Cloning the sterol carrier protein 2 genes of Japanese toad (Bufo japonicus formosus) and Chinese toad (Bufo gargarizans) and its tissue expression analysis

In this study, to clarify the bioactive polypeptides included in the skins and secretions of Bufo, we screened the Japanese toad (Bufo japonicus formosus) skin cDNA liary by colony polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and obtained a transcript of 1 075 bp consisting of 1 37 bp 5' untranslated region (UTR), 515 bp 3' UTR and a 423 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a polypeptide of 140 amino acid residues (GenBank accession number: KF359945). Homolog analysis showed a 70%-96% homology with sterol carrier protein-2 (SCP-2) present in other animals, which is implicated in lipid metabolism of other organisms. The gene SCP-2 of Chinese toad (B. gargarizans) was cloned from a first strand cDNA of Bufo skin (GenBank accession number: KF381341) via PCR, whose encoding polypeptide has only one amino acid difference from that of Japanese toad. Tissue distribution analysis showed that SCP-2 expressed in all organs tested, though in the liver and spleen it manifested lower expression than in other organs. These findings might indicate SCP-2 being one of the active ingredients in toad skin. These findings may in turn have implications for further drug development from traditional Chinese medicine sources.

DNA barcoding of five common stored-product pest species of genus Cryptolestes (Coleoptera: Laemophloeidae)

Several species of the genus Cryptolestes Ganglbauer, 1899 (Coleoptera: Laemophloeidae) are commonly found in stored products. In this study, five species of Cryptolestes, with almost worldwide distribution, were obtained from laboratories in China, Czech Republic and the USA: Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens, 1831), Cryptolestes pusillus (Schönherr, 1817), Cryptolestes turcicus (Grouvelle, 1876), Cryptolestes pusilloides (Steel & Howe, 1952) and Cryptolestes capensis (Waltl, 1834). Molecular identification based on a 658 bp fragment from the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) was adopted to overcome some problems of morphological identification of Cryptolestes species. The utility of COI sequences as DNA barcodes in discriminating the five Cryptolestes species was evaluated on adults and larvae by analysing Kimura 2-parameter distances, phylogenetic tree and haplotype networks. The results showed that molecular approaches based on DNA barcodes were able to accurately identify these species. This is the first study using DNA barcoding to identify Cryptolestes species and the gathered DNA sequences will complement the biological barcode database.

Comparative study between Ephedra sinica Stapf and Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis on ET-1 and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α in rats with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in the effects of Ephedra sinica Stapf and Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis on angiogenesis in the treatment of bleomycin-induced rat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The rat models were created using bleomycin. The animals were divided into six groups: model, control, Ephedra alone, Schisandrae alone, combination of Ephedra and Schisandrae, and hydrocortisone alone. The treatments were administered for 28 days. After 7 and 28 days, the rats were sacrificed for pathological morphology examination, microvascular density determination, and angiogenesis-related cytokine examination. The Ephedra and hydrocortisone groups demonstrated significantly reduced alveolitis and pulmonary fibrosis grades compared with the model group (P < 0.05). The number of blood vessels in the Ephedra group was higher than that in the Schisandrae and combination therapy groups. At 7 days, the expression level of endothelin (ET)-1 in the model group was significantly higher than that in the normal group (P < 0.01). The level of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α (6-keto-PGF1α) in the treatment group increased, and there were significant differences between the Ephedra group and the combination therapy and normal groups (P < 0.05). Ephedra inhibited the increase in the lung coefficient. The combination therapy prevented pulmonary artery injury and angiogenesis of the arteries by reducing the level of ET-1 and promoting the level of 6-keto-PGF1α in the blood. Ephedra and Schisandrae prevented alveolitis and the development of pulmonary fibrosis.

