Prevalence of Type VI Secretion System in Spanish Campylobacter jejuni Isolates

Infections from Campylobacter jejuni pose a serious public health problem and are now considered the leading cause of foodborne bacterial gastroenteritis throughout the world. Sequencing of C. jejuni genomes has previously allowed a number of loci to be identified, which encode virulence factors that aid survival and pathogenicity. Recently, a Type VI secretion system (T6SS) consisting of 13 conserved genes was described in C. jejuni strains and recognised to promote pathogenicity and adaptation to the environment. In this study, we determined the presence of this T6SS in 63 Spanish C. jejuni isolates from the food chain and urban effluents using whole‐genome sequencing. Our findings demonstrated that nine (14%) strains harboured the 13 ORFs found in prototype strain C. jejuni 108. Further studies will be necessary to determine the prevalence and importance of T6SS‐positive C. jejuni strains.     

Local pulmonary immune responses in domestic cats naturally infected with Cytauxzoon felis

Cytauxzoonosis is a hemoprotozoal disease of cats and wild felids in the South and Southeastern United States caused by Cytauxzoon felis. Although the causative agent has been recognized since the seventies, no study has examined the local immune response in affected organs, such as the lung, and compared them to the lungs of uninfected domestic cats. Previous studies have suggested that the histopathologic findings in the lungs of C. felis-infected cats are caused by the release of pro-inflammatory mediators, such as cytokines and increased production of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), by the infected macrophages. Our laboratory had previously found an upregulation of the adhesion molecule CD18, which can stimulate the release of these pro-inflammatory mediators. The objective of this study was to characterize local pulmonary immune responses in cats naturally infected with C. felis. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, iNOS, and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) II in 19 lungs from affected cats that died between 2005 and 2013. Results showed increased expression of all of these molecules when compared to lungs from uninfected, healthy cats. Furthermore, MHC II is expressed in the endothelium of C. felis naturally infected cats. These results support that there is a marked, local, pro-inflammatory immune response that can contribute to the pathogenesis of cytauxzoonosis in the lungs.     

Tumour necrosis factor stimulated gene 6 intrinsically regulates PD-L1 expressions in breast cancer cells,leading to modulation of tumour microenvironment

Recent studies have shown that tumour cells express tumour necrosis factor-inducible gene 6 (TSG-6) and its protein, which is known to play a key role in regulating excessive immune responses and proliferation and growth of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). It has not been confirmed whether the inhibition of TSG-6 for tumour cells can suppress tumour cell growth and regulate the activation of immune cells in the tumour microenvironment (TME). TSG-6-specific small interfering RNA was transfected into canine and human breast cancer cells (CIPp, CIPm and BT-20). TSG-6-down-regulated (siTSG-6) cells showed decreased cell proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities. Decreased mRNA expressions of NF-κB, STAT3 and Sox2, confirming that TSG-6 is an upper factor governing tumour growth and metastasis. Notably, siTSG-6 cells showed significantly decreased expression levels of CD44 and PD-L1. Direct and indirect co-culture of canine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (cPBMCs) and the siTSG-6 cells showed significant activation in M1 type macrophages and cytotoxic T cells. They also showed a tendency to decrease in the expression of CTLA-4 and increase in the expression of PD-1. In conclusion, this study suggests that the down-regulation of TSG-6 in breast cancer cells could not only suppress tumour growth and metastasis, and but also regulate TME. Since modulation of immune checkpoint proteins occurs in both tumour cells and immune cells, inhibiting TSG-6 and its protein within the TME could be novel therapeutic target for anticancer treatment.     

一种制备(3R,4R)-4,7,7-三甲基-6-氧杂二环[3.2.1]辛烷-3,4-二醇的新方法

在催化剂过氧磷钨酸十二烷基吡啶盐(Cat-PW4)的作用下,α-蒎烯与H2O2反应生成主要产物(3R,4R)-4,7,7-三甲基-6-氧杂二环[3.2.1]辛烷-3,4-二醇。不同反应条件对反应转化率和选择性的实验结果表明,最佳反应条件为:12.8 mmolα-蒎烯、5 m L溶剂三氯甲烷、0.2 g催化剂、3.3 m L 30%H2O2,反应温度40℃,反应时间3 h,α-蒎烯转化率和产物的选择性分别为94.7%和39.8%。反应结束后,该产物存在于水相和有机相中,通过萃取和重结晶分离提纯,得率11%,纯度达到98%;其分子结构通过红外光谱、紫外光谱、1H核磁共振谱、13C核磁共振谱、低分辨率质谱及高分辨率质谱确证。     

Fusarium solani Upregulated Sesquiterpene Synthase Expression,Sesquiterpene Production and Allelopathic Activity in Piper betle L.

