FoxA转录因子在肝脏发育中的研究进展

FoxA蛋白是一类DNA结合区具有翼状螺旋结构的转录因子,已发现其三名成员FoxAl、FoxA2和FoxA3在哺乳动物胚胎期的器官形成、成体时期的新陈代谢和内环境稳定中起着重要作用。肝脏发育FoxA亚家族成员起着关键调控作用,在肝向命运决定中扮演“先锋因子”的角色。该文对FoxA转录因子在肝脏发育中的调控作用进行了小结,综述了近年来的最新研究成果。     

丰林典型阔叶红松林地表鞘翅目成虫空间异质性及其与环境因子的空间关联性

土壤动物群落空间异质性及其与环境因子的空间作用关系, 是揭示土壤生态系统格局与过程及生物多样性维持机制的重要基础。作者于2015年生长季节(8月)、寒冷季节(10月)在丰林典型阔叶红松林动态监测样地内, 采用陷阱法调查地表鞘翅目成虫群落, 基于地统计空间分析方法, 揭示步甲科和隐翅虫科群落个体数和物种数及优势种的空间格局, 并分析这些空间格局与土壤含水量和地形因子的空间关联性。两次采样共捕获步甲科成虫26种617只, 隐翅虫科19种222只。8月群落个体数和物种数表现为中等变异, 10月为强变异, 群落组成在两个月间具有显著差异。生长季节(8月)和寒冷季节(10月)步甲科和隐翅虫科群落多表现为中等的空间自相关性, 空间分异由随机性因素和结构性因素共同决定。单个物种的个体数多具有中等的空间异质性特征, 且其空间分异主要由随机性因素和结构性因素共同调控。生长季节群落的个体数、物种数和优势种个体数多形成斑块和孔隙镶嵌分布的空间格局。物种之间及物种与环境因子之间多为复杂的空间关联性, 这些关联性主要受到结构性因素或随机性因素的单一调控。典范对应分析(canonical correspondence analysis, CCA)结果表明, 8月土壤含水量对步甲科和隐翅虫科物种分布影响显著, 10月凹凸度对步甲科分布影响显著, 海拔对隐翅虫科分布具有显著影响。本研究表明地表步甲科和隐翅虫科在生长季节形成明显的空间格局而在寒冷季节空间格局不明显, 为不同尺度地表土壤动物空间异质性和生物多样性维持机制研究提供了理论基础。     

Expression profiles and potential roles of transfer RNA-derived small RNAs in atherosclerosis

Knowledge regarding the relationship between the molecular mechanisms underlying atherosclerosis (AS) and transfer RNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) is limited. This study illustrated the expression profile of tsRNAs, thus exploring its roles in AS pathogenesis. Small RNA sequencing was performed with four atherosclerotic arterial and four healthy subject samples. Using bioinformatics, the protein-protein interaction network and cellular experiments were constructed to predict the enriched signalling pathways and regulatory roles of tsRNAs in AS. Of the total 315 tsRNAs identified to be dysregulated in the AS group, 131 and 184 were up-regulated and down-regulated, respectively. Interestingly, the pathway of the differentiated expression of tsRNAs in cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) was implicated to be closely associated with AS. Particularly, tRF-Gly-GCC might participate in AS pathogenesis via regulating cell adhesion, proliferation, migration and phenotypic transformation in HUVECs and VSMCs. In conclusion, tsRNAs might help understand the molecular mechanisms of AS better. tRF-Gly-GCC may be a promising target for suppressing abnormal vessels functions, suggesting a novel strategy for preventing the progression of atherosclerosis.     

βII spectrin (SPTBN1): biological function and clinical potential in cancer and other diseases

βII spectrin, the most common isoform of non-erythrocyte spectrin, is a cytoskeleton protein present in all nucleated cells. Interestingly, βII spectrin is essential for the development of various organs such as nerve, epithelium, inner ear, liver and heart. The functions of βII spectrin include not only establishing and maintaining the cell structure but also regulating a variety of cellular functions, such as cell apoptosis, cell adhesion, cell spreading and cell cycle regulation. Notably, βII spectrin dysfunction is associated with embryonic lethality and the DNA damage response. More recently, the detection of altered βII spectrin expression in tumors indicated that βII spectrin might be involved in the development and progression of cancer. Its mutations and disorders could result in developmental disabilities and various diseases. The versatile roles of βII spectrin in disease have been examined in an increasing number of studies; nonetheless, the exact mechanisms of βII spectrin are still poorly understood. Thus, we summarize the structural features and biological roles of βII spectrin and discuss its molecular mechanisms and functions in development, homeostasis, regeneration and differentiation. This review highlight the potential effects of βII spectrin dysfunction in cancer and other diseases, outstanding questions for the future investigation of therapeutic targets. The investigation of the regulatory mechanism of βII spectrin signal inactivation and recovery may bring hope for future therapy of related diseases.     