Separation properties of aluminium-plastic laminates in post-consumer Tetra Pak with mixed organic solvent

The separation properties of the aluminium-plastic laminates in postconsumer Tetra Pak structure were studied in this present work. The organic solvent blend of benzene-ethyl alcohol-water was used as the separation reagent. Then triangle coordinate figure analysis was taken to optimize the volume proportion of various components in the separating agent and separation process. And the separation temperature of aluminium-plastic laminates was determined by the separation time, efficiency, and total mass loss of products. The results show that cost-efficient separations perform best with low usage of solvents at certain temperatures, for certain times, and within a certain range of volume proportions of the three components in the solvent agent. It is also found that similar solubility parameters of solvents and polyethylene adhesives (range 26.06-34.85) are a key factor for the separation of the aluminium-plastic laminates. Such multisolvent processes based on the combined-system concept will be vital to applications in the recycling industry.

Two-center interferences in dielectronic transitions in H2(+) + He collisions

Molecular two-center interferences in a collision induced excitation of H2(+) projectile ions, with simultaneous ionization of helium target atoms, are investigated in a kinematically complete experiment. In the process under investigation, the helium atom is singly ionized and simultaneously the molecular hydrogen ion is dissociated. Different collision mechanisms are identified and interference fringes emerging from a correlated first-order mechanism and from an independent second-order process are observed.

Syntheses, structures and luminescent properties of six divalent metal terephthalate coordination polymers based on three new flexible bis(imidazole) ligands

Six coordination polymers based on terephthalate and one of three bis(imidazole) ligands are reported.

[Bufo gargarizans mcl-1 cloning and its prokaryotic recombinant protein expression]

MCL-1 is encoded by myeloid cell leukemia-1 gene (mcl-1), which is one of the anti-apoptotic members of bcl-2 cell apoptotic gene superfamily. ChanSu is made of dorsal secretions of several Bufo species, commonly used in the prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine for treating many diseases including cancer. To clarify if mcl-1 is expressed in the dorsal skin of B. gargarizans, the PCR (polymerase chain reaction) was performed with its dorsal skin first strand cDNA as the template and a pair of specific primers of mcl-1, and PCR products were cloned into the pGM-T vector. DNA sequencing indicated that the ORF length was 639 bp encoding 212 amino acid residues, and the homology of 44%-95% with the MCL-1 of several other animals. For the further studies on MCL-1 biological functions during the oncogenesis and preparation of its antibody, the prokaryotic expression construct of pET-28b-mcl-1 was prepared which was confirmed by DNA sequencing, and its recombinant protein expression (0.02% wet weight) in E. coli BL21 (DE3) strain was confirmed by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting.

[Distribution of matrix-bound phosphine in surface sediments of Jinpu Bay]

This work investigated the distribution of matrix-bound phosphine in surface sediments of Jinpu Bay and associated environmental factors in summer, using the gas chromatography combined with a pulsed flame detector (GC-PFPD). It showed that phosphine ubiquitously presented in the sediments of Jinpu Bay. Contents of matrix-bound phosphine varied between 62. 58 and 190. 81 ng.kg-1, with the average value of 114.42 ng.kg-1. In addition, the spatial distribution of matrix-bound phosphine indicated that matrix-bound phosphine in inshore sediments had relatively higher contents than those in offshore sediments. Statistical analysis showed that matrix-bound phosphine significantly related to organic phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase activity ( R = 0. 882, P = 0. 01; R = 0. 819, P =0. 023). However, there were no correlations between matrix-bound phosphine and organic nitrogen, inorganic phosphorus and sediment grain sizes. These results implied that accumulation and distribution of matrix-bound phosphined were mainly affected by the decomposition of organic phosphorus by microorganisms.

