Response of osteoblasts to low fluid shear stress is time dependent

The process of mechanotransduction of bone, the conversion of a mechanical stimulus into a biochemical response, is known to occur in osteoblasts in response to fluid shear stress. In order to understand the reaction of osteoblasts to various times of flow perfusion, osteoblasts were seeded on three-dimensional scaffolds, and cultured in the following conditions: continuous flow perfusion, intermittent flow perfusion, and static condition. We collected samples on day 4, 8 and 12 for analysis. Osteoblast proliferation was demonstrated by cell proliferation and scanning electron microscopy assay. Additionally, the expression of known markers of differentiation, including alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin, were tested by qRT-PCR and alkaline phosphatase activity assay, and the deposition of calcium was used as an indicator of mineralization demonstrated by calcium content assay. The results supported that low fluid shear stress plays an important role in the activation of osteoblasts: enhance cell proliferation, increase calcium deposition, and promote the expression of osteoblastic markers. Furthermore, the continuous flow perfusion is a more favorable environment for the initiation of osteoblast activity compared with intermittent flow perfusion. Therefore, the force and time of fluid shear stress are important parameters for osteoblast activation.     

Coexistence of diploid, triploid and tetraploid crucian carp (Carassius auratus) in natural waters

Background

Crucian carp (abbreviated CC) belongs to the genus of Carassius within the family of Cyprinidae. It has been one of the most important freshwater species for Chinese aquaculture and is especially abundant in the Dongting water system of Hunan province. CC used to be considered as all diploid forms. However, coexistence of diploid (abbreviated 2nCC), triploid (abbreviated 3nCC) and tetraploid crucian carp (abbreviated 4nCC) population of the Dongting water system was first found by our recently researches.

Results

We examined the ploidy level and compared biological characteristics in different ploidy CC. In reproductive mode, 2nCC was bisexual generative and 4nCC generated all-female offspring by gynogenesis. However, 3nCC generated progenies in two different ways. 3nCC produced bisexual triploid offspring fertilized with 3nCC spermatozoa, while it produced all-female triploid offspring by gynogenesis when its ova were activated by heterogenous spermatozoa. The complete mitochondrial DNA of three different ploidy fishes was sequenced and analyzed, suggesting no significant differences. Interestingly, microchromosomes were found only in 3nCC, which were concluded to be the result of hybridization. Allogenetic DNA fragments of Sox genes were obtained in 3nCC and 4nCC, which were absent in 2nCC. Phylogenetics analysis based on Sox4 gene indicated 3nCC and 4nCC formed a separate group from 2nCC.

Conclusions

In summary, this is the first report of the co-existence of three types of different ploidy crucian carps in natural waters in China. It was proved that the coexistence of different ploidy CC was reproductively maintained. We further hypothesized that 3nCC and 4nCC were allopolyploids that resulted from hybridization. The different ploidy CC population we obtained in this study possesses great significance for the study of polyploidization and the evolution of vertebrates.     

Structural effect of a recombinant monoclonal antibody on hinge region peptide bond hydrolysis

IgG hinge region peptide bonds are susceptible to degradation by hydrolysis. To study the effect of Fab and Fc on hinge region peptide bond hydrolysis, a recombinant humanized monoclonal IgG1 antibody, its F(ab')2 fragment, and a model peptide with amino acid sequence corresponding to the hinge region were incubated at 40 degrees C in formulation buffer including complete protease inhibitor and EDTA for 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks. Two major cleavage sites were identified in the hinge region of the intact recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody and its F(ab')2 fragment, but only one major cleavage site of the model peptide was identified. Hinge region peptide bond hydrolysis of the intact antibody and its F(ab')2 fragment degraded at comparable rates, while the model peptide degraded much faster. It was concluded that Fab region of the IgG, but not Fc portion had significant effect on preventing peptide bond cleavage by direct hydrolysis. Hydrolysis of hinge region peptide bonds was accelerated under both acidic and basic conditions.     

黑痣菌属Phyllachora三个中国新记录

报道中国黑痣菌属3个新记录种,即小黑痣菌Phyllachora minutissima、宽椭圆黑痣菌Phyllachora platyelliptica和相邻黑痣菌Phyllachora contigua,寄主分别是白草,苞子草和崖豆藤,对其进行了描述;标本保藏于云南农业大学真菌标本室(MHYAU).     

Host cellular signaling induced by influenza virus

A wide range of host cellular signal transduction pathways can be stimulated by influenza virus infection. Some of these signal transduction pathways induce the host cell’s innate immune response against influenza virus, while others are essential for efficient influenza virus replication. This review examines the cellular signaling induced by influenza virus infection in host cells, including host pattern recognition receptor (PRR)-related signaling, protein kinase C (PKC), Raf/MEK/ERK and phosphatidylinositol- 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling, and the corresponding effects on the host cell and/or virus, such as recognition of virus by the host cell, viral absorption and entry, viral ribonucleoprotein (vRNP) export, translation control of cellular and viral proteins, and virus-induced cell apoptosis. Research into influenza virus-induced cell signaling promotes a clearer understanding of influenza virus-host interactions and assists in the identification of novel antiviral targets and antiviral strategies.     

