Nanoparticle formulation of mycophenolate mofetil achieves enhanced efficacy against hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting tumour-associated fibroblast

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most aggressive tumours with marked fibrosis. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) was well-established to have antitumour and anti-fibrotic properties. To overcome the poor bioavailability of MMF, this study constructed two MMF nanosystems, MMF-LA@DSPE-PEG and MMF-LA@PEG-PLA, by covalently conjugating linoleic acid (LA) to MMF and then loading the conjugate into polymer materials, PEG_5k-PLA_8k and DSPE- PEG_2k, respectively. Hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines and C57BL/6 xenograft model were used to examine the anti-HCC efficacy of nanoparticles (NPs), whereas NIH-3T3 fibroblasts and highly-fibrotic HCC models were used to explore the anti-fibrotic efficacy. Administration of NPs dramatically inhibited the proliferation of HCC cells and fibroblasts in vitro. Animal experiments revealed that MMF-LA@DSPE-PEG achieved significantly higher anti-HCC efficacy than free MMF and MMF-LA@PEG-PLA both in C57BL/6 HCC model and highly-fibrotic HCC models. Immunohistochemistry further confirmed that MMF-LA@DSPE-PEG dramatically reduced cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) density in tumours, as the expression levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), fibroblast activation protein (FAP) and collagen IV were significantly downregulated. In addition, we found the presence of CAF strongly correlated with increased HCC recurrence risk after liver transplantation. MMF-LA@DSPE-PEG might act as a rational therapeutic strategy in treating HCC and preventing post-transplant HCC recurrence.     

β-Carboline-Based pH Fluorescent Probe and Its Application for Monitoring Enzymatic Ester Hydrolysis

A novel pH-activatable fluorescent probe, 1-(propan-2-yl)-9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole-3-carboxylic acid ( L-1 ), based on β-carboline derivatives, has been developed, which displays significant fluorescent response toward pH variation with high selectivity, good photo-stability and favorable pKa value. Moreover, L-1 can dynamically monitor the release of protons during ester hydrolysis reaction in consistent with enzymatic kinetics manner.     

贵州花溪大学城破碎化林地鸟类多样性与嵌套分布格局

为揭示城镇化进程中生境破碎化对鸟类多样性及分布格局的影响, 本研究于2017-2019年每年的4-8月使用样线法对贵州花溪大学城26块破碎化林地(面积介于0.3-290.4 ha)中的鸟类群落进行了10次调查。共记录到鸟类78种, 隶属于11目37科。其中, 东洋界物种数占56.4%, 古北界物种数占32.1%, 广布种占11.5%; 有中国特有种1种。剔除高空飞行、非森林鸟类及偶然出现物种后, 不同斑块中的鸟类物种数介于12-55之间, 平均每个斑块有23.2 ± 10.5种。线性回归分析显示, 鸟类物种丰富度与林地斑块的面积有显著相关性, 斑块面积越小, 鸟类物种丰富度越低; 斑块隔离度对物种丰富度没有显著影响。基于物种多度分布矩阵的WNODF (weighted nestedness metric based on overlap and decreasing fill)嵌套分析显示, 不同斑块中鸟类群落呈现出反嵌套结构。小斑块中鸟类物种丰富度较低可能与植物丰富度较低、食物资源稀缺和繁育条件不足有关, 但短距离的隔离对鸟类迁入或扩散影响有限。环境过滤效应、种间竞争或优先效应可能导致不同斑块间存在较大的物种组成差异, 从而导致反嵌套格局。因此, 本研究建议在城市规划建设中应注重维持栖息地的完整性, 对不同面积大小的破碎化斑块都应加以保护。     