[Cloning and bioinformatic analysis of TAGLN2 cDNA of Bufo japonicus formosus]

To study the bioactive polypeptides included in Bufo skin and its secretions the plasmid skin cDNA library of adult Japanese toad Bufo japonicus formosus was prepared. The pSD64TR has been used as the vector and the cloning sites are Xho I and EcoR I. To screen cDNAs encoding bioactive components, the plasmid cDNA library was transformed into E. coli DH5 competent cells, and positive colonies were screened by colony PCR (polymerase chain reaction). The suspension of a single colony in LB medium was used as the template, SP6 (the upstream primer of the plasmid cDNA library) and a primer with Xho I site and polyT were used as the primers. As the result, 465 positive colonies out of 1 344 were obtained and their plasmid were collected and sequenced. By homologous analysis, it was found that one of the cDNAs encoding a peptide with high homolog with transgelin-2, which was registered in GenBank (accession number: JX197456), and it was indicated as a partial cDNA sequence with a deletion at the 5' end. The transcript is 997 bp consisting of 31 bp 5', 618 bp 3' untranslated region (UTR) and an open reading frame (ORF) of 348 bp encoding a polypeptide of 115 amino acids. In the putative protein product, there is a calponin homology domain, two cysteine residues for a disulfide bond and three a-helix domains, and five potential phosphorylation sites. The homologous analysis indicates 90% similarity with Xenopus (Silurana) tropicalis and 89% with Xenopus laevis, and 71%-85% with other species.

Social behaviour risk factors for drug resistant tuberculosis in mainland China: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To determine risk factors associated with drug resistant tuberculosis (TB) in mainland China.

METHODS

PubMed and Chinese BioMedical databases were searched. Cohort, case-control and cross-sectional studies providing effect estimates of risk factors for any-drug resistant or multidrug resistant (MDR) TB were included.

RESULTS

The meta-analysis included 16 studies. Any-drug resistant TB was significantly associated with poor quality directly observed treatment, shortcourse (DOTS) (odds ratio [OR] 2.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.22, 5.79), long term illness > 1 year (OR 2.71, 95% CI 1.34, 5.48), poor treatment adherence (OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.17, 3.40), previous treatment (OR 4.54, 95% CI 2.71, 7.61) and age 40 - 60 years (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.10, 2.38). MDR-TB was significantly associated with poor quality DOTS (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.36, 2.49), poor treatment adherence (OR 4.39, 95% CI 2.97, 6.50), previous treatment (OR 3.83, 95% CI 2.12, 6.89) and poverty (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.38, 2.52).

CONCLUSIONS

Previous treatment, poor quality DOTS, poor treatment adherence, long term illness, age 40 - 60 years and poverty are associated with a greater risk of drug resistant TB in mainland China.

In situ Raman scattering study on a controllable plasmon-driven surface catalysis reaction on Ag nanoparticle arrays

Control of the plasmon-driven chemical reaction for the transformation of 4-nitrobenzenethiol to p,p'-dimercaptoazobenzene by Ag nanoparticle arrays was studied. The Ag nanoparticle arrays were fabricated by means of nanosphere lithography. By changing the PS particle size, the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) peaks of the Ag nanoparticle arrays can be tailored from 460 to 560 nm. The controlled reaction process was monitored by in situ surface-enhanced Raman scattering. The reaction can be dramatically influenced by varying the duration of laser exposure, Ag nanoparticle size, laser power and laser excitation wavelength. The maximum reaction speed was achieved when the LSPR wavelength of the Ag nanoparticle arrays matched the laser excitation wavelength. The experimental results reveal that the strong LSPR can effectively drive the transfer of the 'hot' electrons that decay from the plasmon to the reactants. The experimental results were confirmed by theoretical calculations.