盐土生古菌属（Haloterrigena）分类研究进展

盐土生古菌属(Haloterrigena)是一类生长在含有1.7～5.5 mol/L NaCl、17～60℃温度范围内的极端嗜盐古菌。自该属1999年被建立以来,目前已有10个种被有效发表。但是在基于16S rRNA或rpoB'基因的系统进化树上,盐土生古菌属物种常与碱线菌属(Natrinema)和嗜盐碱红菌属(Natronorubrum)的成员交叉聚类在一起;而且盐土生古菌属内各成员间的特征也不尽相同,如多数盐土生古菌属菌株生长pH范围6.0～9.0,最适pH 7.0～7.5,然而大庆盐土生古菌(Haloterrigena daqingensis)为该属的唯一嗜碱成员,生长pH在8.0～10.5,最适为pH 10.0;在化学分类特征方面,该属的多数菌株含有糖脂类型为双硫化二糖基二醚(disulfated diglycosyl diether,S2-DGD-1),然而伊斯帕尼亚盐土生古菌(Haloterrigena hispanica)菌株FP1含有S-DGD硫酸化二糖基二醚(sulfated diglycosyl diether)。鉴于该属存在的这些特殊特征,以及与碱线菌属和嗜盐碱红菌属在系统进化上的特殊关系,结合前期发表的该属的新种和相关文献资料,系统综述了盐土生古菌属的建立、分类学特征、生态分布、基因组信息等方面的研究进展,以期为盐土生古菌属已知种分类地位的确定、该属其他新分离菌株的分类鉴定、功能基因资源的挖掘与开发提供借鉴。     

Electrogenerated chemiluminescence of novel TiO2/CdS nanocomposites for sensitive assays of cancer cells

A novel TiO₂/CdS nanocomposite was prepared and used to fabricate an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) biosensor for the detection of cancer cells for the first time. The nanocomposite exhibited a strong cathodic ECL signal. Folic acid for targeting cell membranes was bound to a TiO₂/CdS/3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane film, and specific recognition of folic acid to targeting cells was achieved, leading to a significant decrease in ECL intensity. The decrease in ECL signal was logarithmically related to the cell concentration in the range of 150–9600 cells mL^-1. The ECL biosensor could provide a sensitive, selective, and convenient approach for early and accurate detection of cancer cells.     

No elevation of serum adiponectin in OSA patients after continuous positive airway pressure treatment: a meta-analysis

Sleep and Biological Rhythms - It is reported that the level of serum adiponectin is closely associated with status of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, the effect of continuous positive...     

人中鼻甲来源嗅鞘细胞培养与鉴定的初步研究

目的探索一种从人中鼻甲分离培养嗅鞘细胞的方法并鉴定所获得的细胞。 方法通过手术获取人中鼻甲黏膜组织,随后进行两步消化并剥离黏膜上皮组织,得到体积较小的组织块,再进行组织块原代（传代）培养并加压筛选,最终得到双极或多极样细胞并对获得的细胞进行免疫荧光鉴定。上皮样细胞比例、S100β和p75阳性细胞比例用 ±s表示,组间比较采用独立样本t检验。 结果将不剥离上皮层与剥离上皮层培养的原代细胞中上皮样细胞的比例进行对比,发现上皮层组上皮样细胞比例为（92.23±3.93）%高于剥离上皮层组上皮样细胞的比例（77.63±2.97）%,差异具有统计学意义（t = 5.129,P = 0.007）。采用剥离上皮层法培养原代细胞,经过加压筛选的细胞呈现双极或多极样,符合嗅鞘细胞形态学特点。免疫荧光染色发现,S100β阳性细胞占总细胞量的（8.1±1.7）%,而p75阳性细胞占总细胞量的5%以下,达到国内外研究同等水平。 结论通过使用两步消化法和加压筛选联合的方法从人中鼻甲粘膜组织中成功获得了人中鼻甲嗅鞘细胞,相比较传统方法,细胞分离培养周期明显缩短。