Intra-Peritoneal Hyperthermia Combining α-Galactosylceramide in the Treatment of Ovarian Cancer

The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-tumor effect and potential mechanisms of i.p. hyperthermia in combination with α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer) for the treatment of ovarian cancer. In this study, immuno-competent tumor models were established using murine ovarian cancer cell lines and treated with i.p. hyperthermia combining α-GalCer. Th1/Th2 cytokine expression profiles in the serum, NK cell cytotoxicity and phagocytic activities of dendritic cells (DCs) were assayed. We also analyzed the number of CD8⁺/IFN-γ⁺ tumor specific cytotoxic T cells, as well as the tumor growth based on depletion of lymphocyte sub-population. Therapeutic effect on those ovarian tumors was monitored by a non-invasive luminescent imaging system. Intra-peritoneal hyperthermia induced significant pro-inflammatory cytokines expression, and sustained the response of NK and DCs induced by α-GalCer treatment. The combination treatment enhanced the cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) immune response in two mouse ovarian cancer models. This novel treatment modality by combination of hyperthermia and glycolipid provides a pronounced anti-tumor immune response and better survival. In conclusion, intra-peritoneal hyperthermia enhanced the pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion and phagocytic activity of DCs stimulated by α-GalCer. The subsequent CTL immune response induced by α-GalCer was further strengthened by combining with i.p. hyperthermia. Both innate and adaptive immunities were involved and resulted in a superior therapeutic effect in treating the ovarian cancer.     

油菜叶片蛋白质组对机械损伤应答的初步分析

 植物在对抗昆虫的长期进化过程中形成了自我防御机制,能够产生特异的抗性蛋白来应对昆虫的取食。该文用机械损伤模拟害虫取食,研究和 对比了油菜(Brassica napus cv. Westar)在机械损伤前后可溶性总蛋白的含量变化并试图通过蛋白质组学技术来检测可能发生变化的蛋白质。 蛋白质定量检测发现,同一植株同一叶片损伤前后可溶性总蛋白含量差异显著,损伤后蛋白表达量增高。 蛋白质双向凝胶电泳及其差异显示分 析损伤前后的蛋白质组,表明有8个蛋白质点发生明显的上调或下调。选择其中2个差异蛋白点经过MALDI-TOF质谱鉴定,它们分别是Rubisco小 亚基前体、果糖-1,6-二磷酸醛缩酶和粪卟啉-3-氧化酶,这些蛋白质可能在油菜叶片应答机械损伤过程中对维持植物的生理功能起到重要作用 。     

Genetic diagnosis of neurofibromatosis type 1: targeted next- generation sequencing with Multiple Ligation-Dependent Probe Amplification analysis

Background

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a dominantly inherited tumor predisposition syndrome that targets the peripheral nervous system. It is caused by mutations of the NF1 gene which serve as a negative regulator of the cellular Ras/MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinases) signaling pathway. Owing to the complexity in some parts of clinical diagnoses and the need for better understanding of its molecular relationships, a genetic characterization of this disorder will be helpful in the clinical setting.

Methods

In this study, we present a customized targeted gene panel of NF1/KRAS/BRAF/p53 and SPRED1 genes combined with Multiple Ligation-Dependent Probe Amplification analysis for the NF1 mutation screening in a cohort of patients clinically suspected as NF1.

Results

In this study, we identified 73 NF1 mutations and two BRAF novel variants from 100 NF1 patients who were suspected as having NF1. These genetic alterations are heterogeneous and distribute in a complicated way without clustering in either cysteine–serine-rich domain or within the GAP-related domain. We also detected fifteen multi-exon deletions within the NF1 gene by MLPA Analysis.

Conclusions

Our results suggested that a genetic screening using a NGS panel with high coverage of Ras–signaling components combined with Multiple Ligation-Dependent Probe Amplification analysis will enable differential diagnosis of patients with overlapping clinical features.

