北盘江大峡谷流域浮游生物资源调查及多样性分析

为探究北盘江大峡谷流域内浮游生物群落组成及多样性情况,于2017年10月对该流域进行浮游生物调查及多样性分析.结果表明该流域内浮游植物共有7门40属61种、其中绿藻门、硅藻门和蓝藻门种类分别为21种、19种和12种,分别占到34.43％、31.15％和19.67％,浮游植物平均密度为4 298.33(375～9 500)ind./L,Shannon-Wiener藻类生物多样性指数均处于1和2之间;浮游动物3门12属21种,其中轮虫类、枝角类和桡足类种类分别为11种、5种和5种,各占到52.38％、23.81％和23.81％,浮游动物平均密度为436.11(55～1 437.5)ind./L,Shannon-Wiener生物多样性指数均处于1和2之间.本研究结果该地区水生生物资源积累了本底资料.     

Novel benzimidazole derivatives as selective CB2 agonists

The preparation and evaluation of a novel class of CB2 agonists based on a benzimidazole moiety are reported. They showed binding affinities up to 1nM towards the CB2 receptor with partial to full agonist potencies. They also demonstrated good to excellent selectivity (>1000-fold) over the CB1 receptor.     

EBV裂解复制周期调控机制研究新进展

EBV与许多恶性疾病包括霍奇金病、伯基特淋巴瘤、鼻咽癌等恶性肿瘤发病有关人类B淋巴细胞是EBV天然宿主,其在宿主细胞中的生活周期分为潜伏感染和裂解感染。EBV潜伏感染时,为逃避宿主细胞的免疫杀伤,仅表达少量基因产物。而在外界条件如化学、物理或宿主细胞分化的刺激下,EBV可由潜伏感染进入到裂解复制(Lytic Replication)感染周期,促进病毒在宿主细胞中播散。根据EBV裂解复制产物出现的时间顺序可将裂解复制周期分为裂解复制立即早期、早期和晚期。1 EBV裂解复制不同时期产物的调控作用     

A novel far-red bimolecular fluorescence complementation system that allows for efficient visualization of protein interactions under physiological conditions

Fluorescent protein (FP) has enabled the analysis of biomolecular interactions in living cells, and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) represents one of the newly developed imaging technologies to directly visualize protein–protein interactions in living cells. Although 10 different FPs that cover a broad range of spectra have been demonstrated to support BiFC, only Cerulean (cyan FP variant), Citrine and Venus (yellow FP variants)-based BiFC systems can be used under 37 °C physiological temperature. The sensitivity of two mRFP-based red BiFC systems to higher temperatures (i.e., 37 °C) limits their applications in most mammalian cell-based studies. Here we report that mLumin, a newly isolated far-red fluorescent protein variant of mKate with an emission maximum of 621 nm, enables BiFC analysis of protein–protein interactions at 37 °C in living mammalian cells. Furthermore, the combination of mLumin with Cerulean- and Venus-based BiFC systems allows for simultaneous visualization of three pairs of protein–protein interactions in the same cell. The mLumin-based BiFC system will facilitate simultaneous visualization of multiple protein–protein interactions in living cells and offer the potential to visualize protein–protein interactions in living animals.     

3D Si/C Fiber Paper Electrodes Fabricated Using a Combined Electrospray/Electrospinning Technique for Li‐Ion Batteries

Although the theoretical capacity of silicon is ten times higher than that of graphite, the overall electrode capacity of Si anodes is still low due to the low Si loading and heavy metal current collector. Here, a novel flexible 3D Si/C fiber paper electrode synthesized by simultaneously electrospraying nano‐Si‐PAN (polyacrylonitrile) clusters and electrospinning PAN fibers followed by carbonization is reported. The combined technology allows uniform incorporation of Si nanoparticles into a carbon textile matrix to form a nano‐Si/carbon composite fiber paper. The flexible 3D Si/C fiber paper electrode demonstrate a very high overall capacity of ≈1600 mAh g^‐1 with capacity loss less than 0.079% per cycle for 600 cycles and excellent rate capability. The exceptional performance is attributed to the unique architecture of the flexible 3D Si/C fiber paper, i.e., the resilient and conductive carbon fiber network matrix, carbon‐coated Si nanoparticle clusters, strong adhesion between carbon fibers and Si nanoparticle clusters, and uniform distribution of Si/C clusters in the carbon fiber frame. The scalable and facile synthesis method, good mechanical properties, and excellent electrochemical performance at a high Si loading make the flexible 3D Si/C fiber paper batteries extremely attractive for plug‐in electric vehicles, flexible electronics, space exploration, and military applications.     

Paradoxical Effects of All-Trans-Retinoic Acid on Lupus-Like Disease in the MRL/lpr Mouse Model

Roles of all-trans-retinoic acid (tRA), a metabolite of vitamin A (VA), in both tolerogenic and immunogenic responses are documented. However, how tRA affects the development of systemic autoimmunity is poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that tRA have paradoxical effects on the development of autoimmune lupus in the MRL/lpr mouse model. We administered, orally, tRA or VA mixed with 10% of tRA (referred to as VARA) to female mice starting from 6 weeks of age. At this age, the mice do not exhibit overt clinical signs of lupus. However, the immunogenic environment preceding disease onset has been established as evidenced by an increase of total IgM/IgG in the plasma and expansion of lymphocytes and dendritic cells in secondary lymphoid organs. After 8 weeks of tRA, but not VARA treatment, significantly higher pathological scores in the skin, brain and lung were observed. These were accompanied by a marked increase in B-cell responses that included autoantibody production and enhanced expression of plasma cell-promoting cytokines. Paradoxically, the number of lymphocytes in the mesenteric lymph node decreased with tRA that led to significantly reduced lymphadenopathy. In addition, tRA differentially affected renal pathology, increasing leukocyte infiltration of renal tubulointerstitium while restoring the size of glomeruli in the kidney cortex. In contrast, minimal induction of inflammation with tRA in the absence of an immunogenic environment in the control mice was observed. Altogether, our results suggest that under a predisposed immunogenic environment in autoimmune lupus, tRA may decrease inflammation in some organs while generating more severe disease in others.     

