Zygotic Wnt/beta-catenin signaling preferentially regulates the expression of Myf5 gene in the mesoderm of Xenopus

Zygotic Wnt signaling has been shown to be involved in dorsoventral mesodermal patterning in Xenopus embryos, but how it regulates different myogenic gene expression in the lateral mesodermal domains is not clear. Here, we use transient exposure of embryos or explants to lithium, which mimics Wnt/beta-catenin signaling, as a tool to regulate the activation of this pathway at different times and places during early development. We show that activation of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling at the early gastrula stage rapidly induces ectopic expression of XMyf5 in both the dorsal and ventral mesoderm. In situ hybridization analysis reveals that the induction of ectopic XMyf5 expression in the dorsal mesoderm occurs within 45 min and is not blocked by the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide. By contrast, the induction of XMyoD is observed after 2 h of lithium treatment and the normal expression pattern of XMyoD is blocked by cycloheximide. Analysis by RT-PCR of ectodermal explants isolated soon after midblastula transition indicates that lithium also specifically induces XMyf5 expression, which takes place 30 min following lithium treatment and is not blocked by cycloheximide, arguing strongly for an immediate-early response. In the early gastrula, inhibition of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling blocks the expression of XMyf5 and XMyoD, but not of Xbra. We further show that zygotic Wnt/beta-catenin signaling interacts specifically with bFGF and eFGF to promote XMyf5 expression in ectodermal cells. These results suggest that Wnt/beta-catenin pathway is required for regulating myogenic gene expression in the presumptive mesoderm. In particular, it may directly activate the expression of the XMyf5 gene in the muscle precursor cells.     

苦丁茶冬青的RAPD影响因素及实验条件的优化

以苦丁茶冬青为材料研究随机扩增多态DNA(RAPD)的影响因素及各种实验条件优化。研究结果表明：模板DNA的浓度适宜范围为20ng／反应-80ng／反应RAPD均可得到一致的结果;dNTVs的适宜浓度范围为200μmol／L-400μmol／L;Mg^2 适宜浓度范围为1．5mmol／L-2．0mmol／L;其合适的复性温度为35—37℃;2min的延伸时间,45次热循环。按照此优化的RAPD条件进行重复实验,实验结果重现性良好,因而确定了苦丁茶冬青RAPD反应体系之最佳的实验条件。     

南昌市空气PM2.5和PM10的时空动态及其影响因素

PM_2.5和PM₁₀已成为我国大部分城市空气的首要污染物.本文通过分析南昌市2013—2015年的空气PM_2.5和PM₁₀质量浓度、气象因素、交通流量的监测数据,探讨了空气颗粒物污染的时空动态规律以及气象、交通对颗粒物浓度变化的影响.结果表明: 2013、2014、2015年,南昌市PM_2.5浓度(70.92 μg·m^-3＞53.70 μg·m^-3＞43.65 μg·m^-3)、PM₁₀浓度(119.72 μg·m^-3＞86.11 μg·m^-3＞73.32 μg·m^-3)逐年降低,并呈现出夏季低(PM_2.5和PM₁₀平均浓度分别为36.74、69.20 μg·m^-3)、冬季高(PM_2.5和PM₁₀平均浓度分别为74.29、111.64 μg·m^-3)的季节动态和由城市中心向郊区递减的城乡梯度变化; PM_2.5/PM₁₀值(0.595＞0.584＞0.557)逐年降低,并且表现出城市中心高、城市边缘低的空间分布格局;PM_2.5、PM₁₀浓度受到多种气象因素的影响,与气压、温度、相对湿度、风速、降水量、日照时数显著相关,各种气象因子对PM_2.5、PM₁₀浓度的影响存在差异;车流量会显著提高周边PM_2.5浓度,但对PM₁₀浓度影响不明显.     

连续性血浆滤过吸附对严重感染合并MODS患者炎症因子水平的影响

目的:探讨连续性血浆滤过吸附对严重感染合并多脏器功能障碍综合征(MODS)患者炎症因子水平的影响。方法:研究对象选取我院2013年3月-2016年3月收治严重感染合并MODS患者共160例,以随机数字表法分为对照组(80例)和观察组(80例),患者均先给予高容量血液滤过(HVHF)治疗,观察组加用连续性血浆滤过吸附辅助治疗,比较两组患者治疗前后平均动脉压(MAP)、心率(HR)、血氧饱和度(SpO_2)、碳酸氢根(HCO_3~-)、肌酐(Scr)、总胆红素(TBi L)、急性生理与慢性健康II(APACHE Ⅱ)评分、肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)、超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)及白介素6(IL-6)水平。结果:两组治疗后MAP、Scr、TBi L、TNF-α、IL-6、hs-CRP及APACHE Ⅱ评分均有所降低,而HR、SpO_2、HCO_3~-水平均上升,且观察组以上各指标改善更明显,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:连续性血浆滤过吸附辅助治疗严重感染合并MODS可有效稳定生命体征,改善生化指标,延缓病情进展,并有助于降低机体炎症反应水平。     

