CUDC-101, a histone deacetylase inhibitor,improves the in vitro and in vivo developmental competence of somatic cell nuclear transfer pig embryos

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of CUDC-101, a novel histone deacetylase inhibitor, on the in vitro development and expression of the epigenetic marker histone H3 at lysine 9 (AcH3K9) in pig SCNT embryos. We found that treatment with 1 μmol/L CUDC-101 for 24 hours significantly improved the development of pig SCNT embryos. Compared with the control group, the blastocyst rate was higher (18.5% vs. 10.3%; P < 0.05). To assess in vivo developmental potency, CUDC-101–treated SCNT embryos were transferred into two surrogate mothers, resulting in one pregnancy with six fetuses. We then investigated the acetylation level of histone H3K9 in SCNT embryos treated with CUDC-101 and compared them only against untreated embryos. The acetylation level of control SCNT embryos was lower than that of CUDC-101–treated embryos at pseudo-pronuclear stages, and immunofluorescent signal for H3K9ac in CUDC-101–treated embryos in a pattern similar to that of control group. In conclusion, we demonstrated that CUDC-101 can significantly improve in vitro and in vivo developmental competence and enhance the nuclear reprogramming of pig SCNT embryos.     

Overexpression of the soybean GmWNK1 altered the sensitivity to salt and osmotic stress in Arabidopsis

The WNK (With No Lysine K) serine-threonine kinases have been shown to be osmosensitive regulators and are critical for cell volume homeostasis in humans. We previously identified a soybean root-specific WNK homolog, GmWNK1, which is important for normal late root development by fine-tuning regulation of ABA levels. However, the functions of WNKs in plant osmotic stress response remains uncertain. In this study, we generated transgenic Arabidopsis plants with constitutive expression of GmWNK1. We found that these transgenic plants had increased endogenous ABA levels and altered expression of ABA-responsive genes, and exhibited a significantly enhanced tolerance to NaCl and osmotic stresses during seed germination and seedling development. These findings suggest that, in addition to regulating root development, GmWNK1 also regulates ABA-responsive gene expression and/or interacts with other stress related signals, thereby modulating osmotic stress responses. Thus, these results suggest that WNKs are members of an evolutionarily conserved kinase family that modulates cellular response to osmotic stresses in both animal and plants.     

Study of the reversal effect of NF449 on neuromuscular blockade induced by d-tubocurarine

AimsThe aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism for the reversal effect of NF449 (a suramin analogue) on the neuromuscular block induced by d-tubocurarine (d-TC).Main methodsNerve-stimulated muscle contractions and end-plate potentials were performed in mouse phrenic nerve-diaphragm preparations. Acetylcholine (ACh)-induced muscle contractions were performed in the chick biventer cervicis preparations. Presynaptic nerve terminal waveform recordings were performed in mouse triangularis sterni preparations.Key findingsAmongst the suramin analogues in this study, only the NF449 and suramin were able to reverse the blockade effect produced by d-TC on nerve-stimulated muscle contractions. Each of these suramin analogues (NF007, NF023, NF279 and NF449) alone has no significant effect on the amplitude of nerve-stimulated muscle contractions. NF449 and suramin also showed the antagonising effects on the inhibition of end-plate potentials induced by d-TC. Furthermore, pre-treatment with NF449 can antagonise the inhibition of d-TC in ACh-induced contractions of chick biventer cervicis muscle. NF449 produced a greater rightward shift of the dose–response inhibition curve for d-TC than did suramin. Because other purinergic 2X (P2X) receptor antagonists, NF023 and NF279, do not have the reverse effects on the neuromuscular blockade of d-TC, the effect of NF449 seems irrelevant to inhibition of P2X receptors.SignificanceThese data suggest that NF449 was able to compete with the binding of d-TC on the nicotinic ACh receptors, and the effect of NF449 was more potent than suramin in reducing the inhibition of d-TC. The structure of NF449 may provide useful information for designing potent antidotes against neuromuscular toxins.     

