Correlation between progression of atherosclerosis accelerated by emotional stimulation and imbalance of SDF-1/CXCR4 in mice

AIM To observe effects of emotional stimulation on expression of stromal cell-derived factor-1（SDF-1） and CXC chemokine receptor 4 （CXCR4） in plasma, platelets, aortas, hippocampus and bone marrow of apolipoprotein E gene knockout （ApoE^-/-） mice, and to reveal the possible mechanism of the aggravated atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability by emotional stimulation. METHODS Thirty 8-week-old male ApoE^-/- mice were randomly divided into normal control group, high fat group, and emotional stimulation group. Ten 8-week-old inbred C57BL/6J mice served as blank control group. After 12 weeks of intervention, the serum levels of SDF-1 and CXCR4 were investigated by ELISA. The protein levels of SDF-1 and CXCR4 in platelets, aortas, hippocampus and bone marrow were determined by Western blot. The pathological damage of aortas was observed by oil red O staining. RESULTS Compared with blank control group, normal control group and high fat group, the mice subjected to emotional stimulation showed more serious atherosclerosis in aortas detected by oil red O staining, and increased levels of SDF-1 and CXCR4 in the plasma and aortas were also observed （P<0.05）. The results of Western blot showed that the protein levels of SDF-1 and CXCR4 in platelets, aortas and hippocampus were increased in the mice subjected emotional stimulation, but the expression of SDF-1 and CXCR4 in the bone marrow was decreased （P<0.05）. CONCLUSION Imbalance of SDF-1/CXCR4 may be the key target by which emotional stimulation accelerates the progression of atherosclerosis.     

芥蓝二氢黄酮醇4–还原酶基因BoaDFR的克隆与功能鉴定

以白花芥蓝‘四季粗条’为材料克隆了Boa DFR基因,Gen Bank登录号为MT472647,CDS序列长为1158 bp,编码385个氨基酸,与甘蓝型油菜、甘蓝和白菜等具有高度同源性。Boa DFR表达水平在芥蓝不同发育时期、不同器官中存在显著差异,随植株发育总体呈现先下降后上升的趋势,在幼嫩种子中表达量最高。芥蓝原生质体的亚细胞定位结果显示Boa DFR定位在细胞核上。构建了农杆菌介导的芥蓝瞬时过表达体系,将Boa DFR转入白花芥蓝‘四季粗条’和黄花芥蓝‘福州黄花’中,发现Boa DFR在两种芥蓝中均高水平表达,转基因植株叶片颜色明显变紫,花青素苷显著积累,总含量最高达461.43μg·g-1 FW,而野生型和转空载体芥蓝叶片中几乎检测不到花青素苷。通过HPLC在转基因植株叶片中共检测到8种花青素苷,均为矢车菊花青素苷,其中矢车菊–3–阿魏酰–丙二酰–槐糖苷–5–葡萄糖苷占比最高。     

菜籽中4—羟基—3—甲基吲哚硫代葡萄糖苷的离子交换色谱法分离

本文报道用ＤＥＡＥ Ｓｅｐｈａｄｅｘ Ａ－２５作固定相，硫酸钾溶液作流动相的离子交换色谱法，从菜籽中分离４－羟基－３－甲基吲哚硫代葡萄糖苷的方法。     

A role for Toll-like receptor 4 in the host response to the lung infection of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis in mice

Although a Yersinia pseudotuberculosis (Yptb) lung infection model has been developed to study Y. pestis pathogenesis, it is still necessary to establish a new animal model to mimic the pathophysiological features induced by Y. pestis infection. Here, we provide a new lung infection model using the Yptb strain, IP2777, which displayed rapid spread of bacteria to the liver, spleen, and blood. In addition, we examined whether TLR4 is involved in Yptb-induced pathogenesis in the lung infection model of mice we generated. Following lung infection of WT and TLR4-deficient mice with the Yptb strain IP2777, the survival rate, bacterial colonization, histopathology, and level of cytokines and chemokines in the lung, spleen, liver, and blood were analyzed. TLR4-deficient mice had a lower survival rate than WT mice in response to Yptb lung infection. Although the bacterial colonization and pathology of the lung were comparable between WT and TLR4-deficient mice, those of the spleen and liver were more severe in TLR4-deficient mice. In addition, the levels of TNF-α and CXCL2 in the liver and IL-6 and CXCL2 in the blood were higher in TLR4-deficient mice than in WT mice. Our results demonstrate that TLR4 is necessary for optimal host protection against Yptb lung infection and TLR4-deficient mice may serve as a better genetic model of Yptb infection for mimicking Y. pestis infection.     

