体重和时间节律对俄罗斯鲟(Acipenser gueldenstaedti Brandt)幼鱼耗氧率和窒息点的影响

采用流水法研究了在温度(20.7±0.55)℃下体重和时间节律对俄罗斯鲟(Acipenser gueldenstaedti Brandt)幼鱼耗氧率和窒息点的影响。结果表明,俄罗斯鲟的耗氧率、窒息点与体重负相关,耗氧量与体重正相关。俄罗斯鲟体重(1.39±0.24)g时平均耗氧率为(0.51±0.06)mg/h.g,平均耗氧量为(0.68±0.03)mg/h.ind;体重(3.16±0.22)g时,平均耗氧率为(0.35±0.04)mg/h.g,平均耗氧量为(0.97±0.10)mg/h.ind;体重(6.20±0.36)g时平均耗氧率为(0.28±0.04)mg/h.g,平均耗氧量为(1.46±0.33)mg/h.ind。3种规格俄罗斯鲟的窒息点分别为2.38、2.35和1.98 mg/L。     

Fluorescent-Based Methods for Gene Knockdown and Functional Cardiac Imaging in Zebrafish

A notable advantage of zebrafish as a model organism is the ease of gene knockdown using morpholino antisense oligonucleotide (MO). However, zebrafish morphants injected with MO for a target protein often show heterogeneous phenotypes, despite controlling the injection volume of the MO solution in all embryos. We developed a method for estimating the quantity of MO injected into each living morphant, based on the co-injection of a control MO labeled with the fluorophore lissamine. By applying this method for knockdown of cardiac troponin T (tnnt2a) in zebrafish, we could efficiently select the partial tnnt2a-depleted zebrafish with a decreased heart rate and impairment of cardiac contraction. To investigate cardiac impairment of the tnnt2a morphant, we performed fluorescent cardiac imaging using Bodipy-ceramide. Cardiac image analysis showed moderate reduction of tnnt2a impaired diastolic distensibility and decreased contraction and relaxation velocities. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to analyze the role of tnnt2a in cardiac function in tnnt2a-depleted living animals. Our combinatorial approach can be applied for analyzing the molecular function of any protein associated with human cardiac diseases.     

Synthesisof fructose laurate esters catalyzed by a CALB-displaying Pichia pastoris whole-cell biocatalyst in a non-aqueous system

Earlier studies on fructose laurate ester products have shown that recombinant Pichia pastoris displaying Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) on the cell surface acts as an efficient whole-cell biocatalyst for sugar ester production from fructose and lauric acid in an organic solvent. The effects of various reaction factors, including solvent composition, substrate molar ratio, enzyme dose, temperature and water activity, on esterification catalyzed by the CALB-displaying P. pastoris whole-cell biocatalyst were examined in the present study. Under the preferred reaction conditions, specifically, 5 mL organic solvent mixture of 2-methyl-2-butanol/DMSO (20% v/v), 2 mmol fructose with a lauric acid to fructose molar ratio of 2:1, 0.3 g whole-cell biocatalyst (1,264 U/g dry cell) with an initial water activity of 0.11, 1.2 g 4Å molecular sieve, reaction temperature of 55oC and 200 rpm stirring speed, the fructose mono laurate ester yield was 78% (w/w). The CALBdisplaying P. pastoris whole-cell biocatalyst exhibited good operational stability, with an evident increase, rather than decrease, in relative activity after the continuous recover and reuse cycle. The relative activity of the biocatalyst remained 50% higher than that of the first batch, even following reuse for 15 batches. Our results collectively indicate that the CALB-displaying P. pastoris whole-cell biocatalyst may be potentially utilized in lieu of free or immobilized enzyme to effectively produce non-ionic surfactants such as fatty acid sugar esters, offering the significant advantages of cost-effectiveness, good operational stability and mild reaction conditions.

     

Insulin Resistance Is an Independent Determinate of ED in Young Adult Men

Background

Insulin resistance (IR) triggers endothelial dysfunction, which contributes to erectile dysfunction (ED) and cardiovascular disease.

Aim

To evaluate whether IR was related to ED in young adult patients.

Methods

A total of 283 consecutive men complaining of ED at least six months were enrolled, with a full medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests collected. Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI) was used to determine IR. The severity of ED was assessed by IIEF-5 questionnaire. Endothelial function was assessed by ultrasonographic examination of brachial artery flow mediated dilation (FMD).

Results

IR was detected in 52% patients. Subjects with IR had significant higher total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c), glycated haemoglobin (HBA1c), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and body mass index (BMI), but showed significant lower IIEF-5 score, FMD%, high density lipoprotein -cholesterol (HDL-c), testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels than patients without IR. Multiple regression analysis showed QUICKI and testosterone were independent predictors of IIEF-5 score. Furthermore, the incidence of IR was correlated with the severity of ED.

