归参汤对免疫抑制小鼠血清中IL-2、TNF-α和脾细胞Th1/Th2细胞因子的影响

为了探讨归参汤(GST)对免疫抑制小鼠血清中IL-2、TNF-α和脾细胞Th1/Th2细胞因子的影响。本试验采用环磷酰胺制造免疫抑制模型,利用双抗夹心ELISA法,观察归参汤对小鼠血清中IL-2、TNF-α的影响;RT-PCR法观察归参汤对小鼠脾细胞中INF-γ、IL-4、T-bet和GATA-3的mRNA表达的影响。结果显示:归参汤高剂量组可以显著增加免疫抑制小鼠血清中IL-2、TNF-α的含量(P<0.01),提高INF-γ的表达(P<0.05),降低IL-4的含量(P<0.05),升高T-bet(P<0.05),降低GATA-3的表达(P<0.05)。归参汤的免疫增强作用与升高血清中IL-2、TNF-α有关,且升高INF-γ/IL-4纠正免疫抑制小鼠Thl/Th2细胞因子的比例紊乱,其机制可能部分归因于对T-bet和GATA-3的mRNA表达的影响。     

水稻OsNHO1基因cDNA序列分离及表达分析

OsNHO1是一种甘油激酶,受多种因素的诱导,在植物先天免疫反应中起着重要的作用。笔者采用同源序列法,根据已报道的拟南芥NHO1基因序列结合水稻基因组测序结果,筛选水稻OsNHO1基因,采用RT-PCR获得水稻OsNHO1基因全长cDNA(1 590 bp,529AA),并通过半定量RT-PCR方法分析OsNHO1基因在SA,PXO99刺激下的表达模式,结果显示OsNHO1基因的表达受SA,PXO99的诱导,为进一步研究OsNHO1的具体功能和作用机理奠定了基础。     

Chronic alcohol intake-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition contri-butes to hepatic fibrogenesis in mice

AIM：To evaluate the effect of chronic alcohol intake on the histopathological changes of the liver and to determine the contribution of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) to hepatic fibrogenesis. METHODS：Thirty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 3 groups as following: the mice in control group was given (ig) water; the mice in low-dose alcohol group (2.0 g·kg -1·d -1) and high-dose alcohol group (4.0 g·kg -1·d -1) were given (ig) alcohol for 5 months. Alcohol-induced histopathological changes of the liver or development of hepatic fibrosis were evaluated using the histological methods with HE and Masson trichrome staining. The apoptosis of the liver was detected by TUNEL fluorometric staining (counterstained with DAPI). The activity of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was measured by an automated biochemical analyzer. The expression of fibroblast-specific protein 1 (FSP-1), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and E-cadherin in the hepatic tissues was detected by immunofluorescence examination. The protein levels of E-cadherin, α-SMA, FSP-1, transforming growth factor β 1 (TGF-β 1) and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) were analyzed by Western blotting. RESULTS：Compared with control, the activity of serum ALT and AST, and apoptotic index of liver tissues were increased in the mice treated with alcohol for 5 months. The histopathological changes of the livers in the mice of low-dose alcohol group included steatosis and mild liver fibrosis, while severe liver fibrosis was observed in the high-dose alcohol-treated mice. Chronic alcohol consumption induced the increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) level, and the decreases in the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in the livers. It also reduced E-cadherin expression and increased α-SMA expression. FSP-1 immunostaining and albumn immunostaining positive cells were co-localized in the hepatocytes of low-dose alcohol group, but only FSP-1 positive hepatocytes were observed in high-dose alcohol group. Chronic alcohol consumption decreased E-cadherin expression and increased α-SMA, FSP-1, TGF-β 1 and HIF-1α expression in a dose-dependent manner, but the HIF-1α expression was not altered between the 2 alcohol-treated groups. CONCLUSION：Chronic alcohol intake induces the progression of hepatic fibrosis. Some fibroblasts derive from hepatocytes in liver fibrosis via EMT. The underlying mechanism is associated with the changes of the redox state, and increased TGF-β 1 generation and HIF-1α expression.     

Effects of synthetic kainic acid on microfilament expression and gap junction in astrocytes

AIM：To study the effects of synthetic kainic acid (SKA) and 1-heptanol (1-Hep), a gap junction blocker, on the cytoskeletal filament expression in the astrocytes. METHODS：The neonatal rat brain was obtained from the Wistar rats (1 day old) and primary purified astrocytes were obtained by differential attachment for removing filamentoblasts and orbital shaker for removing the oligodendrocytes. The effects of SKA and other interventions on the morphologic changes and expression levels of skeleton protein filamentous actin (F-actin) were observed in the astrocytes after 24 h of the exposures by laser scanning confocal microscopy. The effect of 1-Hep on the expression of F-actin was also explored. RESULTS：Compared with control group, the fluorescence intensities in KCl group and KCl+SKA group were increased, and highly increased in KCl+SKA group. The F-actin filaments in the above 2 groups were more intensive, thickened and concentrated than those in control group, and more obvious in KCl+SKA group. l-Hep significantly decreased the expression of F-actin in KCl group and KCl+SKA group as compared with control group, and parts of the filamentous fracture were seen in the astrocytes in all 1-Hep-treated groups, in which some of the filamentous lines were crosscut. CONCLUSION：Increase in the expression of F-actin in the astrocytes affects the structure and function of the intercellular gap junctions, which may be involved in the mechanism of SKA-induced epilepsy.     

