The Tau/A152T mutation,a risk factor for frontotemporal‐spectrum disorders,leads to NR2B receptor‐mediated excitotoxicity

We report on a novel transgenic mouse model expressing human full‐length Tau with the Tau mutation A152T (hTau^AT), a risk factor for FTD‐spectrum disorders including PSP and CBD. Brain neurons reveal pathological Tau conformation, hyperphosphorylation, mis‐sorting, aggregation, neuronal degeneration, and progressive loss, most prominently in area CA3 of the hippocampus. The mossy fiber pathway shows enhanced basal synaptic transmission without changes in short‐ or long‐term plasticity. In organotypic hippocampal slices, extracellular glutamate increases early above control levels, followed by a rise in neurotoxicity. These changes are normalized by inhibiting neurotransmitter release or by blocking voltage‐gated sodium channels. CA3 neurons show elevated intracellular calcium during rest and after activity induction which is sensitive to NR2B antagonizing drugs, demonstrating a pivotal role of extrasynaptic NMDA receptors. Slices show pronounced epileptiform activity and axonal sprouting of mossy fibers. Excitotoxic neuronal death is ameliorated by ceftriaxone, which stimulates astrocytic glutamate uptake via the transporter EAAT2/GLT1. In summary, hTau^AT causes excitotoxicity mediated by NR2B‐containing NMDA receptors due to enhanced extracellular glutamate.     

A comprehensive approach to the molecular determinants of lifespan using a Boolean model of geroconversion

Altered molecular responses to insulin and growth factors (GF) are responsible for late‐life shortening diseases such as type‐2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cancers. We have built a network of the signaling pathways that control S‐phase entry and a specific type of senescence called geroconversion. We have translated this network into a Boolean model to study possible cell phenotype outcomes under diverse molecular signaling conditions. In the context of insulin resistance, the model was able to reproduce the variations of the senescence level observed in tissues related to T2DM's main morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, by calibrating the pharmacodynamics of mTOR inhibitors, we have been able to reproduce the dose‐dependent effect of rapamycin on liver degeneration and lifespan expansion in wild‐type and HER2–neu mice. Using the model, we have finally performed an in silico prospective screen of the risk–benefit ratio of rapamycin dosage for healthy lifespan expansion strategies. We present here a comprehensive prognostic and predictive systems biology tool for human aging.     

The Remediation of Chromium (VI)-Contaminated Soils Using Microbial Fuel Cells

Chromium (VI) is a priority pollutant in soil and water and poses serious threats to the environment. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs), as a sustainable technology, have been applied to treat heavy-metal-contaminated wastewater. To study MFC application in soil remediation, red clay soil and fluvo-aquic soil were spiked with Cr(VI) and packed into a cathode chamber of MFCs, which were then operated at external resistances of 100 and 1000 Ω for 16 days, with open circuit condition as a control treatment. After the operation, the concentration of dissolved Cr(VI) in supernatant and total Cr(VI) in soil was decreased. Soil type and external resistance significantly affected the current, removal efficiency of Cr(VI), and cathode efficiency. Reducing external resistance improved the removal efficiency. The red soil generated a higher current of MFCs, but showed a lower removal efficiency and cathode efficiency than fluvo-aquic soil, implying that the red soil may contain more electron acceptors that competed with Cr(VI) reduction reaction. Our study demonstrated that MFC-based technology has the potential to remediate Cr(VI)-contaminated soil; the efficiency varied between soil types and can be improved with high current.     

From robustness to resilience: A network Price identity approach

We model a closed-loop network of agents distributed among subnetworks and study the sustainability of network structures in presence of random perturbations. The model outcomes show that the stability of compartmentalized networks built on uniform operators depends on perturbations on between-subnetwork coupling, while the stability of networks built on mutation operators depends on their assimilation capacity. Through the study of eigenvalues of the Laplacian, we succeed in measuring the degree of network robustness and resilience. Our results also permit to situate the Price theorem, both in its standard and expanded forms, in the context of network evolutionary variational identity.     