High-Density Genetic Linkage Map Construction and QTL Mapping of Grain Shape and Size in the Wheat Population Yanda1817 × Beinong6

High-density genetic linkage maps are necessary for precisely mapping quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling grain shape and size in wheat. By applying the Infinium iSelect 9K SNP assay, we have constructed a high-density genetic linkage map with 269 F ₈ recombinant inbred lines (RILs) developed between a Chinese cornerstone wheat breeding parental line Yanda1817 and a high-yielding line Beinong6. The map contains 2431 SNPs and 128 SSR & EST-SSR markers in a total coverage of 3213.2 cM with an average interval of 1.26 cM per marker. Eighty-eight QTLs for thousand-grain weight (TGW), grain length (GL), grain width (GW) and grain thickness (GT) were detected in nine ecological environments (Beijing, Shijiazhuang and Kaifeng) during five years between 2010–2014 by inclusive composite interval mapping (ICIM) (LOD≥2.5). Among which, 17 QTLs for TGW were mapped on chromosomes 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 3D, 4A, 4D, 5A, 5B and 6B with phenotypic variations ranging from 2.62% to 12.08%. Four stable QTLs for TGW could be detected in five and seven environments, respectively. Thirty-two QTLs for GL were mapped on chromosomes 1B, 1D, 2A, 2B, 2D, 3B, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4D, 5A, 5B, 6B, 7A and 7B, with phenotypic variations ranging from 2.62% to 44.39%. QGl.cau-2A.2 can be detected in all the environments with the largest phenotypic variations, indicating that it is a major and stable QTL. For GW, 12 QTLs were identified with phenotypic variations range from 3.69% to 12.30%. We found 27 QTLs for GT with phenotypic variations ranged from 2.55% to 36.42%. In particular, QTL QGt.cau-5A.1 with phenotypic variations of 6.82–23.59% was detected in all the nine environments. Moreover, pleiotropic effects were detected for several QTL loci responsible for grain shape and size that could serve as target regions for fine mapping and marker assisted selection in wheat breeding programs.     

Region-Oriented and Staged Treatment Strategy in Reconstruction of Severe Cervical Contracture

Introduction

Severe cervical contracture after burns causes obvious impairment of neck movement and the aesthetic silhouette. Although various surgical techniques for treatment have been described, there is not a definitive strategy to guide treatment. Over the past 6 years, we have been utilizing a region-oriented and staged treatment strategy to guide reconstruction of severe cervical contracture. Satisfactory results have been achieved with this strategy.

Methods

The first stage of treatment focuses on the anterior cervical region and submental region. Procedures include cicatrix resection, contracture release, division and elevation of the platysma to form two platysma flaps, and skin grafting. Three to six months later, the second stage treatment is performed, which localize to the mental region. This includes scar resection, correction of the lower lip eversion, and reconstruction with free (para)scapular skin flap. Three subtypes of cervicomental angle that we proposed were measured as quantitative tool for evaluation of the reconstruction.

Results

24 patients who completed the treatment were reviewed. By the 3rd postoperative month, their CM angles changed significantly: the soft tissue CM angle was reduced from 135.0° ± 17.3° to 111.1° ± 11.3°, the osseous CM angle increased from 67.1° ± 9.0° to 90.5° ± 11.6° and the dynamic CM angle increased from 21.9° ± 8.7° to 67.4° ± 13.1°. 22 in 24 (91.7%) of these patients gained notable improvement of cervical motion and aesthetic contour.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the region-oriented and staged treatment strategy can achieve satisfactory functional and aesthetic results, combining usage of both skin graft and skin flap while minimizing the donor site morbidity.     

NMDA Receptor Antagonist Attenuates Bleomycin-Induced Acute Lung Injury

Background

Glutamate is a major neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS). Large amount of glutamate can overstimulate N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), causing neuronal injury and death. Recently, NMDAR has been reported to be found in the lungs. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of memantine, a NMDAR channel blocker, on bleomycin-induced lung injury mice.

Methods

C57BL/6 mice were intratracheally injected with bleomycin (BLM) to induce lung injury. Mice were randomized to receive saline, memantine (Me), BLM, BLM plus Me. Lungs and BALF were harvested on day 3 or 7 for further evaluation.

Results

BLM caused leukocyte infiltration, pulmonary edema and increase in cytokines, and imposed significant oxidative stress (MDA as a marker) in lungs. Memantine significantly mitigated the oxidative stress, lung inflammatory response and acute lung injury caused by BLM. Moreover, activation of NMDAR enhances CD11b expression on neutrophils.

Conclusions

Memantine mitigates oxidative stress, lung inflammatory response and acute lung injury in BLM challenged mice.