MBL-Mediated Opsonophagocytosis of Candida albicans by Human Neutrophils Is Coupled with Intracellular Dectin-1-Triggered ROS Production

Mannan-binding lectin (MBL), a lectin homologous to C1q, greatly facilitates C3/C4-mediated opsonophagocytosis of Candida albicans (C. albicans) by human neutrophils, and has the capacity to bind to CR1 (CD35) expressed on circulating neutrophils. The intracellular pool of neutrophil Dectin-1 plays a critical role in stimulating the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation through recognition of β-1,3-glucan component of phagocytized zymosan or yeasts. However, little is known about whether MBL can mediate the opsonophagocytosis of Candida albicans by neutrophils independent of complement activation, and whether MBL-mediated opsonophagocytosis influence the intracellular expression of Dectin-1 and ROS production. Here we showed that the inhibited phagocytic efficiency of neutrophils as a result of blockage of Dectin-1 was compensated by exogenous MBL alone in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the expressions of Dectin-1 at mRNA and intracellular protein levels were significantly up-regulated in neutrophils stimulated by MBL-pre-incubated C. albicans, while the expression of surface Dectin-1 remained almost unchanged. Nevertheless, the stimulated ROS production in neutrophils was partly and irreversibly inhibited by blockage of Dectin-1 in the presence of exogenous MBL. Confocal microscopy examination showed that intracellular Dectin-1 was recruited and co-distributed with ROS on the surface of some phagocytized yeasts. The β-1,3-glucanase digestion test further suggested that the specific recognition and binding site of human Dectin-1 is just the β-1,3-glucan moiety on the cell wall of C. albicans. These data demonstrate that MBL has an ability to mediate the opsonophagocytosis of Candida albicans by human neutrophils independent of complement activation, which is coupled with intracellular Dectin-1-triggered ROS production.     

Synthesis, characterization, solid-state photo-luminescence and anti-tumor activity of zinc(II) 4′-phenyl-terpyridine compounds

Reactions between 4′-phenyl-terpyridine (L) and several Zn(II) salts (sulfate, nitrate, chloride or acetate) led to the formation of the complexes [Zn₂(μ-O₂SO₂)₂L₂(CH₃OH)₂] (1), [Zn(NO₃)L(H₂O)]NO₃ (2), [Zn(Cl)₂L] (3) and [Zn(CH₃COO)₂L] (4) which were characterized by IR, ¹H NMR and fluorescence spectroscopies, elemental analysis and single crystal X-ray diffraction. In the dinuclear molecule of 1 the Zn atom is hexacoordinated, with a N₃O₃ coordination environment and forms an octagonal ZnOSOZnOSO metallacycle. In the remaining structures, the metal atom is envisaged as possessing highly distorted N₃X₂ (X = O or Cl) square pyramid coordination geometries. The structure of 3 presents two different packing patterns which lead to distinct π-π stackings. In both structures 2 and 4, strong intermolecular hydrogen bonds were identified. The complexes exhibit promising in vitro tumor-inhibiting activities, which are higher than that of cisplatin, against the following human tumor cell lines: promyelocyticfina leukaemia (HL-60), hepatocellular carcinoma (Bel-7402), gastric carcinoma (BGC-823) and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (KB).     

Multicolor Melting Curve Analysis-Based Multilocus Melt Typing of Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is the leading cause of seafood-borne gastroenteritis outbreaks. To track the source of these diseases in a timely manner, a high throughput typing method is critical. We hereby describe a novel genotyping method for V. parahaemolyticus, termed multilocus melt typing (MLMT), based on multilocus sequence typing (MLST). MLMT utilizes melting curve analysis to interrogate the allelic types of a set of informative single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) derived from the housekeeping genes used in MLST. For each SNP, one allelic type generates distinct T_m values, which are converted into a binary code. Multiple SNPs thus generate a series of binary codes, forming a melt type (MT) corresponding with a sequence type (ST) of MLST. Using a set of 12 SNPs, the MLMT scheme could resolve 218 V.parahaemolyticus isolates into 50 MTs corresponding with 56 STs. The discriminatory power of MLMT and MLST was similar with Simpson’s index of diversity of 0.638 and 0.646, respectively. The global (adjusted Rand index = 0.982) and directional congruence (adjusted Wallace coefficient, MT→ST = 0.965; ST→MT = 1.000) between the two typing approaches was high. The entire procedure of MLMT could be finished within 3 h with negligible hands on time in a real-time PCR machine. We conclude that MLMT provides a reliable and efficient approach for V. parahaemolyticus genotyping and might also find use in other pathogens.     

Impact of chronic fructose infusion on hepatic metabolism during TPN administration