Effects of co-cropping Bidens pilosa (L.) and Tagetes minuta (L.) on bioaccumulation of Pb in Lactuca sativa (L.) growing in polluted agricultural soils

Polluted agricultural soils are a serious problem for food safety, with phytoremediation being the most favorable alternative from the environmental perspective. However, this methodology is generally time-consuming and requires the cessation of agriculture. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate two potential phytoextractor plants (the native species Bidens pilosa and Tagetes minuta) co-cropped with lettuce growing on agricultural lead-polluted soils. The concentrations of Pb, as well as of other metals, were investigated in the phytoextractors, crop species, and in soils, with the potential risk to the health of consumers being estimated. The soil parameters pH, EC, organic matter percentage and bioavailable lead showed a direct relationship with the accumulation of Pb in roots. In addition, the concentration of Pb in roots of native species was closely related to Fe (B. pilosa, r = 0.81; T. minuta r = 0.75), Cu (T. minuta, r = 0.93), Mn (B. pilosa, r = 0.89) and Zn (B. pilosa, r = 0.91; T. minuta, r = 0.91). Our results indicate that the interaction between rhizospheres increased the phytoextraction of lead, which was accompanied by an increase in the biomass of the phytoextractor species. However, the consumption of lettuce still revealed a toxicological risk from Pb in all treatments.     

Effect of bacterial inoculation of strains of pseudomonas aeruginosa,alcaligenes feacalis and bacillus subtilis on germination,growth and heavy metal (cd,cr, and ni) uptake of brassica juncea

Bacterial inoculation may influence Brassica juncea growth and heavy metal (Ni, Cr, and Cd) accumulation. Three metal tolerant bacterial isolates (BCr3, BCd33, and BNi11) recovered from mine tailings, identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa KP717554, Alcaligenes feacalis KP717561, and Bacillus subtilis KP717559 were used. The isolates exhibited multiple plant growth beneficial characteristics including the production of indole-3-acetic acid, hydrogen cyanide, ammonia, insoluble phosphate solubilization together with the potential to protect plants against fungal pathogens. Bacterial inoculation improved seeds germination of B. juncea plant in the presence of 0.1 mM Cr, Cd, and Ni, as compared to the control treatment. Compared with control treatment, soil inoculation with bacterial isolates significantly increased the amount of soluble heavy metals in soil by 51% (Cr), 50% (Cd), and 44% (Ni) respectively. Pot experiment of B. juncea grown in soil spiked with 100 mg kg^?1 of NiCl₂, 100 mg kg^?1 of CdCl₂, and 150 mg kg^?1 of K₂Cr₂O₇, revealed that inoculation with metal tolerant bacteria not only protected plants against the toxic effects of heavy metals, but also increased growth and metal accumulation of plants significantly. These findings suggest that such metal tolerant, plant growth promoting bacteria are valuable tools which could be used to develop bio-inoculants for enhancing the efficiency of phytoextraction.     

聚乙二醇干扰素治疗对慢性乙型肝炎患者Th17/Treg的影响

目的:研究聚乙二醇干扰素抗病毒治疗对慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者Th17、Treg及Th17/Treg的影响,及Th17/Treg与表面抗原的关系。方法:30例HBe Ag阴性慢性乙型肝炎患者予聚乙二醇干扰素治疗,在治疗前与治疗后24周、48周时,检测外周血Th17、Treg的细胞频数及表面抗原定量,并与20例健康人的Th17、Treg的细胞频数进行比较,分析聚乙二醇干扰素对Th17、Treg的影响。结果:1CHB患者的Th17及Treg细胞频数较健康人的高,但Th17/Treg比例较健康人低。抗病毒治疗后24周时,Th17/Treg比例较治疗前升高,48周时Th17/Treg比例较24周时稍降低(P0.05),48周时与治疗前相比仍升高(P0.05)。2治疗结束时表面抗原阴转病人的Th17/Treg比未阴转病人高。3慢乙肝病人的Th17/Treg与表面抗原定量成负相关(r=-0.388,P0.05)。结论:CHB患者体内存在着Th17/Treg的失衡,干扰素可以调节CHB患者的免疫功能,有望实现表面抗原阴转。     

汉族和维吾尔族乙型肝炎病毒耐药基因的相关临床研究

目的:利用基因芯片技术研究伊犁地区汉、维两个民族乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)耐药基因的差异性。方法:收集2014年1月-2015年12月我院收治的汉族及维吾尔族(以下简称"维族")慢性HBV感染患者各50例,患者均经基因芯片技术筛选确诊存在天然HBV耐药基因(耐核苷酸类药物),观察HBV耐药基因分型特点及对核苷酸类药物的耐药突变位点的情况。结果:汉族HBV感染患者的耐药基因型集中于B、C型,且以C型为主,而维族以D型为主,两组各基因型比较,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。汉族患者在rt204位点变异明显,而维族在rtn236t、rta181v/t+rtn236t位点变异明显,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:在新疆伊犁地区天然HBV病毒耐药基因患者中,汉族及维族耐药基因分型及耐药基因突变位点均存在显著差异,临床可通过基因芯片技术筛选变异靶点,选择合适的敏感药物。