Photoactive platinum diimine complexes showing induced cancer cell death by apoptosis

Photoinduced cytotoxicity mediated by a triphenylenamine-modified platinum diimine complex in human breast adenocarcinoma cells has been studied by cell viability assay. The triphenylenamine-modified platinum diimine complex showed more potent cytotoxicity in light than its carboxylate-modified analogue. To gain insights into the mechanism of photodynamic activity of this class of platinum diimine complexes, flow cytometric analyses were performed. The results suggest that upon irradiation the two platinum diimine complexes studied could induce cell cycle arrest in G₂/M or S phase, and both of them could induce cancer cell death by apoptosis.     

短期和长期运动预适应对力竭大鼠心肌损伤的保护作用

目的：研究短期和长期运动预适应对心肌细胞凋亡保护中发挥的作用及机制。方法：48只雄性SD大鼠随机分为对照组（C）、力竭组（E）、短期运动预适应组（S-EP）、长期运动预适应组（L-EP）。短期和长期运动预适应分别进行3 d和3周的反复间歇游泳训练方案。光镜下观察心肌细胞的结构改变;ELISA方法检测血清中缺血修饰白蛋白（IMA）、磷酸肌酸同工酶（CK-MB）含量;实时荧光定量PCR和Western blot方法检测心肌组织中TNF-α、Caspase-8、Caspase-3基因和蛋白表达;采用DNA原位末端标记（TUNEL）法观察心肌细胞的凋亡情况。结果：与C组相比,E组心肌细胞损伤严重,血清IMA、CK-MB含量及心肌组织中TNF-α、Caspase-8、Caspase-3 mRNA和蛋白表达升高（P<0.05）;与E组相比,S-EP组血清CK-MB及心肌TNF-α、Caspase-8mRNA明显降低（P<0.05）,而蛋白表达无统计学差异,血清IMA及Caspase-3 mRNA和蛋白均下降不明显,无统计学意义（P>0.05）,L-EP组血清IMA、CK-MB含量及心肌TNF-α、Caspase-8、Caspase-3 mRNA及蛋白明显降低,有统计学意义（P<0.05）;与S-EP组相比,L-EP组血清IMA、CK-MB含量及TNF-α、Caspase-8、Caspase-3 mRNA和蛋白明显下降,有统计学意义（P<0.05）。E组心肌细胞凋亡明显,S-EP组和L-EP组均能抑制凋亡,且L-EP组与S-EP组相比心肌凋亡明显减少。结论：短期和长期运动预适应均可减轻力竭后的心肌损伤,但短期运动预适应并未改变Caspase蛋白酶的表达,长期运动预适应明显抑制Caspase-8、3 mRNA表达,减少蛋白合成,从而发挥心肌保护效应,故长期运动预适应在抑制心肌细胞凋亡方面较短期运动预适应更强。     

Polymorphism of rs3737597 in DISC1 Gene on Chromosome 1q42.2 in sALS Patients: a Chinese Han Population Case-Control Study

Although lots of genes have been revealed to relate to sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (sALS), its genetic mechanisms still need to be further explored. We aimed to search the novel genetic factors of sALS and assess their contribution. We constructed an integrative dataset based on the 3227 subsignificant genes (P value?<?0.01) from two sALS-related genome-wide association studies (GWAS) (the US and Irish studies). A significant replication between both studies was confirmed by the gene set enrichment analysis in the integral level (P value?<?10^?4). Using the pathway overrepresentation analysis, we revealed the 34 shared Gene Ontology (GO) biological processes from the two independent studies (P value?<?0.01). Among these pathways, the nervous system developmental pathway (NSD function, GO:0007399) was further supported by the previously reported genes related to sALS (P value?=?3.28e?12). Importantly, four of 17 NSD-function-related target genes (disrupted-in-schizophrenia-1 (DISC1), CNTN4, NRXN3, and ERBB4) presented a considerable association with sALS in both studies. To further verify the association between the NSD function target genes and sALS, we preformed a two-stage case–control study based on 500 sALS patients and 500 controls of Chinese Han populations from mainland. A polymorphism of rs3737597 in DISC1 gene involved in the nervous system developmental pathway was closely associated with sALS. The nervous system developmental pathway is a potential pathogenesis of sALS, among them, the polymorphism of rs3737597 in DISC1 might play some roles.     

Length–weight and length–length relationships of 20 fish species from the upper Yangtze River,southwest China

Length–weight (LWR) and length–length (LLR) relationships were estimated for 20 species of fish from the upper Yangtze River, southwest China. Samples were collected using multiple types of gear (2–6 cm mesh trammel nets, 2 cm mesh trap nets, and baited hooks) in Jiangjin and Yibin sections from 2007 to 2009. New maximum lengths for 16 species were recorded for FishBase. LWRs were significant for all species. Standard length–total length equations for converting size measurements for these 20 species are also presented. The results provide primary data for future fish research and conservation.