Significance of salt transport patterns in rice varieties differing in salt tolerance

Abstract

The absorption mechanisms for Na, K, SO₄ and Cl were tested in a salt tolerant (PVR 1) and a salt sensitive (GEB 24) rice varieties. The salt tolerant variety accumulated significantly larger amounts of Na than the salt sensitive variety. Further, PVR 1 absorbed SO₄ from Na₂SO₄ in preference to that from K₂SO₄. The absorption patterns for K and Cl were similar in both the varieties. It is concluded that the capacity of plant species to accumulate greater amounts of Na is a reflection of their halophytic feature.     

The Leaching Behaviour and Balances of Nitrogen and Other Elements under Spring Wheat in Lysimeter Experiment 1985–92

Abstract

In a lysimeter study it was found that moderate rates of ammonium nitrate increased utilization percentages in spring wheat, and the leaching was 10% or less of added N. Over-optimal rates reduced utilization percentages and increased leaching to almost 50% of the highest doses. Late split application of calcium nitrate increased the percentage of N in grain. Furthermore, leaching of N was not reduced, but occurred somewhat later in the fall and winter seasons. Leaching of Cl^? was more rapid and that of SO₄ ^2- was delayed relative to the leaching of NO₃ ^?. Rather large negative N balances were obtained, also after over-optimal application rates, and total N content of the soil was reduced. Compared with the N₀ treatment, differences in soil N residues amounted to 15–25% of added N in seven years. Gaseous losses had apparently taken place both from the added N and from soil N according to the total-N analysis.     

Investigations on the radioactive contamination of crop plants as a result of H-bomb detonation (Part 2) Root and foliage uptake of “Bikini ash”

The Foliar Uptake by Squash Plant

The radioactive ash for experimental use, hereafter referred to as “Bikini ash”, was prepared by igniting the heavily contaminated substances on board No. 5 Fukuryu Maru at about 650°C, followed by sifting through a 100 mesh sieve. On ignition some parts of the fission products, particularly iodine, ruthenium and tellurium would have possibly been lost to the air.     

牛TLR4基因生物信息学分析

为了更加深入地了解牛TLR4基因的功能、结构及与该基因有关联的疾病识别及其致病机理,利用牛TLR4基因的氨基酸序列对其编码蛋白的基本理化性质、蛋白质译后的磷酸化位点和糖基化位点以及跨膜结构域和蛋白质结构进行预测。结果显示,牛TLR4基因一共编码841个氨基酸,负电荷残基总和(Asp+Glu)为84,正电荷残基总和(Arg+Lys)为76,不稳定指数小于40,表明该基因编码产物稳定性较好。在该基因整个编码产物中,亲水氨基酸占比较多,平均分值为-0.011,由此得知TLR4基因编码的蛋白质是一种易溶蛋白。有9个潜在的N-糖基化位点;78个磷酸化位点以及存在一个跨膜蛋白和存在信号肽,其切割位点在第25和第26个氨基酸之间。蛋白质的二、三级结构预测结果显示,二级结构和三级结构均由α-螺旋、β-折叠和无规则卷曲组成,其在生物合成、基因表达与调控等方面有重要作用。本研究结果可为牛TLR4基因深入研究提供理论基础。     

西葫芦新品种晋西葫芦4号的选育

西葫芦新品种晋西葫芦4号是以国外西葫芦品种的分离后代经多代自交选育而成的纯合自交系D-95-2为母本,以从我国地方品种白皮西葫芦中选育的稳定自交系E-96-8为父本杂交育成的早熟一代杂交种。该品种属短蔓密植类型,极早熟;嫩瓜皮色为鲜嫩的浅绿色,带细网纹,长筒形,光泽度好;植株生长势强,雌花多,瓜码密,耐低温、弱光,丰产,抗病,667m2产量5000kg左右。适合我国北方大部分地区早春各种保护地及露地栽培。     

Phenolic compounds in plant disease resistance

We propose that an important first line in plant defense against infection is provided by the very rapid synthesis of phenolics and their polymerization in the cell wall. This rapid synthesis, which leaves no time forde novo enzyme synthesis, is regulated by the extreme pH-dependence of the hydroxylase, catalyzing the formation of caffeoyl-CoA from 4-coumaroyl-CoA. We further propose that elicitor treatment or infection causes rapid membrane changes leading to a decrease in cytoplasmic pH. This decrease would have the effect of activating the hydroxylase.