Chemical modification of xylanase from Chainia sp. (NCL 82.5.1)

Summary The high molecular weight xylanase from Chainia (NCL 82. 5. 1) is extracellular, cellulase-free and stable at alkaline pH (pH 8.0) at 50°C. The enzyme showed inhibition by N-bromosuccinimide(NBS) and by cysteine-specific reagents p-hydroxy mercuric-benzoate(PHMB) and N-ethyl maleimide(NEM) implying that tryptophan and cysteine are present at or near the active site of the enzyme. The enzyme was reversibly inhibited by low concentrations (0.5 M) of guanidine hydrochloride (Gdn.HCl) indicative of the presence of a carboxylate group in the active site of the enzyme. Kinetics of inactivation of enzyme by Gdn.HCl revealed that the essential carboxylate residues are present at the substrate-binding region of the enzyme.     

Child Mortality Estimation 2013: An Overview of Updates in Estimation Methods by the United Nations Inter-Agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation

Background

In September 2013, the United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME) published an update of the estimates of the under-five mortality rate (U5MR) and under-five deaths for all countries. Compared to the UN IGME estimates published in 2012, updated data inputs and a new method for estimating the U5MR were used.

Methods

We summarize the new U5MR estimation method, which is a Bayesian B-spline Bias-reduction model, and highlight differences with the previously used method. Differences in UN IGME U5MR estimates as published in 2012 and those published in 2013 are presented and decomposed into differences due to the updated database and differences due to the new estimation method to explain and motivate changes in estimates.

Findings

Compared to the previously used method, the new UN IGME estimation method is based on a different trend fitting method that can track (recent) changes in U5MR more closely. The new method provides U5MR estimates that account for data quality issues. Resulting differences in U5MR point estimates between the UN IGME 2012 and 2013 publications are small for the majority of countries but greater than 10 deaths per 1,000 live births for 33 countries in 2011 and 19 countries in 1990. These differences can be explained by the updated database used, the curve fitting method as well as accounting for data quality issues. Changes in the number of deaths were less than 10% on the global level and for the majority of MDG regions.

Conclusions

The 2013 UN IGME estimates provide the most recent assessment of levels and trends in U5MR based on all available data and an improved estimation method that allows for closer-to-real-time monitoring of changes in the U5MR and takes account of data quality issues.     

Molecular characterization in a case of isolated growth hormone deficiency and further prenatal diagnosis of an unborn sibling

Familial isolated growth hormone deficiency (GHD) type 1 is characterized by an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance with varying degrees of phenotypic severity. We report a proband, with isolated GHD (IGHD) with very early growth arrest and undetectable levels of GH. Homozygous complete deletion of the GH1 gene was identified by real-time/quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT/q-PCR) and confirmed by an independent molecular genetic method; the multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) technique. Prenatal diagnosis was offered for the subsequent pregnancy in the mother of our proband. Identical heterozygous deletion of the GH1 gene was detected in both parents. The fetus had a similar homozygous deletion of the GH1 gene. We thus report a unique case with a confirmed mutation in GH1 gene in the proband followed by prenatal detection of the same mutation in the amniotic fluid which to our knowledge hitherto has not been documented from India.     

鲻鱼早期卵子发生的超微结构研究

用电子显微镜技术观察鲻鱼早期卵子发生进入第一次成熟分裂前期联会丝复合体期、粗线期、双线期和网状期卵原细胞和初级卵母细胞生发泡和胸质的超微结构特点。在联会丝复合体期,生发泡内同源染色体配对,联会丝复合体中央出现重组节,胞质中不同发育类型的核仁样及其相关线粒体的分布及其数量可作为划分鲻鱼早期卵子发生各个时期的依据。另外,首次观察到靠近膜细胞有一种不规则形细胞,推测是分泌成熟抑制肽细胞。     