Conclusions

Compared with other CVFs, IR was found as the most prevalent in our subjects. Besides, IR was independently associated with ED and its severity, suggesting an adverse effect of insulin resistance on erectile function.     

DNA甲基化与基因表达调控研究进展

表观遗传修饰是指不改变DNA序列的、可遗传的对碱基和组蛋白的化学修饰,主要包括DNA甲基化、组蛋白修饰、染色质重塑以及非编码RNA等.表观遗传修饰是更高层次的基因表达调控手段.DNA甲基化是一种重要的表观遗传修饰,参与基因表达调控、基因印记、转座子沉默、X染色体失活以及癌症发生等重要生物学过程.近年来随着研究方法和技术的进步,全基因组DNA甲基化的研究广泛兴起,多个物种全基因组甲基化图谱被破译,全局水平对DNA甲基化的研究不仅利于在宏观层面上了解DNA甲基化的特性与规律,同时也为深入分析DNA甲基化的生物学功能与调控奠定了基础.结合最新研究进展综述DNA甲基化在基因组中的分布模式、规律以及和基因转录的关系等.     

PCI术后是否抗凝治疗的临床疗效比较

目的：研究PCI术后是否应用依诺肝素抗凝治疗对患者临床疗效的影响。方法：于2011年5月至2012年1月间,连续入选在我院行冠状动脉造影并置入了支架的患者158例,将符合标准的患者随机分为非抗凝组或抗凝组两组各79名。非抗凝组术后常规应用阿司匹林和氯吡格雷。抗凝组术后加用依诺肝素。对入选患者进行院内随访记录其主要心脏不良事件及出血事件。结果：支架植入成功率100%。术后抗凝组113处病变共置入支架135枚;非抗凝组109处病变置入支架115枚。院内随访：主要心脏不良事件和严重出血差异无统计学意义。小出血事件抗凝组多于非抗凝组（P=0.007）。结论：冠状动脉支架置入术后非抗凝治疗组缺血不良事件发生率较抗凝组无明显增加,小出血并发症明显减少。该研究结果表明,对PCI术无特殊并发症的患者术后无需常规抗凝治疗。     

Heterologous Gln/Asn-Rich Proteins Impede the Propagation of Yeast Prions by Altering Chaperone Availability

Prions are self-propagating conformations of proteins that can cause heritable phenotypic traits. Most yeast prions contain glutamine (Q)/asparagine (N)-rich domains that facilitate the accumulation of the protein into amyloid-like aggregates. Efficient transmission of these infectious aggregates to daughter cells requires that chaperones, including Hsp104 and Sis1, continually sever the aggregates into smaller “seeds.” We previously identified 11 proteins with Q/N-rich domains that, when overproduced, facilitate the de novo aggregation of the Sup35 protein into the [PSI ⁺] prion state. Here, we show that overexpression of many of the same 11 Q/N-rich proteins can also destabilize pre-existing [PSI ⁺] or [URE3] prions. We explore in detail the events leading to the loss (curing) of [PSI⁺] by the overexpression of one of these proteins, the Q/N-rich domain of Pin4, which causes Sup35 aggregates to increase in size and decrease in transmissibility to daughter cells. We show that the Pin4 Q/N-rich domain sequesters Hsp104 and Sis1 chaperones away from the diffuse cytoplasmic pool. Thus, a mechanism by which heterologous Q/N-rich proteins impair prion propagation appears to be the loss of cytoplasmic Hsp104 and Sis1 available to sever [PSI ⁺].     

伊曲康唑和羟基伊曲康唑体外抗菌活性比较

目的了解伊曲康唑和羟基伊曲康唑对临床常见深部感染真菌的体外敏感性,并对两者抗菌活性进行比较分析。方法酵母菌分离自血液和无菌体液标本,曲霉菌分离自气管插管吸取物、支气管肺泡灌洗液和保护性毛刷;酵母菌采用显色培养基和API 20C鉴定到种,曲霉菌用乳酸酚棉兰压片镜检鉴定到种;微量肉汤稀释法进行药敏试验。结果全国10家医院共收集到338株真菌,包括念珠菌281株,曲霉菌37株,新生隐球菌18株和其他酵母菌2株。伊曲康唑(ITZ)对白念珠菌、热带念珠菌、近平滑念珠菌、克柔念珠菌的敏感率分别为83.8%,70.8%,78.6%,38.5%;50%以上克柔念珠菌为剂量依赖性敏感;伊曲康唑对光滑念珠菌敏感性较差;而对于新生隐球菌、黄曲霉和烟曲霉的MIC50/MIC90分别为0.5/0.5、1/1、1/1μg/mL;羟基伊曲康唑与伊曲康唑有相似的抗菌活性。结论伊曲康唑对大部分深部感染真菌的敏感性较好,光滑念珠菌对伊曲康唑耐药株增多;伊曲康唑主要代谢产物有体外抗菌活性。