease (p = 0.001), to perceive high susceptibility to influenza (p = 0.03), to have willingness to pay even if the vaccine costs ≥ US$44 (p = 0.04), to have received seasonal influenza vaccine during the preceding season (p<0.001), and to have willingness to accept A (H1N1) influenza vaccine at baseline (p<0.001) compared to those who had not been vaccinated.

Conclusions/Significance

While studies have reported high rates of willingness to receive A (H1N1) influenza vaccine, these rates may not transpire in the actual practices. The uptake of the vaccine may be determined by several potential factors such as perceived susceptibility to influenza and sensitivity to vaccination cost in general population.     

膀胱镜检对前列腺增生患者血清PSA、FPSA的影响

目的:探讨膀胱镜检对BPH患者血清前列腺特异性抗原(PSA)、游离PsA(FPSA)的影响.方法:32例BPH患者,均行膀胱镜检,研究其对患者血清PSA、FPSA的影响程度及时阃.结果:膀胱镜检前患者平均血清PSA值为2.28±1.86ng/ml,FPSA值0.48±0.31ng/ml;镜检后24h内PSA值4.89±3.72ng/ml,FPSA值1.07±0.65ng/ml;镜检后第3天患者平均血清PSA值2.42±1.92ng/ml,FPSA值0.51±0.28ng/ml.镜检后24h内患者血清PSA、FPSA值较镜检前相比P<0.05,有统计学意义;镜检后第3天患者血清PSA、FPSA值较镜检前相比P>0.05,无统计学意义.而各组F/T差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论:膀胱镜检可引起BPH患者血清PSA和FPSA值显著改变,但对F/T值改变无影响,重复血清PSA和FPSA的测定可在膀胱镜检后72h进行.     

Isolation and characterization of a <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus licheniformis</Emphasis> strain capable of degrading zearalenone

The worldwide contamination of cereals, oilseeds, and other crops by mycotoxin-producing moulds is a significant problem. Mycotoxins have adverse effects on humans and animals that result in illnesses and economic losses. Reduction or elimination of mycotoxin contamination in food and feed is an important issue. This study aimed to screen soil bacteria for degradation of zearalenone (ZEN). A pure culture of strain CK1 isolated from soil samples showed most capable of degradation of ZEN. Using physiological, biochemical, and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis methods, CK1 was identified as Bacillus licheniformis. Addition of 2 ppm of ZEN in Luria–Bertani (LB) medium, B. licheniformis CK1 decreased 95.8% of ZEN after 36 h of incubation. In ZEN-contaminated corn meal medium, B. licheniformis CK1 decreased more than 98% of ZEN after 36 h of incubation. In addition, B. licheniformis CK1 was non-hemolytic, non-enterotoxin producing, and displayed high levels of extracellular xylanase, cellulase, and protease activities. These findings suggest that B. licheniformis CK1 could be used to reduce the concentrations of ZEN and improve the digestibility of nutrients in feedstuffs simultaneously.     

Molecular mechanisms underlying KVS-1-MPS-1 complex assembly

Formation of heteromeric complexes between voltage-gated K(+) (Kv) channels and accessory (beta) subunits is a widespread means to generate heterogeneity of K(+) current in the nervous system. Here we investigate the principles that determine the interactions of Caenorhabditis elegans MPS-1, a bifunctional beta-subunit that possesses kinase activity, with Kv channels. MPS-1 belongs to the evolutionarily conserved family of KCNE beta-subunits that modulate the functional properties of a variety of Kv channels and that, when defective, can cause congenital and acquired disease in Homo sapiens. In Chinese hamster ovary cells, MPS-1 forms stable complexes with different alpha-subunits. The transmembrane domain of MPS-1 is necessary and sufficient for MPS-1 complex formation. The hydropathicity of the transmembrane domain is an important factor controlling MPS-1 assembly. A highly hydrophobic MPS-1 mutant fails to interact with its endogenous channel partners when transgenically expressed in living worms. The hydropathic mechanism does not require specific points of contact between interacting proteins. This may allow MPS-1 to assemble with various Kv channels, presumably modifying the electrical properties of each.     

Structural Basis for the Biological Effects of Pr(III) Ions: Alteration of Cell Membrane Permeability

The biological effects of rare-earth ions on the organism have been studied using Pr³⁺ as a probe ion and Escherichia coli cell as a target. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) observation of the surface of E. coli cells shows that the presence of Pr³⁺ substantially changes the structure of the outer membrane. By induced coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), more Cu²⁺ was found in the cells grown in the presence of Pr³⁺, indicating changes of cell permeability. Using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Ca²⁺ is found on the outer surface of the original cell. It is proposed that Pr³⁺ can replace Ca²⁺ from the binding sites because of their close ionic radii and similar ligand speciality.     

CO_2倍增对植物生长和土壤微生物生物量碳、氮的影响

关于大气ＣＯ２浓度倍增（即为７００μｍｏｌＣＯ２·ｍｏｌ－１空气）将对植物生长产生诸多影响,已有大量报道［１,２］。但ＣＯ２倍增对植物及所在土壤中微生物影响的研究甚少［３,４］。土壤微生物是陆地生态系统中最活跃的成分,担负着分解动植物残体的重要作用,...