During chronic total parenteral nutrition (TPN), net hepatic glucose uptake (NHGU) is markedly elevated. However, NHGU is reduced by the presence of an infection. We recently demonstrated that a small, acute (3-h) intraportal fructose infusion can correct the infection-induced impairment in NHGU. The aim of this study was to determine whether the addition of fructose to the TPN persistently enhances NHGU in the presence of an infection. TPN was infused continuously into the inferior vena cava of chronically catheterized dogs for 5 days. On day 3, a bacterial clot was implanted in the peritoneal cavity, and either saline (CON, n = 5) or fructose (+FRUC, 1.0 mg. kg(-1). min(-1), n = 6) infusion was included with the TPN. Forty-two hours after the infection was induced, hepatic glucose metabolism was assessed in conscious dogs with arteriovenous and tracer methods. Arterial plasma glucose concentration was lower with chronic fructose infusion (120 +/- 4 vs. 131 +/- 3 mg/dl, +FRUC vs. CON, P < 0.05); however, NHGU was not enhanced (2.2 +/- 0.5 vs. 2.8 +/- 0.4 mg. kg(-1). min(-1)). Acute removal of the fructose infusion dramatically decreased NHGU (2.2 +/- 0.5 to -0.2 +/- 0.5 mg. kg(-1). min(-1)), and net hepatic lactate release also fell (1.6 +/- 0.3 to 0.5 +/- 0.3 mg. kg(-1). min(-1)). This led to an increase in the arterial plasma glucose (Delta13 +/- 3 mg/dl, P < 0.05) and insulin (Delta5 +/- 2 micro U/ml) concentrations and to a decrease in glucagon (Delta-11 +/- 3 pg/ml) concentration. In conclusion, the addition of chronic fructose infusion to TPN during infection does not lead to a persistent augmentation of NHGU.     

玉米赤霉烯酮脱毒菌PA26-7的分离鉴定及其应用效果评价

【背景】玉米赤霉烯酮(zearalenone,ZEN)是广泛污染粮谷类作物的一种雌激素类真菌毒素,不仅给农业经济带来巨大损失,还能通过食物链对人和动物健康造成危害。【目的】从微生态制剂中筛选获得能够高效降解玉米赤霉烯酮的菌株,优化其脱毒条件,测定其在饲料中的实际脱毒效果及对饲料中植酸、维生素含量变化的影响。【方法】从微生态制剂中分离出玉米赤霉烯酮降解菌,通过细胞计数试剂盒-8 (cell counting kit-8, CCK-8)测定菌株降解玉米赤霉烯酮产物的细胞毒性和雌激素活性,通过高效液相色谱法测定分离株在培养基和饲料中的解毒效果,以及分离株在霉变的豆粕、麸皮和成品饲料中固态发酵前后维生素的含量变化,通过三氯化铁比色法测定饲料脱毒前后植酸的含量变化。【结果】从微生态制剂中筛选出一株通过分泌胞外酶高效降解玉米赤霉烯酮的贝莱斯芽孢杆菌(Bacillus velezensis) PA26-7,该菌株在培养基起始pH 4.0-8.0、培养温度25-60℃条件下均可降解玉米赤霉烯酮,产物的细胞毒性和雌激素活性均较ZEN弱。PA26-7经固态发酵72h后,饲料原料(豆粕和麸皮)及霉变的成品鸡...     

土壤镉污染与作物

通过土壤镉污染对作物影响的盆栽模拟试验,以揭示重金属镉在土壤—植物系统中的转移、分布规律及其对植物生长、发育的影响。试验证明不同化合形态的镉施入土壤(砂壤质褐土,pH值8.2),水稻对镉吸收的多寡依次为CdCl2>CdSO4>CdO>CdS>CdCO3。白菜的镉吸收表现为CdSO4>CdCl2>CdO>CdCO3。土壤的不同镉浓度(施加CdCl2,以纯镉计)对作物影响的试验结果表明,可食部位达到食品污染标准(谷物含镉量0.4ppm、蔬菜0.2ppm为暂定标准)时的土壤镉污染临界值分别为：小麦、莴苣、白菜<1ppm,茄子、萝卜<2.5ppm,番茄、菜豆<20ppm。土壤因子的处理影响镉的活动性;降低土壤pH值,水稻的镉吸收增加。增施有机肥、ZnSO4、S、CaO、CaSO4可降低糙米含镉量13.4%一30%。白菜的镉吸收,由于增施有机肥、FeSO4、Fe2O3、CaO或S而降低菜叶含镉量28%一61%。以Cd,Zn比1:100或1:200施入土壤,叶内含镉量分别下降61%和76.4%,但白菜产量减少61%和76%。     

Route-dependent effect of nutritional support on liver glucose uptake

The liver is a major site of glucose disposal during chronic (5 day) total parenteral (TPN) and enteral (TEN) nutrition. Net hepatic glucose uptake (NHGU) is dependent on the route of delivery when only glucose is delivered acutely; however, the hepatic response to chronic TPN and TEN is very similar. We aimed to determine whether the route of nutrient delivery altered the acute (first 8 h) response of the liver and whether chronic enteral delivery of glucose alone could augment the adaptive response to TPN. Chronically catheterized conscious dogs received either TPN or TEN containing glucose, Intralipid, and Travasol for either 8 h or 5 days. Another group received TPN for 5 days, but approximately 50% of the glucose in the nutrition was given via the enteral route (TPN+EG). Hepatic metabolism was assessed with tracer and arteriovenous difference techniques. In the presence of similar arterial plasma glucose levels (approximately 6 mM), NHGU and net hepatic lactate release increased approximately twofold between 8 h and 5 days in TPN and TEN. NHGU (26 +/- 1 vs. 23 +/- 3 micromol.kg(-1).min(-1)) and net hepatic lactate release (44 +/- 1 vs. 34 +/- 6 micromol.kg(-1).min(-1)) in TPN+EG were similar to results for TPN, despite lower insulin levels (96 +/- 6 vs. 58 +/- 16 pM, TPN vs. TPN+EG). TEN does not acutely enhance NHGU or disposition above that seen with TPN. However, partial delivery of enteral glucose is effective in decreasing the insulin requirement during chronic TPN.