     

Expression of Bt cry1Ac in transgenic oilseed rape in China and transgenic performance of intraspecific hybrids against Helicoverpa armigera larvae

The expression of a synthetic Bacillus thuringiensis ( Bt ) cry1Ac gene in oilseed rape (OSR, Brassica napus ) was monitored under field conditions in China, and performance against Helicoverpa armigera larvae was compared in intraspecific hybrids with a Chinese OSR variety. Leaf samples from transgenic OSR were collected at various developmental stages in two separate field experiments. The Bt Cry1Ac concentrations in the third uppermost leaves increased before pod formation stage and either increased or decreased after pod formation stage whereas the total soluble protein increased before and decreased after pod-fill in the later growing season. Spontaneously formed intraspecific hybrids between transgenic OSR and a Chinese conventional OSR were obtained in the field and transgenic status was confirmed by a green fluorescent protein (GFP) phenotype and polymerase chain reaction. A bioassay on the neonate larvae of a susceptible strain of H.   armigera was performed to test the efficacy of Bt Cry1Ac toxin in hybrid OSR plants. Both the original transgenic OSR and hybrid plants had a negative effect on body-weight gain of insect larvae. It was assumed that Bt Cry1Ac toxin concentration was similar in hybrids compared to the original transgenic OSR at the investigated developmental stages. The frequency of hybrid production and volunteerism could potentially enhance the evolution of insect pest tolerance in the field.     

经验改变大鼠听皮层神经元的特征频率

应用常规电生理学技术,以神经元的特征频率和频率调谐曲线为指标,研究大鼠听皮层神经元特征频率的可塑性. 结果表明,在给予的条件刺激频率和神经元特征频率相差1.0 kHz范围内,条件刺激可诱导50%以上神经元特征频率发生完全偏移,并可分为向频率调谐曲线的低频端偏移、高频端偏移,或两侧均可偏移三种类型. 其中,神经元的特征频率高、Q₁₀-dB值大和频率调谐曲线对称指数大于零的神经元,其特征频率偏向频率调谐曲线高频端的概率更高. 结果提示,经验可改变大鼠听皮层神经元的特征频率,为深入研究中枢神经元功能活动可塑性的机制提供了重要实验资料.     

弱背景噪声对大鼠听皮层神经元频率调谐的影响

在自然环境中,人和动物常在一定的背景噪声下感知信号声刺激,然而,关于低强度的弱背景噪声如何影响听皮层神经元对声刺激频率的编码尚不清楚.本研究以大鼠听皮层神经元的频率反应域为研究对象,测定了阈下背景噪声对79个神经元频率反应域的影响.结果表明,弱背景噪声对大鼠初级听皮层神经元的听反应既有抑制性影响、又有易化性影响.一般来说,抑制性影响使神经元的频率调谐范围和最佳频率反应域缩小,易化性影响使神经元的频率调谐范围和最佳频率反应域增大.对于少数神经元,弱背景噪声并未显著改变其频率调谐范围,但却改变了其最佳频率反应域范围.弱背景噪声对63.64%神经元的特征频率和55.84%神经元的最低阈值无显著影响.神经元频率调谐曲线的尖部比中部更容易受到弱背景噪声的影响.该研究结果有助于我们进一步理解复杂声环境下大脑听皮层对听觉信息的编码机制.     

核桃豹蠹蛾生物学特性及防治

该项研究在石家庄进行。核桃豹蠹蛾主要危害核桃,它一年发生1代,以老熟幼虫越冬。翌年4月中旬化蛹,5月下旬羽化为成虫并产卵,6月中旬卵孵化为幼虫。在6月中旬幼虫孵出前用3％呋喃丹根施药效％％,剪枝和虫孔给药法可以在低矮的树上应用。核桃豹蠹蛾越冬后的自然死亡率90％以上。抑制天敌有白僵菌、苏云金杆菌、病毒、土蜂2种、马蜂1种、蜘蛛2种和多种鸟雀。     

西天目山低山地区人工与自然生境夏季鸟类群落比较

为了研究西天目山低山地区人类活动对鸟类群落的影响,于2007年7月对该地区两种自然生境(常绿乔木林和灌丛)与两种人工生境(苗圃和公园)中鸟类的种类、数量及鸟类群落的相似性进行比较.结果表明,常绿乔木林与灌丛中的鸟类物种数最多,常绿乔木林中的鸟类密度显著高于灌丛中的鸟类密度.苗圃和公园中鸟类物种数及密度都显著低于常绿乔木林和灌丛.两种人工生境中鸟类群落相似性最高,广性分布物种是这两种生境中鸟类群落的主要组成部分,而狭性分布物种仅在常绿乔木林和灌丛中分布.以上结果表明,人类活动所造成的生境改变对鸟类多样性有不利影响.     

Degraded polysaccharides from Porphyra haitanensis: purification,physico-chemical properties,antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities

Glycoconjugate Journal - To explore effect of the structural properties of porphyra haitanensis polysaccharide on its biological activity, degraded porphyra polysaccharides were separated and...