不同干预时机下复方嗜酸乳杆菌片联合四联疗法在根除幽门螺杆菌失败补救治疗中的应用

目的探讨不同干预时机下复方嗜酸乳杆菌片联合四联疗法在首次根除幽门螺杆菌(H. pylori)失败患者补救治疗中的作用。方法选择西安市第一医院消化内科90例经标准四联疗法根除H. pylori失败的患者为研究对象,随机分为研究组A(A组)、研究组B(B组)与对照组(C组),各30例。A组患者使用复方嗜酸乳杆菌片联合补救四联疗法治疗。B组患者在补救四联疗法结束后序贯使用复方嗜酸乳杆菌片2周。C组患者单独采用补救四联疗法治疗。比较3组患者临床症状、不良反应发生率及H. pylori根除率。结果A组、B组、C组患者总有效率分别为93.33%(28/30),90.00%(27/30),66.67%(20/30),差异有统计学意义(χ²=9.120,P=0.010)。A组、B组、C组患者总不良反应发生率分别为13.33%(4/30)、16.67%(5/30)、66.67%(20/30),差异有统计学意义(χ²=24.522,P<0.001)。A组、B组、C组患者H. pylori根除率分别为60.00%(18/30)、63.33%(19/30)、33.33%(10/30),差异有统计学意义(χ² =6.502,P=0.039)。A组与B组患者H. pylori根除率相比差异无统计学意义(χ²=0.071,P=0.791)。结论复方嗜酸乳杆菌片联合四联疗法可提高首次四联疗法根除H. pylori失败患者H. pylori根除率,改善患者临床症状,降低总体不良反应发生率,但不同干预时机下复方嗜酸乳杆菌片对H. pylori根除率无明显影响。     

野野村氏菌FIM02-765的分类鉴定及Simaomicin α的抗肿瘤活性

明确海洋沉积物来源的放线菌FIM02-765的分类地位,揭示其代谢产物Simaomicinα的抗肿瘤活性。通过形态学、生理生化特征、细胞糖分组成分析以及16S rRNA序列分析,对海洋放线菌FIM02-765进行菌种鉴定;通过大孔吸附树脂柱层析和Sephadex LH-20凝胶柱层析从该菌的发酵产物中分离得到稠环氧杂蒽酮类化合物Simaomicinα;通过MTT法对化合物Simaomicinα的体外抗肿瘤细胞活性进行了研究。结果表明,菌株FIM02-765属于野野村氏菌(Nonomuraea sp.),同时该菌产生的稠环氧杂蒽酮类化合物Simaomicinα具有较强体外抑制多种肿瘤细胞增殖的活性。研究表明1株经鉴定的海洋野野村氏菌FIM02-765产生稠环氧杂蒽酮类化合物Simaomicinα对肿瘤细胞具有较强体外抑制活性,为深入开展该菌的遗传育种以及Simaomicinα的生物合成研究提供参考。     

Metabolic dynamics across prolonged diapause development in larvae of the sawfly,Cephalcia chuxiongica (Hymenoptera: Pamphiliidae)

Nutrient metabolism is crucial for the survival of insects through the diapause. However, little is known about the metabolic mechanism of prolonged diapause. The sawfly, Cephalcia chuxiongica (Hymenoptera: Pamphiliidae), is a notorious defoliator of pine trees in southwest China. One of the distinguishing biological characteristics of this pest is the prolonged diapause of about 1.5 years. In this study, the body lipid, carbohydrate (total body sugar, glycogen, trehalose, and glucose), protein, and glycerol contents were measured in diapausing larvae of C. chuxiongica. The results showed that the changes of biochemical composition in C. chuxiongica are associated with the diapause initiation, maintenance, and termination phases. During the initiation phase, trehalose, glucose, and glycerol increased significantly, but glycogen decreased sharply. In general, the lipid, carbohydrate, and glycerol levels decreased gradually across the maintenance phase. At termination phase, the contents of glycogen and lipid persistently decreased, while an increase of trehalose, glucose, and glycerol contents were detected. The protein level was significantly higher at maintenance phase than at initiation and termination phases. It was also found that elevation of trehalose, glucose, and glycerol contents occurred in winter. These implies that the metabolites with altered levels in diapausing larvae of C. chuxiongica are responsible for maintaining a prolonged development and overwintering.     