Whole-exome sequencing identifies mutated PCK2 and HUWE1 associated with carcinoma cell proliferation in a hepatocellular carcinoma patient

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is diagnosed in more than half a million individuals worldwide every year. It is often invasive and metastatic, resulting in a poor prognosis. Our knowledge of the genomic alterations implicated in HCC initiation and progression is fragmentary, and few molecular alterations unique to HCC are known. We performed whole-exome sequencing for a pleomorphic cell-type HCC tissue and matched normal tissue, and uncovered seven non-synonymous somatic variants in SPATA21, PPCS, CDH12, OR1L3, PCK2, HUWE1 and PHF16. These variants were validated by PCR and sequencing, with the exception of that in PPCS. We further performed a bioinformatics analysis of the six validated variants. The results suggested that the function of the proteins of the three mutated genes, PCK2, HUWE1 and PHF16, may be changed significantly. Among these genes, PCK2, within the insulin signaling pathway, and HUWE1, within the ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis pathway, may be essential for cell proliferation. These pathways are known to be important for hepatocarcinogenesis. Hence, we suggest that PCK2 and HUWE1 are associated with carcinoma cell proliferation in HCC.

Daidzein improves insulin resistance in ovariectomized rats

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether daidzein improves insulin resistance by modifying weight gain, visceral fat accumulation, blood lipids and serum cytokines levels in ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-eight 12-week-old female rats were divided into three groups: the sham-operated group (SHAM) (n =10), the ovariectomized group receiving daidzein therapy (DAID) (n =10), and the ovariectomized control group (Control) (n =8). The rats in the DAID group received 50 mg/kg daidzein via gavage daily. Weight and food intake were recorded every 2 weeks. All of the animals were euthanized 12 weeks after ovariectomy, after which their fasting insulin, glucose, blood lipids, estradiol, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), adiponectin and leptin levels were measured.

RESULTS

After 12 weeks, the ovariectomized rats demonstrated an increase in their body weight and visceral fat; compared to the SHAM rats, the ovariectomized rats also experienced a significant increase in their serum IL-6 levels and insulin resistance, which was calculated using the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (p <0.05). Daidzein therapy decreased weight gain, visceral fat, the HOMA-IR index and IL-6 levels that were induced by ovariectomy. Rats which had received daidzein therapy had lower levels of TNF-α, leptin and blood lipids (except for high density lipoprotein cholesterol) than the other two groups. IL-6 levels positively correlated with the HOMA-IR index in all of the rats after adjustment for body weight (r =0.495; p =0.016).

CONCLUSION

We conclude that daidzein can improve insulin resistance induced by ovariectomy by decreasing weight gain, visceral fat accumulation, blood lipids, TNF-α, leptin and IL-6 levels.

Impaired brain creatine kinase activity in Huntington's disease

BACKGROUND

Huntington's disease (HD) is associated with impaired energy metabolism in the brain. Creatine kinase (CK) catalyzes ATP-dependent phosphorylation of creatine (Cr) into phosphocreatine (PCr), thereby serving as readily available high-capacity spatial and temporal ATP buffering.

OBJECTIVE

Substantial evidence supports a specific role of the Cr/PCr system in neurodegenerative diseases. In the brain, the Cr/PCr ATP-buffering system is established by a concerted operation of the brain-specific cytosolic enzyme BB-CK and ubiquitous mitochondrial uMt-CK. It is not yet established whether the activity of these CK isoenzymes is impaired in HD.

METHODS

We measured PCr, Cr, ATP and ADP in brain extracts of 3 mouse models of HD - R6/2 mice, N171-82Q and HdhQ(111) mice - and the activity of CK in cytosolic and mitochondrial brain fractions from the same mice.

RESULTS

The PCr was significantly increased in mouse HD brain extracts as compared to nontransgenic littermates. We also found an approximately 27% decrease in CK activity in both cytosolic and mitochondrial fractions of R6/2 and N171-82Q mice, and an approximately 25% decrease in the mitochondria from HdhQ(111) mice. Moreover, uMt-CK and BB-CK activities were approximately 63% lower in HD human brain samples as compared to nondiseased controls.

CONCLUSION

Our findings lend strong support to the role of impaired energy metabolism in HD, and point out the potential importance of impairment of the CK-catalyzed ATP-buffering system in the etiology of HD.