Activators of sesquiterpene synthase (STS) gene expression and sesquiterpene production in Piper betle L. were examined using quantitative real time PCR and gas chromatography mass spectrometry methods, and the allelopathic activity of untreated and Fusarium solani-treated betel extracts was tested on seed germination and on the shoot and root growth of Thai rice variety PSL2 (Oryza sativa cv. Phitsanulok 2) and three dominant paddy weeds (Eclipta prostrata, Echinochloa crus-galli and Chloris barbata). The results demonstrated that F. solani dramatically upregulated STS expression and productions of β-cubebene, β-caryophyllene and germacrene D sesquiterpene when compared with the untreated control, and that betel extracts had a greater inhibitory effect on weeds than on rice. The effects were more clearly detected on seed germination and root growth than on shoot growth, and they were found to be dose-dependent. It is also noted that F. solani-treated extract had stronger effects than the untreated extract. The species most sensitive to the allelopathic effects was C. barbata, germination of which was completely inhibited even at a dose of 0.1 mg/mL untreated extract. With regards to rice, although betel extract at 1.0 mg/mL showed no inhibition on germination, it affected the elongation of rice roots, in addition to those of the tested weeds. The obtained data suggested that F. solani has potential as an activator of sesquiterpene allelochemical production via STS expression, the latter leading to the treated betel extract having a stronger phytotoxic effect. These results were beneficial in the promotion of natural herbicide production using biotechnology.     

Association of TNF-α, IL-10 and IL-6 promoter polymorphisms in pulmonary tuberculosis patients and their household contacts of younger age group

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of cytokine genes have been found to be involved in the clinical outcome of Tuberculosis. The present study was aimed to identify the high risk genotypes in Tuberculosis patients and their household contacts. A total of 490 subjects were studied which includes 150 active pulmonary tuberculosis patients (APTB), 190 household contacts (HHC) and 150 healthy controls (HC). The SNPs of TNF-α (-308A/G), IL-10(-1082G/A) and IL-6(-174G/C) were performed by ARMs PCR. The IL-10 GA genotype showed significant association in APTB and HHC and was 2.3 times higher risk in APTB and 3.7 times in HHC compared to HCs. The A allele was found to be significantly associated with the risk of disease. The CC genotype of IL-6 was found to be significantly associated in APTB and an insignificant positive association in HHCs. The multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) analysis indicated that the genotypes of IL-6 were showing high risk with GA genotype of IL-10. In conclusion the gene interaction may be useful for identification of genotypes as biomarkers to distinguish high risk individuals.     

柑橘胼胝质合成酶基因家族的表达分析

胼胝质由胼胝质合成酶合成,胼胝质沉积是植物对入侵病原的防御反应。为了探索胼胝质合成酶(Callose synthase,CalS)基因在柑橘中对黄龙病的应答情况,从甜橙基因组中筛选并利用生物信息学分析了柑橘胼胝质合成酶(CsCalS)家族的12个基因。这些基因编码的氨基酸序列与拟南芥中的胼胝质合成酶具有较高的同源性。荧光实时定量PCR结果显示,CsCalS5和CsCalS12在柑橘健康叶片中的表达量高于其他胼胝质合成酶基因。比较黄龙病感病材料和健康对照材料,发现CsCalS5、CsCalS7和CsCalS8在感病的‘砂糖橘’和‘强德勒’柚中均上调表达,可能参与柑橘对黄龙病病原的应答反应。     

Effects of taurine-zinc on learning and memory abilities of vascular dementia mice

AIM:To observe the effects of taurine-zinc (TZC) on the learning and memory abilities of vascular dementia (VD) mice and to investigate the related mechanism. METHODS:The mice were randomly divided into model group, sham group, and TZC at 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg groups. The mice in drug groups were given TZC by gavage at 10 mL/kg once daily. The mice in sham group and model group were given equal volume of distilled water. VD mice were established by intercepting both common carotid arteries and bleeding at caudal vein after 14 d of gavage. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were detected by ELISA. The levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nitric oxide (NO) were measured via spectrophotometer. Step-down test and Morris water maze test were used to examine the abilities of learning and memory in the mice. RESULTS:TZC at 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg reduced the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, iNOS and NO in the brain tissues. In the water maze test, TZC at 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg significantly decreased the error times and latency compared with model group. In the step-down test, the escape latency was prolonged and error times were lowered significantly by treatment with TZC at 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg as compared with model group. CONCLUSION:TZC improves the abilities of learning and memory, which might be related to the reduction of TNF-α, IL-1β, iNOS and NO levels in VD mice.     

