Fractionation and quantitation of egg antigens from Schistosoma japonicum by the single-tube kinetic-dependent enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (k-ELISA): higher antigenic activity in urea-soluble than in aqueous-soluble fractions

To identify sources of high potency antigens for use in serodiagnosis, aqueous-soluble egg antigens from Schistosoma japonicum were extracted with Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline. Residual particulates were solubilized with Tris-buffered 8 M urea, yielding a urea-soluble egg antigen fraction. The urea-soluble fraction was further fractionated with Bio Gel A50m and QAE-Sephadex. All fractions were quantitatively assayed for their specific antigenic activities against serum specimens from infected rabbits by the single-tube enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (k-ELISA). In antigen rate-limiting conditions, the urea-soluble particulate fractions were more antigenically active than the aqueous-soluble fraction. In antigen-excess and antibody-limiting assay conditions, the ideal conditions for serologic assays, the urea-derived antigens also showed superior activities against sera from infected humans. Analysis by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) on gradient gels revealed numerous low molecular weight protein bands in the aqueous-soluble fraction, whereas the urea-soluble fractions appeared to be much simpler with the majority of their proteins concentrated in one or two high molecular weight bands (greater than or equal to 200 kdaltons). Electro-transfer blots of the SDS-PAGE onto nitrocellulose papers and subsequent visualization of antigens by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbence confirmed these findings. The above data suggest that the urea-soluble fraction of S. japonicum eggs is antigenically active and has potential use in the development of a diagnostic reagent.     

Modeling the Transmission of Middle East Respirator Syndrome Corona Virus in the Republic of Korea

The 2015 epidemic of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) in the Republic of Korea has been the largest outbreak outside Middle East. This epidemic had caused 185 laboratory-confirmed cases and 36 deaths in the Republic of Korea until September 2, 2015, which attracted public’s attention. Based on the detailed data of patients released by World Health Organization (WHO) and actual propagation of the epidemic, we construct two dynamical models to simulate the propagation processes from May 20 to June 8 and from June 9 to July 10, 2015, respectively and find that the basic reproduction number R ₀ reaches up to 4.422. The numerical analysis shows that the reasons of the outbreak spread quickly are lack of self-protection sense and targeted control measures. Through partial correction analysis, the parameters β ₁ and γ have strong correlations with R ₀, i.e., the infectivity and proportion of the asymptomatic infected cases have much influence on the spread of disease. By sensitivity analysis, strengthening self-protection ability of susceptible and quickly isolating or monitoring close contacts are effective measures to control the disease.     

YAP regulates periodontal ligament cell differentiation into myofibroblast interacted with RhoA/ROCK pathway

During orthodontic tooth movement (OTM), periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs) receive the mechanical stimuli and transform it into myofibroblasts (Mfbs). Indeed, previous studies have demonstrated that mechanical stimuli can promote the expression of Mfb marker α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in PDLCs. Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), as the target gene of yes-associated protein (YAP), has been proven to be involved in this process. Here, we sought to assess the role of YAP in Mfbs differentiation from PDLCs. The time-course expression of YAP and α-SMA was manifested in OTM model in vivo as well as under tensional stimuli in vitro. Inhibition of RhoA/Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) pathway using Y27632 significantly reduced tension-induced Mfb differentiation and YAP expression. Moreover, overexpression of YAP with lentiviral transfection in PDLCs rescued the repression effect of Mfb differentiation induced by Y27632. These data together suggest a crucial role of YAP in regulating tension-induced Mfb differentiation from PDLC interacted with RhoA/ROCK pathway.     

从国际非专利名称纵观全球生物药发展

生物药(bio-therapeutics)是指采用生物技术制备的、临床上用于疾病治疗的大分子生物制品,具有结构复杂、异质性高等特点,科学严谨的生物药通用名命名,是区分生物药物质基础的主要依据,也是药品生命周期管理的重要基础。世界卫生组织(World Health Organization,WHO)协调建立的国际非专利名称(International Nonproprietary Names,INN)是全球药物命名的标准化体系。从INN的起源,以及生物药INN的类别、发生与发展为主线,以较为详实的数据统计和分析,呈现了全球生物药的衍化进程,从不同的角度纵览生物药技术发展历程,对生物药的研发设计、技术标准及监管策略的考量均具有一定的参考意义。     

三株亚肉座菌乙酸乙酯提取物生物活性及GC-MS分析

采用乙酸乙酯提取3株亚肉座菌菌丝体,测试虫生真菌乙酸乙酯提取物（EAE）的抗肿瘤、抗菌和抗氧化活性,并借助GC-MS方法分析各提取物中的化学成分。结果发现2株亚肉座菌的菌丝体EAE对HepG2细胞的抑制活性较强,IC₅₀均小于9μmol/L;抗菌结果表明2株真菌的提取物具有抑制细菌生长的作用;1株供试菌的EAE表现出较强的DPPH自由基清除活性（清除率可达85%）。GC-MS分析表明从亚肉座菌JXJG201717、JXJG201720和ARSEF7697的EAE中分别鉴定出21、35和39种成分,主要成分为酯类、醇类和酸类;盘状亚肉座菌JXJG201720与ARSEF7697有相同化合物13个,与暹罗亚肉座菌JXJG201717存在7个相同化合物。本研究表明虫生亚肉座菌具有产生丰富活性成分的能力,彰显出多种利用价值。     

FHA2 is a plant-specific ISWI subunit responsible for stamen development and plant fertility

Imitation Switch (ISWI) chromatin remodelers are known to function in diverse multi‐subunit complexes in yeast and animals. However, the constitution and function of ISWI complexes in Arabidopsis thaliana remain unclear. In this study, we identified forkhead‐associated domain 2 (FHA2) as a plant‐specific subunit of an ISWI chromatin‐remodeling complex in Arabidopsis. By in vivo and in vitro analyses, we demonstrated that FHA2 directly binds to RLT1 and RLT2, two redundant subunits of the ISWI complex in Arabidopsis. The stamen filament is shorter in the fha2 and rlt1/2 mutants than in the wild type, whereas their pistil lengths are comparable. The shorter filament, which is due to reduced cell size, results in insufficient pollination and reduced fertility. The rlt1/2 mutant shows an early‐flowering phenotype, whereas the phenotype is not shared by the fha2 mutant. Consistent with the functional specificity of FHA2, our RNA‐seq analysis indicated that the fha2 mutant affects a subset of RLT1/2‐regulated genes that does not include genes involved in the regulation of flowering time. This study demonstrates that FHA2 functions as a previously uncharacterized subunit of the Arabidopsis ISWI complex and is exclusively involved in regulating stamen development and plant fertility.