Proteomic analysis of the effects of tumor necrosis factor-α on endothelial cells

AIM: To investigate the affected proteins by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in endothelial cells, and further explore the potential molecular mechanism of TNF-α on endothelial cells. METHODS: Nitric oxide (NO) production in the cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was measured by a NO assay kit. Proteomic alterations were analyzed using two-dimensional electrophoresis, and peptide mass fingerprinting with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry. RESULTS: NO production in HUVECs decreased significantly after TNF-α treatement. Proteomics analysis showed 21 protein spots were changed including 9 spots that were increased and 11 spots that were decreased after TNF-α stimulation, and 1 spot was only detected in TNF-α activated cell gels. CONCLUSIONS: Decreased the expression of ecNOS by TNF-α might result in decreased NO production. Up-regulated MAP/ERK kinase 3 expression might imply that TNF-α activates the expression of adhesion molecules. Cytoskeletal protein actin is also involved in TNF-α injuried HUVECs. Proteomic analysis can find some clues for identifying new potential target of TNF-α.     

Changes of Ca2＋ activated potassium channels and cellular-proliferation in autogenous vein grafts

AIM: To investigate changes of Ca^2＋ activated potassium channels (K_Ca) in autogenous vein grafts. METHODS: The contraction of venous ring was measured by means of perfusion in vitro. The intimal proliferation and proliferation of cultured smooth muscle cells (vascular smooth muscle cells, VSMCs) were observed by the means of computerised image analysis and MTT method, respectively. Furthermore, whole cell mode of patch clamp was used to record K_Ca of VSMCs isolated from autogenous vein grafts. RESULTS: 1 week after transplantation there were no significant differences of contraction and intimal relative thickness between autogenous vein grafts and control. Contraction and intimal relative thickness of autogenous vein graft were significantly increased 2 weeks after transplantation (P＜0.05, n=8 vs control), and they were more enhanced 4 weeks after vein transplantation (P＜0.01, n=8 vs control). TEA (blocker of Ca^2＋ activated potassium channels) increased MTT A₄₉₀ value of VSMCs from femoral vein in a dose-dependent manner (P＜0.05, n=8). K_Ca current density was significantly attenuated in VSMCs from autogenous vein grafts 1-4 weeks after transplantation (P＜0.05, n=5). CONCLUSION: K_Ca was inhibited in autogenous vein graft, which accounted for vasospasm and intimal proliferation.     

Effect of sodium nitroprusside on activation of nuclear factor κB

AIM: To investigate the effect of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) on activation of nuclear factor κB. METHODS: The techniques of culture of human T lymphocytes, Western blot and RT-PCR were applied. The effects of NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) at different concentrations on mRNA and protein expression of IκB_α in human T lymphocytes at 30 min or 120 min after stimulating with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA-P) were observed. RESULTS: SNP at middle or high concentrations reduced the degradation of κIB_αprotein 30 min after stimulating with PHA-P,and increased the re-expression of κIB_αmRNA 120 min after stimulating with PHA-P significantly.CONCLUSION: The mechanism of inhibitory effect of SNP at middle or high concentrations may be due to the decrease in degradation and the increase in re-synthesis of κIB_α.The regulatory mechanism of SNP at low concentration may not be through κIB_α.     

Influence of irbesarten on renal hypertrophy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats LIU Bi-cheng,LUO Dong-dong,ZHANG Xiao-liang.

AIM: To investigate the influence of irbesartan (Irb), a new angiotensin II receptor 1 antagonist, on renal hypertrophy in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into three groups: normal group (Group N, n=7), diabetic group (Group DN, n=6) and irbesartan treated group (Group DNI, n=7). In the experimental group, after the rats subjected to uninephrectomy, STZ was given by peritoneally injection at bolus dose of 50 mg/kg to induce diabetes. Blood glucose (BG), body weight (BW), urinary albumin excretion (Ualb), 24 hour proteinuria (24 h Upro) were measured at week 4, 8, 12, respectively. By the end of experiment at week 12, creatinine clearance (Ccr), kidney weight (KW), indicator of renal hypertrophy (KW/BW), renal total protein content (RTP), glomerular area (AG) and glomerular volume (VG) as well as glomerular basement membrane (GBM) were determined by semi-quantitative pathology technique. RESULTS: It was showed that there was no significant difference in BG between group DN and DNI, while Irb significantly reduced the increasing of Ualb, 24 h Upro in diabetic rats compared to control group (P＜0.01, respectively). Furthermore, Irb markedly inhibited the increasing of KW, KW/BW, RTP, A_G, V_G in diabetic rats (P＜0.05, P＜0.01, respectively). Of interest, Irb significantly prevented the increasing of GBM in diabetic rats. CONCLUSION: Irb exerts its early renal protective action by reducing proteinuria and inhibiting renal hypertrophy as well as the thickening of GBM.     

