植物广谱抗病基因工程策略与研究进展

系统获得性抗性（SAP）是植物防御病原微生物侵染的一条有效途径。利用基因工程技术改造其表达特性可以提高植物的抗病性,从活性氧的代谢,抗病基因的利用、过敏反应的诱导和SAR的组成性表达等方面论述了植物广谱抗病基因工程的研究策略。已取得的成就及今后的研究方向。     

华蟾素注射液联合全身化疗治疗中晚期乳腺癌的临床效果分析

目的:探讨华蟾素注射液联合全身化疗治疗中晚期乳腺癌的临床疗效及安全性。方法:选择我科收治的81例中晚期乳腺癌患者并将其随机分为两组,联合组(40例)采用华蟾素注射液联合全身化疗给予治疗,化疗组(41例)单纯给予化疗治疗。治疗后3个月,评价和比较两组的近期和远期疗效,生活质量的改善情况以及不良反应的发生情况。结果:治疗后3个月,联合组治疗有效率明显高于化疗组(P0.05)。截至目前,联合组平均生存期为15个月,化疗组为10个月,两组差异没有统计学意义(P0.05)。联合组的生活质量提高率明显高于化疗组(P0.05)。骨髓抑制和胃肠道反应为两组主要的不良反应,联合组胃肠道反应的发生率明显低于化疗组(P0.05)。结论:华蟾素联合全身化疗对中晚期乳腺癌具有较好的近期治疗效果,并能改善患者的生活质量,且毒副反应较少。     

Method for accurate diagnose of lupus erythematosus skin lesions based on microbial rDNA sequencing

This study used microbial rDNA sequencing for accurate detection of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) skin lesions. 20 lupus erythematosus dermatology patients and 20 healthy persons were selected as experimental group and control group. Feces and serum of the subjects were sampled in sterile environment. Serum samples were examined for anti dsDNA antibodies. Fecal samples were analyzed by 16 s rDNA high-throughput sequencing, using Illumina MiSeq 2 × 250 sequencing platform. The results suggested that positive rate of anti-dsDNA antibody in serum was significantly higher in the experimental group than the control group. Significant difference of intestinal microbiome was spotted between the two groups in phylum (Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes) and genus level (Lactobacillus, Allobaculum, Lachnospira, Turicibacter, Bifidobacterium). The different intestinal microbiomes existing in healthy people and patients can provide a strong tool for accurate diagnose of lupus erythematosus.     

Hypercalcemia and disseminated histoplasmosis in an owl monkey

An adult male owl monkey (Aotus nancymai) had hypercalcemia associated with a disseminated case of histoplasmosis (Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum). Histopathologic examination of tissues at necropsy showed moderate to marked numbers of small granulomas involving multiple organs. The granulomas contained numerous round, basophilic, intracellular structures, 1-2 microns in diameter, that stained positive in Periodic acid-Schiff and Gomori's methenamine silver tests. The hypercalcemia in this case was attributed to enhance conversion of dietary vitamin D to 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol by the granulomas.     

New insights into CD4+ T cell abnormalities in systemic sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune connective tissue disease that is characterized by vasculopathy and excessive deposition of extracellular matrix, which causes fibrosis of the skin and internal organs and eventually leads to multiorgan dysfunction. Studies have shown that CD4⁺ T cell activation is a key factor in the pathogenesis of scleroderma because activated T cells can release various cytokines, resulting in inflammation, microvascular damage and fibrosis. T helper cell 17 (Th17) and regulatory T (Treg) cell activities are a hallmark SSc, as Th17-type cytokines can induce both inflammation and fibrosis. More recently, several studies have reported new T cell subsets, including Th9 and Th22 cells, along with their respective cytokines in the peripheral blood, serum and skin lesions of individuals with SSc. Herein, we review recent data on various CD4⁺ T helper cell subsets in SSc, and discuss potential roles of these cells in promoting inflammation and fibrosis.     

Systemic lupus erythematosus onset in lupus-prone B6.MRL/lpr mice Is influenced by weight gain and Is preceded by an increase in neutrophil oxidative burst activity

In this study, we assessed whether weight gain influenced the systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) onset and/or outcome, and examined the role that reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by neutrophils played in the SLE onset and/or outcome. Female control (C57BL/6) and lupus-prone B6.MRL/lpr mice (CM and LPM, respectively) at 4 weeks old were fed standard diet or standard diet plus cafeteria diet during 12 weeks. SLE diagnosis relied on the presence of both antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and renal abnormalities. We found that the percentage of weight gain in CM and LPM increased as a function of the length of cafeteria diet feeding period, but it was not associated with energy intake. Cafeteria diet-fed CM and LPM at 8 and 12 weeks old were overweight, while CM and LPM at 16 weeks old were obese. Compared with standard diet-fed CM and LPM, cafeteria diet-fed CM and LPM exhibited elevated glucose and total cholesterol levels, and diminished triglycerides levels. Standard diet-fed 16-week-old LPM and cafeteria diet-fed 12-week-old LPM had nephritis, characterized by the increased interstitial infiltration of leukocytes. Cafeteria diet-induced weight gain rose the frequency of homogeneous and speckled ANA staining patterns in the 12- and 16-week-old LPM groups. Together, these results indicated that weight gain anticipated the SLE onset. In addition, neutrophils from cafeteria diet-fed 8-week-old LPM exhibited augmented ROS production capacity; in standard diet-fed LPM, such rise occurred only in the 16-week-old group. Thus, the neutrophil ROS production capacity was increased before the SLE onset and during its outcome. Overweight and obese CM and LPM displayed elevated levels of kidney, liver, heart, and spleen lipid peroxidation. In conclusion, cafeteria diet-induced weight gain is associated with the increased production of ANA and neutrophil-derived ROS, which may contribute to accelerate the SLE onset.     