猪血粉分离氨基酸的研究

本文报道了从猪血粉中提取分离七种氨基酸(L—Phe、L—Tyr、L—His·HCl、L—lys·HAC、L—Arg·HCl、L—leu、L—Val)的小试工艺。通过合成一系列专用树脂(AAS—1、AAS—2、D083)对现行工艺脱酸、脱色及层析分离等过程作了较大改进,使猪血粉分离氨基酸的生产工艺全部树脂化,并使氨基酸收率大幅度提高。经周期性实验,每批投料130g猪血粉,七种氨基酸总回收率平均达34.9%。(占血粉量)。经自检产品质量基本符合注射用结晶氨基酸原料标准。     

Characterization of the tunicamycin gene cluster unveiling unique steps involved in its biosynthesis

Tunicamycin, a potent reversible translocase I inhibitor, is produced by several Actinomycetes species. The tunicamycin structure is highly unusual, and contains an 11-carbon dialdose sugar and an α, β-1″,11′-glycosidic linkage. Here we report the identification of a gene cluster essential for tunicamycin biosynthesis by high-throughput heterologous expression (HHE) strategy combined with a bioassay. Introduction of the genes into heterologous non-producing Streptomyces hosts results in production of tunicamycin by these strains, demonstrating the role of the genes for the biosynthesis of tunicamycins. Gene disruption experiments coupled with bioinformatic analysis revealed that the tunicamycin gene cluster is minimally composed of 12 genes (tunA– tunL). Amongst these is a putative radical SAM enzyme (Tun B) with a potentially unique role in biosynthetic carbon-carbon bond formation. Hence, a seven-step novel pathway is proposed for tunicamycin biosynthesis. Moreover, two gene clusters for the potential biosynthesis of tunicamycin-like antibiotics were also identified in Streptomyces clavuligerus ATCC 27064 and Actinosynnema mirums DSM 43827. These data provide clarification of the novel mechanisms for tunicamycin biosynthesis, and for the generation of new-designer tunicamycin analogs with selective/enhanced bioactivity via combinatorial biosynthesis strategies.     

湛江棕囊藻对南美白对虾虾苗和多种鱼苗的毒性研究

测定了湛江棕囊藻赤潮海水和棕囊藻(Phaeocystis globosa)对南美白对虾(Penaeus vannamei Boone)虾苗、青石斑鱼(Epinephelus awoara)、鲻鱼(Mugil cephalus)和尖吻鲈鱼(Latescal carifer)鱼苗的毒性。结果表明,棕囊藻对虾苗有一定的毒性,24 h LC50为1.0×109 cells L-1,去除囊泡液后的棕囊藻碎片对虾苗毒性较弱,细胞密度为1.0×109 cells L-1时,24 h虾苗的死亡率仅为10%,赤潮海水对虾苗无毒性;棕囊藻囊泡液对青石斑鱼有一定毒性,24 h LC50为囊泡液占海水总体积的10.9%,赤潮海水对青石斑鱼苗无毒性;棕囊藻对尖吻鲈鱼和鲻鱼鱼苗无毒性。     

青藏高原隆升的气候环境效应与脊椎动物演化模式*

在青藏高原逐渐形成的过程中, 本地区的现代生物多样性塑造受到其巨大的影响, 与此同时, 许多起源于高原的物种甚至现代广布类群祖先的洲际扩散也由其驱动。在中生代时期, 青藏高原今天所处的地区覆盖着广阔的海洋, 喜马拉雅山脉的三叠纪海相沉积中产有鱼龙和旋齿鲨等脊椎动物化石。至侏罗—白垩纪, 西藏东南部的部分地区逐渐脱离海洋环境, 在昌都盆地形成了与当时四川盆地相似的淡水湖泊, 恐龙等爬行动物则在湖边活动。新生代早期印度板块与欧亚板块的碰撞使青藏高原逐渐隆起, 一些热带、亚热带鱼类的发现, 表明当时青藏地区内部与东南亚的热带地区之间可能有水系连通。随着这一地区地势隆起幅度显著升高, 环境变干、变凉, 致使喜暖鱼类终于在此绝迹, 并转换为青藏高原特有的裂腹鱼类。青藏高原的快速上升导致季风气候加强, 中亚内陆地区的气候持续走向干旱, 中国西部的中新世动物群主要由耐旱的草原型哺乳动物组成, 还有耐旱的鸟类和爬行动物共生。青藏高原在上新世最终达到现代的高度, 其气候环境已具有冰冻圈的特点, 成为冰期动物群最初的演化中心。2.6 Ma全球气温第一次下降到低于今天的水平, 已经适应了冰冻环境的动物迅速扩散到青藏高原周边以及更遥远的地区, 成为现代动物多样性的基础。青藏高原在地质历史时期经历了复杂而大规模的环境变化, 这一系列的地质运动和地貌演化引发并形成了青藏高原及周边地区气候格局, 促进了本地区生物多样性的发展。