青海沙棘果粉抗氧化活性的研究

为了深入了解青海沙棘果粉的品质,助其实现规模化生产,从1,1-二苯基苦基苯肼自由基(DPPH·)体系、羟基自由基(·OH)体系、超氧阴离子自由基(O-2·)体系和亚硝酸盐(NO-2)的清除效果方面着手,研究了其体外清除自由基活性。结果表明,青海沙棘果粉对DPPH·、·OH、O-2·和NO-2均有清除作用,且对DPPH·、·OH的清除能力优于O-2·和NO-2。     

Differentiation of spermatogonial stem cell-like cells from murine testicular tissue into haploid male germ cells in vitro

In vitro differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) promotes the understanding of the mechanism of spermatogenesis. The purpose of this study was to isolate spermatogonial stem cell-like cells from murine testicular tissue, which then were induced into haploid germ cells by retinoic acid (RA). The spermatogonial stem cell-like cells were purified and enriched by a two-step plating method based on different adherence velocities of SSCs and somatic cells. Cell colonies were present after culture in M1-medium for 3 days. Through alkaline phosphatase, RT-PCR and indirect immunofluorescence cell analysis, cell colonies were shown to be SSCs. Subsequently, cell colonies of SSCs were cultured in M2-medium containing RA for 2 days. Then the cell colonies of SSCs were again cultured in M1-medium for 6–8 days, RT-PCR and indirect immunofluorescence cell analysis were chosen to detect haploid male germ cells. It could be demonstrated that 10⁻⁷ mol l⁻¹ of RA effectively induced the SSCs into haploid male germ cells in vitro.     

Nosocomial Infection in Adult Admissions with Hematological Malignancies Originating from Different Lineages: A Prospective Observational Study

Background

Nosocomial infection (NI) causes prolonged hospital stays, increased healthcare costs, and higher mortality among patients with hematological malignancies (HM). However, few studies have compared the incidence of NI according to the HM lineage.

Objective

To compare the incidence of NI according to the type of HM lineage, and identify the risk factors for NI.

Methods

This prospective observational study monitored adult patients with HM admitted for >48 hours to the General Hospital of the People''s Liberation Army during 2010–2013. Attack rates and incidences of NI were compared, and multivariable logistic regression was used to control for confounding effects.

Results

This study included 6,613 admissions from 1,922 patients. During these admissions, 1,023 acquired 1,136 NI episodes, with an attack rate of 15.47% and incidence of 9.6‰ (95% CI: 9.1–10.2). Higher rates and densities of NIs were observed among myeloid neoplasm (MN) admissions, compared to lymphoid neoplasm (LN) admissions (28.42% vs. 11.00%, P<0.001 and 11.4% vs. 8.4‰, P<0.001). NI attack rates in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasm (MDS/MPN) were higher than those in MDS (30.69% vs. 20.19%, P<0.001; 38.89% vs. 20.19%, P = 0.003). Attack rates in T/NK-cell neoplasm and B-cell neoplasm were higher than those in Hodgkin lymphoma (15.04% vs. 3.65%; 10.94% vs. 3.65%, P<0.001). Multivariable regression analysis indicated prolonged hospitalization, presence of central venous catheterization, neutropenia, current stem cell transplant, infection on admission, and old age were independently associated with higher NI incidence. After adjusting for these factors, MN admissions still had a higher risk of infection (odds ratio 1.34, 95% CI: 1.13–1.59, P<0.001).

Conclusion

Different NI attack rates were observed for HM from different lineages, with MN lineages having a higher attack rate and incidence than LN lineages. Special attention should be paid to MN admissions, especially AML and MDS/MPN admissions, to control NI incidence.     

北京市水果消费的生态足迹距离研究

采用生态足迹距离指标方法体系,对2009年至2012年间北京市水果消费的生态足迹距离进行研究。结果表明4年间:跨区转移的生态承载力质量距离,由2009年的11.5×10~8t km逐年增加到了2012年的17.01×10~8t km,共增加了47.91%;生态足迹距离则相对稳定在886.66 km至1073.55 km之间;人均生态足迹距离,总体上由2009年的4.39×10~4km增加到2012年的5.55×104km,共增加了26.42%。从类别的视角,年均生态足迹距离最大的是香蕉(2072 km),最小的是苹果(476 km);年均跨区转移的生物承载力质量距离,最大的是西瓜(4978×10~8kg km),最小的是香蕉(518×10~8kg km);而4年平均人均生态足迹距离,最大的是西瓜(17.7×10~4km),最小的是香蕉(1.92×10~4km)。快速城市化阶段的北京,对外生态依赖范围也迅速扩大,并高于人口增加的速率。     

微小根毛霉致病株的原生质体形成条件

建立了重要医学真菌──肺微小根毛霉的原生质体生成系统。采用溶细胞酶以及蜗牛酶与纤维素酶联合作用的方式获得了大量原生质体,处于指数生长期、生长旺盛的幼龄菌丝对破壁酶比生长缓慢或老龄菌丝更敏感;作为渗透压稳定剂,无机盐类要好于有机物;原生质体的较适生成温度为31℃。