Biomarkers in critically ill patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome or sepsis supplemented with high-dose selenium

ObjectiveLow levels of selenium (Se) and glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), a key selenoenzyme, were documented in systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and sepsis, both associated with high mortality. Se supplementation had mixed effects on outcome. We hypothesized that Se supplementation could have a different impact on biomarkers and 28-day mortality in patients with SIRS vs. sepsis.MethodsAdult patients with SIRS or sepsis were randomized to either high-dose (Se+, n = 75) or standard-dose (Se−, n = 75) Se supplementation. Plasma Se, whole blood GSHPx activity, C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), prealbumin, albumin and cholesterol levels were measured serially up to day 14.ResultsThere was no difference in mortality between Se− (24/75) vs. Se+ group (19/75; p = 0.367) or between SIRS and septic patients (8/26 vs. 35/124; p = 0.794). There was a trend to reduced mortality in SIRS patients in the Se+ vs. Se− group (p = 0.084). Plasma Se levels increased in the Se+ group only in patients with sepsis but not in patients with SIRS. Plasma Se levels correlated with GSHPx. In SIRS/Se+ group, Se correlated only with GSHPx. In SIRS/Se− group, Se correlated with cholesterol but not with other biomarkers. In sepsis patients, Se levels correlated with cholesterol, GSHPx and prealbumin. Cholesterol levels were higher in survivors in the Se− group.ConclusionsSe levels correlated with GSHPx activity and other nutritional biomarkers with significant differences between SIRS and sepsis groups. High-dose Se supplementation did not affect mortality but a strong trend to decreased mortality in SIRS patients warrants further studies in this population.     

Reciprocal indirect interactions between Tetranychus urticae and Aphis gossypii mediated by cucumber plant

Induced plant responses to herbivory can alter plant quality and influence subsequent interactions with organisms that use that plant as food source. In this study, we conducted several experiments in order to understand whether preference and performance of the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii (Hem: Aphididae) and the spider mite, Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) are affected by the previous herbivory of conspecific or heterospecific species on cucumber plants. Longevity, fecundity and pre-imaginal development time were measured as performance criteria. In addition, we explored whether these effects are local or systemic. In the case of performance experiments, the results varied from negative to neutral depending on the performance criteria, no positive effect was observed in studied interactions. Also, depending on performance criteria, the previous herbivory affected the plant systemically, or locally. Results of preference experiments indicated that mites and aphids prefer to settle and produce offspring on control leaf disc to prevent detrimental effects of the previous herbivory. Spider mites showed a stronger preference than aphids in the detection of induced leaf discs, which resulted in more mites being present and laying more egg on control leaf disc in both local and systemic treatments. Performing both preference and performance experiments, not only reveals the effect of herbivores on each other's mediated by the plant but also reveals more information about the sensitivity of herbivores to change in the quality of their host.     

糖皮质激素联合吗替麦考酚酯分散片对系统性红斑狼疮患者的疗效及对免疫功能的影响

目的:研究糖皮质激素联合吗替麦考酚酯分散片治疗系统性红斑狼疮患者的临床疗效及对免疫功能的影响。方法:选取2014年9月至2015年8月本院收治的84例系统性红斑狼疮患者,根据投硬币法分为观察组和对照组,42例每组。对照组使用单纯的糖皮质激素,观察组在此基础上使用吗替麦考酚酯分散片。比较两组患者临床疗效,治疗前后免疫球蛋白A(IgA)、免疫球蛋白(IgG)、免疫球蛋白(IgM)、C反应蛋白(CRP)、血沉(ESR)的变化及不良反应的发生情况。结果:治疗后,观察组临床总有效率显著高于对照组(P0.05)。治疗前,两组患免疫球蛋白A(IgA)、免疫球蛋白(IgG)、免疫球蛋白(IgM)、C反应蛋白(CRP)、血沉(ESR)水平比较差异均无统计学意义(P0.05);治疗后,两组患者IgA、IgG、IgM、CRP、ESR水平均较治疗前显著降低(P0.05),与对照相比,观察组的IgA、IgG、IgM、CRP、ESR明显降低(P0.05)。两组组的不良反应率比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:糖皮质激素联合吗替麦考酚酯分散片能有效改善系统性红斑狼疮患者的免疫功能,临床疗效良好,安全性高。