Synthesis and Magnetic Properties of Maghemite (gamma-Fe(2)O(3)) Short-Nanotubes

We report a rational synthesis of maghemite (gamma-Fe(2)O(3)) short-nanotubes (SNTs) by a convenient hydrothermal method and subsequent annealing process. The structure, shape, and magnetic properties of the SNTs were investigated. Room-temperature and low-temperature magnetic measurements show that the as-fabricated gamma-Fe(2)O(3) SNTs are ferromagnetic, and its coercivity is nonzero when the temperature above blocking temperature (T(B)). The hysteresis loop was operated to show that the magnetic properties of gamma-Fe(2)O(3) SNTs are strongly influenced by the morphology of the crystal. The unique magnetic behaviors were interpreted by the competition of the demagnetization energy of quasi-one-dimensional nanostructures and the magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy of particles in SNTs.

Expression of semaphorin 5A and its receptor plexin B3 contributes to invasion and metastasis of gastric carcinoma

AIM: To investigate the protein and mRNA expression of semaphorin 5A and its receptor plexin B3 in gastric carcinoma and explore its role in the invasion and metastasis of gastric carcinoma.

METHODS: Expression of semaphorin 5A and its receptor plexin B3 in 48 samples of primary gastric carcinoma, its corresponding non-neoplastic mucosa, and matched regional lymph node metastasis was assayed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting.

RESULTS: The protein and mRNA expression of semaphorin 5A and its receptor plexin B3 increased gradually in non-neoplastic mucosa, primary gastric carcinoma and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). Moreover, the expression of semaphorin 5A was closely correlated with that of plexin B3.

CONCLUSION: Semaphorin 5A and its receptor plexin B3 play an important role in the invasion and metastasis of gastric carcinoma.

Inferior rabies vaccine quality and low immunization coverage in dogs ( Canis familiaris) in China

Human rabies in China continues to increase exponentially, largely due to an inadequate veterinary infrastructure and poor vaccine coverage of naive dogs. We performed an epidemiological survey of rabies both in humans and animals, examined vaccine quality for animal use, evaluated the vaccination coverage in dogs, and checked the dog samples for the presence of rabies virus. The lack of surveillance in dog rabies, together with the low immunization coverage (up to 2.8% in rural areas) and the high percentage of rabies virus prevalence (up to 6.4%) in dogs, suggests that the dog population is a continual threat for rabies transmission from dogs to humans in China. Results also indicated that the quality of rabies vaccines for animal use did not satisfy all of the requirements for an efficacious vaccine capable of fully eliminating rabies. These data suggest that the factors noted above are highly correlated with the high incidence of human rabies in China.

Mammary gland expression of antibacterial peptide genes to inhibit bacterial pathogens causing mastitis

As a step toward prevention of bovine mastitis, a plasmid-mediated gene transfer technique was used to enable mammary cells to synthesize and secrete bovine lactoferricin and bovine tracheal antibacterial peptides. For this purpose, a series of mammary tissue-specific expression vectors, harboring the antibacterial peptide gene, the 5'-flanking regulation sequence of goat beta-casein, and the bovine growth hormone polyadenylation signal sequence, were constructed using a eukaryotic expression vector pIRES1-neo. The mammary gland tissue-specific expression vector carrying the antimicrobial peptide genes dissolved in physiologic saline was injected directly into the lactating mammary glands of goats. The milk samples after injection were checked by Tricine-SDS-PAGE and bacterium inhibition zone assay. The results of these tests showed that the mammary gland tissue-specific expression vector driven by the goat beta-casein gene promoter could efficiently direct the expression of antibacterial peptides in goat milk; the expression of antibacterial proteins lasted for 3 to 6 d. All of the milk samples collected from the mammary glands that had been injected with different vectors harboring the antibacterial peptide gene(s) exhibited bacteriostatic activity against different bacterial pathogens. These results demonstrated that the mammary gland tissue-specific expression vector could be used to introduce antibacterial peptide gene into the goat mammary gland, enabling secretion of a bioactive form of antibacterial peptide in the milk. This successful expression of antibacterial peptides in goat mammary glands provided a possible method to prevent mastitis in ruminants.