西双版纳区域气候变化对植物生长趋势的影响

目前全球变暖已经致使地球上生物群系的格局发生了显著的变化。高纬度地区的植物生长由此变得更加活跃,而热带地区植物生长的趋势仍然是一个具有争论的问题。西双版纳热带植物园地处中国西南地区,20世纪70年代以来,这里气候发生了显著的变化,其气温以每10年0.18℃的速度上升。本研究利用西双版纳热带植物园中的48种热带植物（28科）的株高生长数据（1974～2003年）来分析其对西双版纳区域气候变化的长期变化响应,通过对株高与气候因子的相关分析选出对植物株高生长影响最大的气候因子。结果表明,植物在研究期间的株高生长年间波动比较强烈,但没有表现出明显的趋势;植物的株高生长主要受到干热季（3、4月份）的日照时数（负）与月均最低气温（正）所影响,而干热季正是这些植物每年开始萌叶的时期;另外,降雨并没有对引种植物株高生长产生显著的影响;从2个关键因子的长期变化趋势来看,西双版纳气候变化将有利于保护植物的生长,进而将有利于植物园内热带植物的保护与保存。     

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ligands attenuate immunological symptoms of experimental allergic asthma

Asthma is characterized by a predominant T(H)2 type immune response to airborne allergens. Controlling T(H)2 cell function has been proposed as therapy for this disease. We show here that ligands for the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR)gamma significantly reduced the immunological symptoms of allergic asthma in a murine model of this disease. A PPARgamma ligand, 15-deoxy-delta(12,14)-prostaglandin J(2), significantly inhibited production of the T(H)2 type cytokine IL-5 from T cells activated in vitro. More importantly, in a murine model of allergic asthma, mice treated orally with ciglitazone, a potent synthetic PPARgamma ligand, had significantly reduced lung inflammation and mucous production following induction of allergic asthma. T cells from these ciglitazone treated mice also produced less IFNgamma, IL-4, and IL-2 upon rechallenge in vitro with the model allergen. Our results suggest that ligands for PPARgamma may be effective treatments for asthmatic patients.     

Medium‐Chain Oil Reduces Fat Mass and Down‐regulates Expression of Adipogenic Genes in Rats

Objective: To test the hypothesis that adipose tissue could be one of the primary targets through which medium‐chain fatty acids (MCFAs) exert their metabolic influence. Research Methods and Procedures: Sprague‐Dawley rats were fed a control high‐fat diet compared with an isocaloric diet rich in medium‐chain triglycerides (MCTs). We determined the effects of MCTs on body fat mass, plasma leptin and lipid levels, acyl chain composition of adipose triglycerides and phospholipids, adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase activity, and the expression of key adipogenic genes. Tissue triglyceride content was measured in heart and gastrocnemius muscle, and whole body insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance were also measured. The effects of MCFAs on lipoprotein lipase activity and adipogenic gene expression were also assessed in vitro using cultured adipose tissue explants or 3T3‐L1 adipocytes. Results: MCT‐fed animals had smaller fat pads, and they contained a considerable amount of MCFAs in both triglycerides and phospholipids. A number of key adipogenic genes were down‐regulated, including peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α and their downstream metabolic target genes. We also found reduced adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase activity and improved insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance in MCT‐fed animals. Analogous effects of MCFAs on adipogenic genes were found in cultured rat adipose tissue explants and 3T3‐L1 adipocytes. Discussion: These results suggest that direct inhibitory effects of MCFAs on adiposity may play an important role in the regulation of body fat development.     

Social correlates of stress in adult males of the great gerbil,Rhombomys opimus,in years of high and low population densities

The great gerbil, Rhombomys opimus, is the most social species in the Gerbillinae. The social structure consists of family groups that occupy isolated systems of burrows consisting of one breeding male, from one to seven females, and juveniles. During a year of peak density and one of density decline, we studied the influence of group size, group composition, local density, and distance to the nearest groups on fecal corticosterone and testosterone concentrations in breeding males. We also examined the relationship of hormone concentrations to the survival of males during the summer drought between the spring and the fall. We found that males differed in concentrations of steroid hormones. Concentrations of testosterone were lower whereas those of corticosterone tended to be higher in a year of high population densities compared with higher testosterone and lower corticosterone in a year with a lower density. This finding suggests that stress may be greater in higher densities because of increased social contact. Stepwise regression analysis revealed a positive and significant influence of the number of adult females in a family group on concentrations of fecal corticosterone and testosterone in adult males. Concentrations of corticosterone were also significantly higher in males that disappeared from family groups between the spring and the fall compared with males still alive in family groups in the fall. There was no change in concentrations of testosterone. These results suggest that social interactions within large family groups may be an important source of stress for adult males.     

The NFP locus of Medicago truncatula controls an early step of Nod factor signal transduction upstream of a rapid calcium flux and root hair deformation

Establishment of the Rhizobium-legume symbiosis depends on a molecular dialogue, in which rhizobial nodulation (Nod) factors act as symbiotic signals, playing a key role in the control of specificity of infection and nodule formation. Using nodulation-defective (Nod-) mutants of Medicago truncatula to study the mechanisms controlling Nod factor perception and signalling, we have previously identified five genes that control components of a Nod factor-activated signal transduction pathway. Characterisation of a new M. truncatula Nod- mutant led to the identification of the Nod Factor Perception (NFP) locus. The nfp mutant has a novel phenotype among Nod- mutants of M. truncatula, as it does not respond to Nod factors by any of the responses tested. The nfp mutant thus shows no rapid calcium flux, the earliest detectable Nod factor response of wild-type plants, and no root hair deformation. The nfp mutant is also deficient in Nod factor-induced calcium spiking and early nodulin gene expression. While certain genes controlling Nod factor signal transduction also control the establishment of an arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis, the nfp mutant shows a wild-type mycorrhizal phenotype. These data indicate that the NFP locus controls an early step of Nod factor signal transduction, upstream of previously identified genes and specific to nodulation.