Effects of Acetylcholine, Cytochalasin B and Amiprophosmethyl on Phloem Transport in Radish （Raphanus sativas）

We investigated the role of the ＂sieve tube-companion cell complex＂ lining the tube periphery, particularly the microfilament and microtubule, in assisting the pushing of phloem sap flow. We made a simple phloem transport system with a living radish plant, in which the conducting channel was exposed for local treatment with chemicals that are effective in modulating protoplasmic movement （acetylcholine, （ACh） a neurotransmitter in animals and insects; cytochalasin B, （CB） a specific inhibitor of many cellular responses that are mediated by microfilament systems and amiprophos-methyl, （APM） a specific inhibitor of many cellular responses that are mediated by microtubule systems）. Their effects on phloem transport were estimated by two experimental devices： （i） a comparison of changes in the amount of assimilates in terms of carbohydrates and ^14C-labeled photosynthetic production that is left in the leaf blade of treated plants; and （ii） distribution patterns of ^14C-labeled leaf assimilates in the phloem transport system. The results indicate that CB and APM markedly inhibited the transfer of photosynthetic product from leaf to root via the leaf vein, while ACh enhanced the transfer of photosynthetic product in low concentrations （5.0×10^-4 mol/L） but inhibited it in higher concentrations （2.0×10^-3 mol/L） from leaf to root via the leaf vein. Autoradiograph imaging clearly reveals that ACh treatment is more effective than the control, and both CB and APM treatments effectively inhibit the passage of radioactive assimilates. All of the results support the postulation that the peripheral protoplasm in the sieve tube serves not only as a passive semi-permeable membrane, but is also directly involved in phloem transport.     

Naturally Occurring Mutations Alter the Stability of Polycystin-1 Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Domains

Mutations in polycystin-1 (PC1) can cause autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, which is a leading cause of renal failure. The available evidence suggests that PC1 acts as a mechanosensor, receiving signals from the primary cilia, neighboring cells, and extracellular matrix. PC1 is a large membrane protein that has a long N-terminal extracellular region (about 3000 amino acids) with a multimodular structure including 16 Ig-like polycystic kidney disease (PKD) domains, which are targeted by many naturally occurring missense mutations. Nothing is known about the effects of these mutations on the biophysical properties of PKD domains. Here we investigate the effects of several naturally occurring mutations on the mechanical stability of the first PKD domain of human PC1 (HuPKDd1). We found that several missense mutations alter the mechanical unfolding pathways of HuPKDd1, resulting in distinct mechanical phenotypes. Moreover, we found that these mutations also alter the thermodynamic stability of a structurally homologous archaeal PKD domain. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that missense mutations may cause autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease by altering the stability of the PC1 ectodomain, thereby perturbing its ability to sense mechanical signals.     

Involvement of ABC transporters in melanogenesis and the development of multidrug resistance of melanoma

Because melanomas are intrinsically resistant to conventional radiotherapy and chemotherapy, many alternative treatment approaches have been developed such as biochemotherapy and immunotherapy. The most common cause of multidrug resistance (MDR) in human cancers is the expression and function of one or more A TP‐b inding c assette (ABC) transporters that efflux anticancer drugs from cells. Melanoma cells express a group of ABC transporters (such as ABCA9, ABCB1, ABCB5, ABCB8, ABCC1, ABCC2, and ABCD1) that may be associated with the resistance of melanoma cells to a broad range of anticancer drugs and/or of melanocytes to toxic melanin intermediates and metabolites. In this review, we propose a model (termed the ABC‐M model) in which the intrinsic MDR of melanoma cells is at least in part because of the transporter systems that may also play a critical role in reducing the cytotoxicity of the melanogenic pathway in melanocytes. The ABC‐M model suggests molecular strategies to reverse MDR function in the context of the melanogenic pathway, which could open therapeutic avenues towards the ultimate goal of circumventing clinical MDR in patients with melanoma.     

The use of intensity‐based Doppler variance method for single vessel response to functional neurovascular activation

This study presents 1 use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography technique to examine neurovascular coupling effect. Repeated B‐scans OCT recording is performed on the rat somatosensory cortex with cranial window preparation while its contralateral forepaw is electrically stimulated to activate the neurons in rest. We use an intensity‐based Doppler variance (IBDV) algorithm mapped cerebral blood vessels in the cortex, and the temporal alteration in blood perfusion during neurovascular activation is analyzed using the proposed IBDV quantitative parameters. By using principal component analysis‐based Fuzzy C Means clustering method, the stimulus‐evoked vasomotion patterns were classified into 3 categories. We found that the response time of small vessels (resting diameter 14.9 ±6.6 μm), middle vessels (resting diameter 21.1 ±7.9 μm) and large vessels (resting diameter 50.7 ±6.5 μm) to achieve 5% change of vascular dilation after stimulation was 1.5, 2 and 5.5 seconds, respectively. Approximately 5% peak change of relative blood flow (RBF) in both small and middle vessels was observed. The large vessels react slowly and their responses nearly 4 seconds delayed, but no significant change in RBF of the large vessels was seen.      