[Determination of polyphenols in tea by a new method spectrophotometry]

The authors developed a method for the determination of tea polyphenols. Phenanthroline is a sensitive regent for the determination of Fe2+, it can react with Fe2+ to form an orange complex in acidic solution. A new spectrophotometric method was proposed for the determination of tea polyphenols in tea samples based on that tea polyphenols could react with Fe3+ to produce Fe2+, and the orange complex would be formed by the reaction of Fe2+ with Phenanthroline in acidic solution. In the presence of positive iron surfactant CTMAB, the sensitivity of chromogenic reaction was improved. The work focused on the optimizing of experiment conditions such as wavelength of determination, buffer solution, surfactant, and the react time etc. At the maximum absorption wavelength of 510 nm, the apparent molar absorptivity was 0.88 x 10(5) L x mol(-1) x cm(-1), Beer's law was obeyed in the range of 4.00 to 32.00 microg x mL(-1) Polyphenols. The detection limit was 2.0 microg x mL(-1). This method was applied to the determination of polyphenols in tea samples with satisfactory results. The method has three merits, namely high level of accuracy and sensitivity, simplicity, and simple equipment.

Experimental immunization of cats with a recombinant rabies-canine adenovirus vaccine elicits a long-lasting neutralizing antibody response against rabies

During the past decade, human rabies caused by cats has ranked the second highest in China. Several recombinant rabies vaccines have been developed for dogs. However, seldom have these vaccines been assessed or used in cats. In this trial, we report the experimental immunization of a recombinant canine adenovirus-rabies vaccine, CAV-2-E3Delta-RGP, in cats. Thirty cats were inoculated with the recombinant vaccine intramuscularly, orally and intranasally, respectively. Safety and efficacy studies were undertaken using the fluorescent antibody virus neutralization (FAVN) test and evaluated. Results showed that this recombinant vaccine is safe for cats as demonstrated by the three different routes of administration. The vaccine stimulated an efficient humoral response in the vaccinated cats when 10(8.5)PFU/ml of the recombinant vaccine was injected intramuscularly in a single dose. The neutralizing antibody level increased above 0.5IU/ml at 4 weeks after the vaccination. The mean antibody level ranged from 0.96+/-0.26 to 4.47+/-1.57IU/ml among individuals, and the antibody levels were elicited for at least 12 months. After this period, the immunized cats survived the challenge of CVS-24 and an obvious anemnestic and protective immune response was stimulated after the challenge. The immune response occurred later than the inactivated vaccine and the overall antibody level in the vaccinated cats was lower, but it was sufficient to confer protection of cats against infection. This demonstrated that a single, intramuscular dose of CAV-2-E3Delta-RGP stimulated a long-lasting protective immune response in cats and suggested that CAV-2-E3Delta-RGP could be considered as a potential rabies vaccine candidate for cats.

Efficient conversion of wheat straw wastes into biohydrogen gas by cow dung compost

Efficient conversion of wheat straw wastes into biohydrogen gas by cow dung compost was reported for the first time. Batch tests were carried out to analyze influences of several environmental factors on biohydrogen production from wheat straw wastes. The performance of biohydrogen production using the raw wheat straw and HCl pretreated wheat straw was then compared in batch fermentation tests. The maximum cumulative hydrogen yield of 68.1 ml H2/g TVS was observed at 126.5 h, the value is about 136-fold as compared with that of raw wheat straw wastes. The maximum hydrogen production rate of 10.14 ml H2/g TVS h was obtained by a modified Gompertz equation. The hydrogen content in the biogas was 52.0% and there was no significant methane observed in this study. In addition, biodegradation characteristics of the substrate were also discussed. The experimental results showed that the pretreatment of the substrate plays a key role in the conversion of the wheat straw wastes into biohydrogen by the composts generating hydrogen.