天香胶囊对晕动病模型大鼠前庭核NMDAR1信号通路的影响*

目的:观察天香胶囊对晕动病模型大鼠前庭核NMDAR1(N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸受体1,N-methyl-D-aspartate acid receptor 1)、P-CaMKⅡ (磷酸化钙调蛋白激酶Ⅱ-亚基,the phosphorylation of calmodulin protein kinase Ⅱ alpha subunit)、P-CREB(磷酸化cAMP反应元件结合蛋白,the phosphorylation of cAMP response element binding protein)表达的影响,探讨天香胶囊调节晕动病模型大鼠前庭核兴奋性的内在分子机制。方法:将36只雄性SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组、模型组、阳性药对照组(东莨菪碱)、天香胶囊低、中、高剂量组。灌胃预给药3天后,采用双轴旋转刺激法复制大鼠晕动病模型,通过Western blotting法检测各组大鼠前庭核NMDAR1、P-CaMKⅡ/CaMKⅡ、P-CREB/CREB的表达情况。结果:与正常组大鼠相比,模型组大鼠前庭核NMDAR1、P-CaMKⅡ、P-CREB蛋白表达水平显著增加;与模型组相比,中、高剂量天香胶囊可显著下调晕动病模型大鼠前庭核组织NMDAR1、P-CaMKⅡ、P-CREB蛋白表达。结论:天香胶囊可抑制晕动病模型大鼠前庭核NMDAR1信号通路的活化,这可能是其在治疗晕动病中降低前庭核兴奋性的内在分子机制之一。     

Identification of sites in the second exomembrane loop and ninth transmembrane helix of the mammalian Na+/H+ exchanger important for drug recognition and cation translocation

Mammalian Na(+)/H(+) exchanger (NHE) isoforms are differentially sensitive to inhibition by several distinct classes of pharmacological agents, including amiloride- and benzoyl guanidinium-based derivatives. The determinants of drug sensitivity, however, are only partially understood. Earlier studies of the drug-sensitive NHE1 isoform have shown that residues within the fourth membrane-spanning helix (M4) (Phe(165), Phe(166), Leu(167), and Gly(178)) and a 66-amino acid segment encompassing M9 contribute significantly to drug recognition. In this report, we have identified two residues within M9, one highly conserved (Glu(350)) and the other non-conserved (Gly(356)), that are major determinants of drug sensitivity. In addition, residues in the second exomembrane loop between M3 and M4 (Gly(152), Phe(157), and Pro(158)) were also found to modestly influence drug sensitivity. A double substitution of crucial sites within M4 and M9 of NHE1 with the corresponding residues present in the drug-resistant NHE3 isoform (i.e. L167F/G356A) greatly reduced drug sensitivity in a cooperative manner to levels nearing that of wild type NHE3. The above mutations did not appreciably affect Na(o)(+) affinity but did markedly decrease the catalytic turnover of the transporter. These data suggest that specific sites encompassing M4 and M9 are critical determinants of both drug recognition and cation translocation.     

玉米幼苗对风沙流强度变化的生理响应

在我国东北西部半干旱风沙区,春季玉米幼苗经常受到大风和风沙流危害.为了解风沙流危害下玉米幼苗的逆境生理特征,2013年在内蒙古东部科尔沁沙地研究了0(CK)、6、9、12、15和18 m·s-1等6个风速(风沙流强度分别为0、1.00、28.30、63.28、111.82和172.93g·cm-1·min-1)10 min吹袭下幼苗丙二醛含量、膜透性、保护酶活性和渗透调节物质含量的变化.结果表明:6~12 m·s-1的风沙流吹袭对玉米幼苗叶片含水量影响较小,而15和18m·s-1的风沙流吹袭导致其叶片相对含水量分别下降19.0%和18.7%.随着风沙流吹袭强度的增大,其丙二醛含量趋于下降,15和18 m·s-1处理分别较CK下降35.0%和39.0%;而膜透性大幅度增加,15和18 m·s-1处理分别较CK增加191.3%和187.8%;SOD活性降低,CAT反应不敏感,POD活性显著增强.对于风沙流造成的轻度水分胁迫,其可溶性糖和脯氨酸均未发挥渗透调节作用,但在15和18 m·s-1强风沙流吹袭下其脯氨酸含量分别增加11.4%和24.5%,起到了渗透调节作用.