油脂废水生物处理研究进展

目前,油脂降解在常规的废水生物处理工艺中没有得到充分重视,造成反应器的处理效率大大降低,因此成熟有效的油脂降解生物处理技术开发与应用有待于深入探讨.本文系统阐述了废水处理过程中油脂的生物降解途径与机理,重点总结了油脂降解途径中油脂水解与长链脂肪酸降解涉及的功能微生物研究等最新进展,简要介绍了部分学者根据功能微生物的生境差别开发的一系列新型处理工艺,并在此基础上展望了油脂降解技术研究的重点突破方向,希望能为该工艺的发展提供理论指导.     

Complete genome sequence of the bacterium Ketogulonicigenium vulgare Y25

Ketogulonicigenium vulgare is characterized by the efficient production of 2KGA from L-sorbose. Ketogulonicigenium vulgare Y25 is known as a 2-keto-L-gulonic acid-producing strain in the vitamin C industry. Here we report the finished, annotated genome sequence of Ketogulonicigenium vulgare Y25.     

骨桥蛋白通过调控MMP-2和VEGF参与肝癌细胞侵袭的机制研究

目的：骨桥蛋白（Osteopontin,OPN）在肝癌细胞侵袭中的作用机制。方法：采用siRNA干涉的方法处理人肝癌细胞,用PCR和Western-blot法检测OPN的表达;用transwell小室检测不同处理后的HepG2和MHCC97H细胞的侵袭能力;采用Western．b1．ot和ELISA方法检测基质金属蛋白酶-2（matrixmetalloproteinase-2,MMP-2）和血管内皮生长因子（vascularendothelialgrowthfactor,VEGF）蛋白表达和活力的变化情况。结果：在不同肝癌细胞系中,随着肝癌细胞系侵袭能力的增强,OPN的表达逐渐增高。siRNA可以降低HepG2和MHCC97H细胞中OPN的表达,并且能够降低HepG2和MHCC97H细胞的侵袭能力;抑制OPN的表达能够降低MMP-2和VEGF蛋白表达和蛋白活性。结论：OPN在肝癌侵袭过程中起着重要作用,其作用机制可能是通过调控MMP-2和VEGF蛋白表达和活性来参与肝癌的侵袭,OPN可作为肝癌侵袭转移治疗的新靶点。     

曲美他嗪对大鼠放射性心肌损伤后TNF-α表达的影响

目的:放射性心肌损伤是纵膈及胸腔等部位恶性肿瘤放射治疗后发生的严重并发症,目前尚无有效防治方法,而本实验拟探索曲美他嗪对放射性心肌损伤的保护作用。方法:将45只SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组(C组)、单纯照射组(X组)、曲美他嗪治疗组(T组),每组15只,其中X组、T组予以10 Gy/d,共3天。大鼠照射完毕处死后测定血清cTnI浓度,心肌组织TNF-αmRNA及蛋白的表达。结果:1.X组与C组相比,血清cTnI浓度,心肌组织TNF-αmRNA及蛋白的表达均明显升高(P0.05);2.T组与C组相比,血清cTnI浓度,心肌组织TNF-αmRNA及蛋白的表达均明显升高(P0.05);3.T组与X组相比,血清cTnI浓度,心肌组织TNF-αmRNA及蛋白的表达均明显降低(P0.05)。结论:曲美他嗪能够通过减少心肌组织TNF-αmRNA及蛋白的表达,从而有效减轻大鼠放射后心脏炎症反应,以减轻心肌损伤。     

P2Y12 antagonist attenuates eosinophilic inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness in a mouse model of asthma

Leukotriene E4 (LTE4) that plays a key role in airway inflammation is expressed on platelets and eosinophils. We investigated whether blocking of the P2Y12 receptor can suppress eosinophilic inflammation in a mouse model of asthma because platelets and eosinophils share this receptor to be activated. BALB/c mice were sensitized by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin (OVA), followed by OVA nebulization. On each challenge day, clopidogrel, a P2Y12 antagonist was administered 30 min. before each challenge. Forty‐eight hours after the last OVA challenge, mice were assessed for airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), cell composition and cytokine levels, including chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5), in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. EOL cells were treated with LTE4, with or without clopidogrel treatment, and intracellular and extracellular eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) expressions were measured to find the inhibiting function of P2Y12 antagonist on eosinophilic activation. The levels of P2Y12 expression were increased markedly in the lung homogenates of OVA‐sensitized and ‐challenged mice after platelet depletion. Administration of clopidogrel decreased AHR and the number of airway inflammatory cells, including eosinophils, in BAL fluid following OVA challenge. These results were associated with decreased levels of Th2 cytokines and CCL5. Histological examination showed that inflammatory cells as well as mucus‐containing goblet cells were reduced in clopidogrel‐administered mice compared to vehicle‐treated mice. Clopidogrel inhibited extracellular ECP secretion after LTE4 stimulation in EOL‐1 cells. Clopidogrel could prevent development of AHR and airway inflammation in a mouse model of asthma. P2Y12 can be a novel therapeutic target to the suppression of eosinophils in asthma.