九州虫草-半枝莲发酵产物不同极性部位与其抗A549细胞增殖活性的相关性分析

建立九州虫草-半枝莲双向固体发酵产物不同极性部位的HPLC特征图谱,并考察与其抑制肺腺癌A549细胞增殖活性的相关性。采用双向固体发酵技术制备九州虫草-半枝莲发酵产物;溶剂萃取法获得发酵产物的不同极性部位,并运用HPLC法建立不同极性部位的特征图谱;MTT法考察不同极性部位对A549细胞的增殖抑制作用;偏最小二乘回归法分析不同极性部位HPLC色谱峰与其抗增殖作用的相关性。抗增殖试验结果表明,不同极性部位对A549细胞均具有增殖抑制作用并且呈浓度依赖性;标示的9个共有色谱峰与抗增殖活性均呈正相关,其中色谱峰8、4、1、2、9分别为木犀草素、黄芩苷、对香豆酸、野黄芩苷、黄芩素。本研究建立了不同极性部位的HPLC特征图谱,极性部位中以二氯甲烷部位对A549细胞的体外抗增殖作用最佳,并借助谱效相关初步探究了发酵产物抗A549细胞增殖的药效物质基础,为双向固体发酵技术应用于菌种与传统中药提供了参考。     

西伯利亚蝗抗菌肽基因的克隆及表达特性研究

[目的]扩增西伯利亚蝗Gomphocerus sibiricus抗菌肽(attacin)基因,并对其进行生物信息学分析,同时分析西伯利亚蝗不同组织中抗菌肽基因的差异表达.[方法]基于RACE技术从西伯利亚蝗中克隆得到抗菌肽,利用生物信息学软件对西伯利亚蝗抗菌肽的一级结构、二级结构、三级结构、系统进化和亚细胞定位进行分析.采用实时荧光定量PCR技术检测了西伯利亚蝗抗菌肽基因在马氏管、中肠、后肠、脂肪体和唾液腺中的相对表达量.[结果]克隆获得的抗菌肽基因的开放阅读框为282 bp,编码93个氨基酸,其编码蛋白预测理论分子量为9.98 ku,等电点为9.26.抗菌肽氨基酸序列中存在信号肽序列.基因定量分析显示,抗菌肽基因在西伯利亚蝗的中肠中表达量最高.[结论]attacin在西伯利亚蝗成虫不同组织中差异表达,提示其消化道在防御病原微生物的入侵中起着重要的作用.     

The effects of post-stroke upper-limb training with an electromyography (EMG)-driven hand robot

Loss of hand function and finger dexterity are main disabilities in the upper limb after stroke. An electromyography (EMG)-driven hand robot had been developed for post-stroke rehabilitation training. The effectiveness of the hand robot assisted whole upper limb training was investigated on persons with chronic stroke (n = 10) in this work. All subjects attended a 20-session training (3–5 times/week) by using the hand robot to practice object grasp/release and arm transportation tasks. Significant motor improvements were observed in the Fugl-Meyer hand/wrist and shoulder/elbow scores (p < 0.05), and also in the Action Research Arm Test and Wolf Motor Function Test (p < 0.05). Significant reduction in spasticity of the fingers as was measured by the Modified Ashworth Score (p < 0.05). The training improved the muscle co-ordination between the antagonist muscle pair (flexor digitorum (FD) and extensor digitorum (ED)), associated with a significant reduction in the ED EMG level (p < 0.05) and a significant decrease of ED and FD co-contraction during the training (p < 0.05); the excessive muscle activities in the biceps brachii were also reduced significantly after the training (p < 0.05).     

竹叶菜的组织培养研究

竹叶菜为百合科鹿药属一种多年生草本植物,因做菜口感好,且营养丰富、药用价值高而成为深受人们喜爱的一种野生蔬菜.有关竹叶菜及其同属的组织培养研究均未见报道.本文以竹叶菜的顶芽为外植体,通过器官发生途径,初步探索了竹叶菜的组织培养技术,结果表明:芽诱导的合适培养基为:MS +6-BA 1.5 +NAA 0.05+0.6％琼脂+3％蔗糖;芽继代培养的合适培养基为:MS+6-BA 1.2 +NAA 0.05 +0.6％琼脂+3％蔗糖;无菌小苗生根的合适培养基为:MS+ IAA 1.5+ NAA 0.2+ 0.6％琼脂+3％蔗糖.为竹叶菜今后较大规模地栽培或生产提供种苗及技术贮备,为实现竹叶菜资源的可持续性开发利用奠定了基础.