小麦矮缩病毒引起的植株矮化与赤霉素代谢的相关性分析

【目的】由异沙叶蝉(Psammotettix alienus)传播的小麦矮缩病毒病是近年来中国西北部麦区严重发生的小麦病毒病害之一。受侵染的小麦植株严重矮化,有效分蘖减少,产量损失严重。论文旨在明确小麦矮缩病毒(Wheat dwarf virus,WDV)侵染小麦植株后矮化症状形成与赤霉素代谢调控的关系,为该病害的防治打下基础。【方法】以小麦品种扬麦12为试验材料,以异沙叶蝉为传毒介体饲毒后转移到1叶期的健康幼苗(3头/株)上进行传毒,同时以无毒异沙叶蝉取食健康幼苗为对照。根据试验需要,不同时间取样备用。为保证试验的准确性,经PCR检测为阳性的作为处理组试验材料;采用间接酶联免疫吸附(ELISA)法,利用植物赤霉素(GA3)试剂盒测定分析侵染第21天取样的小麦叶片赤霉素含量;将带毒条沙叶蝉接种的小麦苗分为两个平行处理组,接种后第7天分别用GA3(浓度为50 mg·L-1)和H2O进行叶面喷施处理,每隔一周处理一次。以无毒叶蝉接种后长势一致的小麦苗作为对照组,根据株高统计结果分析外施赤霉素对受侵染小麦植株的表型变化;以山羊草(Aegilops tauschii)的内根-贝壳杉烯合成酶(ent-kaurene synthase-like 3,KSL3)的基因编码区序列为参考基因设计引物(KSL3-F:5′-ATGATGGTGAATCCGCCGC-3′;KSL3-R:5′-TTAATGGTTGATCTTTGTTT-3′),对扬麦12的KSL3进行克隆和序列分析;分别取接种后7、14和21 d的小麦植株叶片,提取RNA后反转录,以克隆得到的Ta KSL3基因序列设计引物(Ta KSL3-F:5′-GAGACATGTGCCATGGCGTTC-3′;Ta KSL3-R:5′-CGTGTCACTCAGATCGGTGGAG-3′),选择小麦翻译延伸因子1A(EF-1α)作为内参基因,利用荧光定量PCR方法分析赤霉素代谢相关基因的转录水平。【结果】经ELISA检测发现,接种21 d的发病植株赤霉素含量与健康植株相比降低了28.9%;通过施用浓度为50 mg·L-1的赤霉素后,发病植株的平均株高相比对照组显著增加35.9%;采用同源克隆得到了完整的小麦赤霉素合成途径关键酶KSL3的编码区序列,长度为1 827 bp,编码608个氨基酸,BLAST比对分析发现该DNA序列与山羊草KSL3编码区序列相似度为85.2%。经荧光定量检测发现受小麦矮缩病毒侵染后小麦KSL3表达量显著下降,接种14 d降低为对照组的35.7%,21 d降低为对照组的9.6%。【结论】小麦矮缩病毒的侵染导致赤霉素合成途径关键酶的表达量降低,可能使赤霉素合成受阻,赤霉素含量降低引发受赤霉素调节的细胞生物学过程异常,从而诱导矮化症状形成。研究结果为揭示小麦矮缩病毒侵染的致病机理和病害防控打下了基础。     

农业机器人切削过程仿真分析——基于计算机辅助设计

利用6自由度机器人切削加工平台,讨论了该机器人与计算机辅助设计工具的数据链结构,研究了其运动控制过程,并对设计结果进行有效优化。通过介绍切削加工控制系统整体结构,构建了机器人运动学模型,并根据计算机辅助设计工具,对机器人后续优化过程的坐标转换、各关节正逆运动学计算以及机器人运动控制程序生成过程进行了深入研究。同时,对系统进行了ADAMS软件仿真,并完成了3D样件的加工。试验结果表明:该系统可以自动生成机器人运动控制程序的加工指令,直接驱动机器人末端执行刀具的运动,实现零部件的加工生产,可行性高。