急性白血病患者化疗前后外周血IL-2、TNF-alpha和VEGF 水平变化及与临床预后的关系

目的：探讨急性白血病患者（AL）化疗前后外周血白细胞介素-2 (IL-2)、肿瘤坏死因子-alpha(TNF-alpha)、血管内皮生长因子(VEGF) 水平变化及与临床预后的关系。方法：选2010年3 月-2013 年12 月在我院行化疗治疗的53 例AL患者（AL 组）,并同期抽选我 院47 例健康体检者为对照组,采用放射免疫以及酶联法检测两组外周血IL-2、TNF-alpha和VEGF水平,并探讨AL患者化疗前后外 周血IL-2、TNF-alpha、VEGF水平变化及与临床预后的关系。结果：AL 组化疗前外周血TNF-alpha、VEGF水平明显高于对照组（P<0.05）, IL-2 水平明显低于对照组（P<0.05）。AL组化疗6 个月后外周血IL-2、TNF-alpha和VEGF 含量与化疗前比较差异均有统计学意义 （P<0.05）。AL 组化疗6 个月后长期缓解未复发者42 例、复发者11 例;复发患者的外周血TNF-alpha、VEGF水平较未复发组高,IL-2 较未复发组低,组间差异具有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论：检测AL患者的外周血IL-2、TNF-琢、VEGF含量可作为诊断及判断预后 的重要指标。     

2型猪链球菌MocR家族转录调控因子SSU0562基因敲除突变体的构建及毒力分析

目的:构建2型猪链球菌强毒株05ZYH33中MocR家族转录调控因子SSU0562基因敲除的突变株,探索SSU0562基因缺失对细菌基本生物学特性和毒力的影响。方法:构建左右两侧为SSU0562基因上下游的同源序列,中间部分为壮观霉素抗性基因(Spcr)的基因敲除质粒,通过同源重组的方法筛选SSU0562基因敲除突变株Δ0562。对突变株与野生株的基本生物学特性进行系统的比较分析,并且将小鼠作为动物感染的模型来研究突变株的毒力。结果:组合PCR的分析及基因测序结果均表明Spcr完全取代了S.suis2中SSU0562基因位点,表明基因敲除突变体Δ0562构建成功,反转录PCR(RT-PCR)证实了突变株Δ0562中SSU0562基因在转录水平的缺失;在溶血活性、生长速率及对小鼠的致病力方面,突变株Δ0562与野生株05ZYH33相比均无显著差别,然而革兰染色实验显示突变株Δ0562的成链能力明显减弱。结论:猪链球菌强毒株05ZYH33的毒力并未因SSU0562基因的缺失而发生显著性改变,表明SSU0562基因并非猪链球菌的毒力决定因子,但很有可能参与猪链球菌成链能力的调控。     

Restoration of CA2+-inhibited oxidative phosphorylation in cardiac mitochondria by mitochondrial Ca2+ unloading

Mitochondria, the major source of cellular ATP, display high vulnerability to metabolic stress, in particular to excessive Ca²⁺ loading. Here, we show that Ca²⁺-inhibited mitochondrial ATP generation could be restored through stimulated Ca²⁺ discharge from mitochondrial matrix. This was demonstrated using a Ca²⁺ ionophore or through Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchange-mediated decrease of mitochondrial Ca²⁺ load. Furthermore, diazoxide, a mitochondrial potassium channel opener, which maintained mitochondrial Ca²⁺ homeostasis, also restored Ca²⁺-inhibited ATP synthesis and preserved the structural integrity of Ca²⁺-challenged mitochondria. Thus, under conditions of excessive mitochondrial Ca²⁺ overload targeting mitochondrial Ca²⁺ transport pathways restores oxidative phosphorylation required for vital cellular processes. This study, therefore, identifies an effective strategy capable to rescue Ca²⁺-disrupted mitochondrial energetics.     

Copper removal by immobilized Microcystis aeruginosa in continuous flow columns at different bed heights: study of the adsorption/desorption cycle

Microcystis aeruginosa immobilized in a natural polymer was tested for its potential to remove Cu²⁺ ions from aqueous solution in a continuous, downflow packed columnar reactor. Various parameters like flow rate, bed height and contact time required for maximum removal of test metals by the immobilized Microcystis aeruginosa were optimized. An increase in bed height from 2 to 10 cm resulted in an apparent decrease in biosorption capacity from 8.94 to 5.34 mg g^–1, but more Cu²⁺ solution was purified at the higher bed height. Efficiency of metal recovery from Cu²⁺-loaded biomass and its subsequent regeneration was also determined. Immobilized M. aeruginosa was found to be effective in Cu²⁺ removal from solution for up to 10 cycles of adsorption–desorption and 1 M HCl is very efficient desorbent for regeneration of Microcystis biomass for reuse.     

氧敏感蛋白空间晶体生长的研究

为适应固氮酶蛋白等厌氧蛋白质空间晶体生长的要求,应在地面用简易而适用的厌氧加样装置以优化这类蛋白的结晶条件。用塑料袋或简易箱代替固氮酶实验室常用的笨重厌氧箱,获得了缺失nifZ因氮菌（Azotobacter vinelandii Lipmann）突变种的MoFe蛋白和含锰固氮培养基中生物的UW3的MnFe蛋白晶体,并在远离固氮酶实验室的地方,使用由小仪器塑料袋和急求用的氩气袋组成的更轻便的厌氧装置,用坐滴法也能使这两种蛋白结晶出来。结果表明,利用上述简易厌氧装置有望达到以上2种厌氧蛋白空间晶体生长的要求。     

Ca2+ oscillation in the homogenate ofPhysarum plasmodium

Summary Using aequorin luminescence, we observed a distinct oscillation in Ca²⁺ levels in the supernatant of the homogenate ofPhysarum plasmodium. Ca²⁺ oscillation continued for 10–120 minutes, with a period coinciding with that of the contraction rhythm of a plasmodium.Abbreviations EDTA Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid - EGTA Ethyleneglycol-bis-(-aminoethylether)-N,N-tetraacetic acid - PIPES Piperazine-N,N-bis-(2-ethane sulfonic acid) - DTT Dithiothreitol The present work was supported by Grants-in Aid from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, Japan.     

Patterned distribution of membrane-associated Ca2+ during pore formation inMicrasterias

Summary During the stage of pore formation developing cells ofMicrasterias denticulata show a patterned distribution of fluorescent dots on the plasma membrane after treatment with chlorotetracycline. The center-to-center spacing of these dots corresponds with the distances between the individual cell wall pores ofMicrasterias. Therefore it is supposed that the patterned distribution of pores and their formation which is mediated by special pore vesicles are related to local accumulations of membrane-associated Ca²⁺. Membrane-associated Ca²⁺ seems not only to be functional in tip growth but to be a general mediator for recognition and fusion processes between various vesicles and the plasma membrane.