披碱草和野大麦杂种F1与BC1F1代的生物学及农艺特性研究

对披碱草和野大麦及其杂种F1与BC1F1代的生物学及农艺特性进行了分析比较。结果表明,亲本野大麦生长发育节律较快,较早地开花结实,果后营养期较长,生育期74d,生长天数达206d,具有很强的分蘖能力;披碱草生长发育节律较慢,生育期124d,生长天数193d;杂种F1的生长天数介于双亲之间,生长动态偏向亲本披碱草,分蘖能力介于双亲之间;BC1F1代生长发育节律较F1代提早,不同株系生长天数不同,生长动态偏向轮回亲本野大麦,分蘖能力有较大的变异。杂种F1代表现出较强的杂种优势,BC1F1代产草量较F1代有所降低,不同株系间存在明显的差异。总体上,BC1F1代的生产性能倾向于轮回亲本野大麦。     

大肠杆菌新型菌毛(F1987)的基因定位

对动物产肠毒素性大肠杆菌 (ETEC)的一种新型菌毛 (F1987)进行了相应基因的定位研究 ,通过对表达该新型菌毛 (F1987)相应 ETEC菌株的培养、质粒提取、对大肠杆菌受体菌株 DH5α的转化及阳性转化子筛选与相应菌毛表达的检定等 ,初步表明该新型菌毛 (F1987)的基因定位于质粒上     

H5N1亚型禽流感病毒核蛋白基因的克隆及分子进化分析

用RT-PCR法,以1株h5N1亚型禽流感病毒RNA为模板,扩增了NP全基因cDNA.将cDNA克隆于pMD18-T载体,并对其进行测序.测序结果表明所克隆的1542个核苷酸的片段包含了核蛋白完整阅读框架,其中编码区为1497个核苷酸,编码498个氨基酸.将其序列与6株A型流感病毒NP基因序列进行比较,各毒株之间NP基因核苷酸序列同源性为92.5%～95.9%,编码的氨基酸同源性为97.0%～98.4%.本研究通过分子进化分析揭示了各毒株间的亲源关系.     

Material in the middle ear of dogs having magnetic resonance imaging for investigation of neurologic signs

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and potential significance of finding material in the middle ear of dogs having magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Of 466 MR studies reviewed, an increased signal was identified in the tympanic bulla in 32 (7%) dogs. Cavalier King Charles spaniels, Cocker spaniels, Bulldogs, and Boxers were over-represented compared to the population of dogs having MR imaging. Five (16%) dogs had definite otitis media and one (3%) had a meningioma invading the middle ear. Of the remaining dogs, 13 (41%) had possible otitis media and 13 (41%) had neurologic conditions apparently unrelated to otitis media. The most common appearance of material in the middle ear was isointense in T1-weighted images and hyperintense in T2-weighted images. There was no apparent correlation between the signal characteristics of the material and the diagnosis. Enhanced signal after gadolinium administration was observed affecting the lining of the bulla in dogs with otitis media and in dogs with unrelated neurologic conditions. In dogs without clinical signs of otitis media, finding an increased signal in the middle ear during MR imaging may reflect subclinical otitis media or fluid accumulation unrelated to inflammation. Brachycephalic dogs may be predisposed to this condition.     

江河源区披碱草和星星草混播草地土壤物理性状对牦牛放牧强度的响应

在江河源区披碱草Elymus natans 星星草Puccinellia tenuflora混播人工草地上研究了牦牛放牧强度对土壤物理性状的影响,2年的试验结果表明:随着放牧强度的增加,不同土壤层含水量均呈降低趋势,土壤容重、土壤坚实度呈增大趋势.相关分析表明, 放牧强度与不同土壤层含水量呈极显著的负相关(P＜0.01), 与土壤容重和坚实度呈极显著的正相关(P＜0.01),而且土壤容重和坚实度均具有累积效应.     

草地螟和黄草地螟危害苜蓿产量损失及防治指标的研究

采用人工接虫的方法,研究了草地螟的虫口密度与苜蓿产量损失之间的关系和防治指标.结果表明,苜蓿干草产量损失率(y)与20枝条虫量(x)的关系为y=4.936 6x-0.850 9,相关系数r为0.994 3,二者相关性极显著.按照防治的直接收益与直接成本,确定了宁夏旱地苜蓿和水地苜蓿草地螟的防治指标,旱地苜蓿刈割2和3次的草地螟的防治指标分别是10和14头/100枝,水地苜蓿草地螟的防治指标是7头/100枝.依据同样的试验方法,制定了黄草地螟危害苜蓿的防治指标,旱地苜蓿刈割2和3次的黄草地螟的防治指标分别是45和60头/100枝,水地苜蓿黄草地螟的防治指标是36头/100枝.