紫色马铃薯新品种桂彩薯1 号的选育

桂彩薯1 号是以日本北海道岛系571 号为母本,以日本北海道岛系568 号为父本经有性杂交系统选育而成。早中熟,生育期（出苗至成熟）85～95 d（天）。块茎长椭圆形,中等大小,紫皮紫肉,表皮光滑,芽眼少而浅,结薯集中,单薯质量100 g 左右,鲜薯产量1 000～1 500 kg· （ 667 m²）^-1,最高可达2 000 kg（ 667 m²）^-1。块茎淀粉含量9.07%,粗蛋白质2.45%,还原糖0.67%,VC 137.0 mg·kg^-1（FW）,花色苷1 786.0 mg·kg^-1（FW）。适宜广西、广东、福建、云南、湖南等地秋冬种植。     

Vasonatrin peptide attenuates injuries of dopaminergic neurons induced by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium

AIM：To investigate the neuroprotective effects of vasonatrin peptide (VNP) on the injury of dopaminergic neurons induced by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+). METHODS：Cultured dopaminergic neurons from the mouse ventral mesencephalon were exposed to MPP+, and the effects of VNP on the neurotoxicity of MPP+ were eva-luated by cell viability analysis and immunofluorescence staining. Various kinds of agonists and antagonists were used to clarify the mechanism underlying the effects of VNP. RESULTS：MPP+ caused injuries in the dopaminergic neurons. VNP significantly increased the viability, axon number and axon length of the dopaminergic neurons. The MPP+-induced depolymerization of β-tubulin Ⅲ was also attenuated by the treatment with VNP. In addition, VNP significantly increased the intracellular levels of cGMP. These effects of VNP were mimicked by 8-Br-cGMP (a cell-permeable analog of cGMP), whereas inhibited by HS-142-1 ［the antagonist of the particulate guanylyl cyclase-coupled natriuretic peptide receptors (NPR)］, or KT-5823 ［a cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) inhibitor］. CONCLUSION：VNP attenuates the neurotoxicity of MPP+ via guanylyl cyclase-coupled NPR/cGMP/PKG pathway, indicating that VNP might be a new effective reagent in the treatment of neural degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson disease.     

Effect of idazoxan on permeability of blood-brain barrier and expression of MMP-9/TIMP-1 in mouse experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

AIM：To study the effect of idazoxan (IDA) on the permeability of blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) in mouse experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE).METHODS：Female C57BL/6 mice (n=36) were randomly divided into control group, EAE group and IDA group, with 12 mice in each group. EAE was induced by myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein 35-55 (MOG35-55). IDA (2 mg/kg, ip, bid) was administered for 15 d after immunization. The neurological defects of the mice were observed daily and scored. The pathological changes were observed under microscope with HE staining and LFB myelin staining. The BBB permeability was detected by Evans blue extravasation. The expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in the brain of EAE mice was determined by Western blotting.RESULTS：Compared with EAE group, the score of neurological defects in IDA group was decreased, the inflammation was relieved, the BBB permeability was reduced, and the expression MMP-9 and the ratio of MMP-9/TIMP-1 were decreased (P<0.05).CONCLUSION：The neuroprotective effect of IDA on mouse EAE might be related to the down-regulation of MMP-9 and the ratio of MMP-9/TIMP-1, thus reducing the degradation of BBB and the permeability of BBB, and ameliorating the pathologic process of EAE.     

Effect of Raptor on invasion ability of glioma cells

AIM：To study the influence of Raptor on the invasion ability of glioma cells. METHODS：The technique of RNA interference was used. U87 cells were transfected with Raptor restricted siRNA plasmid, and the expression level of Raptor in the transfected cells was detected by Western blotting. The invasive ability of the cancer cells in vitro was determined. The phosphorylation level of ARK5 and the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were detected by Western blotting. The expression levels of Raptor in the tumor samples of low-grade gliomas (WTO grade I and grade II) and high-grade gliomas (WTO grade III and grade IV) were also analyzed by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS：Raptor siRNA was transfected into U87 cells and the cells were named siRaptor/U87 cells. The cells transfected with the control plasmid was named Scr/U87 cells. The expression level of Raptor in siRaptor/U87 cells was lower than that in Scr/U87 cells. The results of in vitro invasion assay showed that the number of siRaptor/U87 cells penetrating the Matrivgel matrix membrane was less than that of Scr/U87 cells (P＜0.01). The protein expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9, and phosphorylation of ARK5 protein in the cells in the experimental group were lower than those in control group. The correlation between the expression of Raptor in gliomas and the degree of deterioration was also observed (P＜0.01). CONCLUSION：The expression of Raptor may contribute to the invasion ability of glioma cells by phosphorylation of ARK5 and increase in the levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9.     

厚皮甜瓜新品种敦蜜1 号的选育

敦蜜1 号是以自交系ML29 为母本,以自交系ML20 为父本配制而成的厚皮甜瓜一代杂种。中早熟,露地栽培生育
期87 d（天）左右。果实发育期40 d（天）左右。植株生长势强,叶色深绿。果实椭圆形,果形指数1.4,果皮纯白色带网纹,
果肉浅绿色,肉厚3.4 cm,中心可溶性固形物含量16.4%,耐贮运。单瓜质量1.5 kg 左右,每667 m² 产量2 260 kg 左右。抗
甜瓜蔓枯病、霜霉病、白粉病。适宜于酒泉市及类似区域大田地膜覆盖种植。     

保护地番茄新品种洛番12 号的选育

洛番12 号是以992 为母本,978 为父本杂交育成的适宜保护地栽培的番茄一代杂种。无限生长类型,中早熟,生长势强,普通花叶,叶色绿,第8～9 节着生第１花序,花序间隔2～3 叶,果实圆形,成熟果粉红色,果面光滑,色泽鲜亮,无绿果肩,果脐及梗洼小,果实硬,整齐度好,单果质量200 g 左右,平均货架期为8 d（天）,可溶性固形物含量4.8%。耐寒、耐弱光,不易裂果,耐贮运。早春保护地栽培每667 m2 产量7 000 kg 左右。