Microbial Community Composition and Function in Sediments from the Pearl River Mouth Basin

This study was conducted to characterize the diversity and function of microbial communities in marine sediments of the Pearl River Mouth Basin(PRMB)in the South China Sea.The results showed that the bacterial and archaeal communities varied greatly with depth.Proteobacteria in bacterial communities and Nitrososphaeria and Woesearchaeota in archaeal communities were dominant in the shallow sediments(1-40 cm),while Chloroflexi in bacterial communities and Bathyarchaeia in archaeal communities were dominant in the deep sediments(50-200 cm).Regarding ecological functions based on the metatranscriptomic data,genes involved in various pathways of nitrogen metabolism and sulfur metabolism were observed in the tested sediment samples.Metagenomic analysis revealed that Proteobacteria contribute the most to nearly all genes involved in nitrogen and sulfur metabolism.Moreover,Thaumarchaeota contribute the most to certain genes involved in nitrification,denitrification and assimilatory sulfate reduction pathways.The most abundant bacterial genus,Candidatus Scalindua,is crucial for nitrification,dissimilatory nitrate reduction,denitrification and assimilatory sulfate reduction pathways.

Effects of Aluminum Trichloride on Structure and Function of Kidney in Chickens

To investigate the effects of aluminum trichloride(AlCl3) on renal structure and function in chickens,the chickens were injected continuously with different gradient AlCl3 for 60 days to establish sub-chronic aluminum(Al) intoxication model.The Al concentration in serum and kidney,contents of creatinine(Cr) and blood urea nitrogen(BUN) in serum were detected,and the renal structure was also observed by optical microscope.The results showed that the Al concentration in serum and kidney,the contents of Cr and BUN in serum were significantly higher in Al-treated chickens than those in the control group(P<0.05;P<0.01) and there was an AlCl3 dose-depended manner.Histopathologically,in the low dose group,acinus renis swelled mildly and there were no apparent pathological changes in nephric tubule and proximal convoluted tubule.In the middle and high dose group,acinus renis swelled,glomerular cells increased,nephric tubule cloudy swelled,and epithelial cells of proximal convoluted tubule swelled.The results indicated that sub-chronic Al exposure impaired the renal structure and function in chickens.

Effect of ultraviolet blood irradiation and oxygenation on nerve function and function of the red blood cell membrane pump in patients with acute cerebral infarction

BACKGROUND: Ultraviolet blood irradiation and oxygenation (UBIO) has obtained better clinical effect in treating acute cerebral infarction, but the mechanism underlying this effect remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of UBIO on the nerve function and activities of K+-Na+-ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase activities on the red blood cell (RBC) membrane of patients with acute cerebral infarction. DESIGN: A randomized and controlled study. SETTING: Department of Neurology, Xiangfan Central Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: From January 2000 to December 2001, excluding those above 70 years old, 58 cases of 700 patients with acute cerebral infarction admitted in the Department of Neurology, Xiangfan Central Hospital, were recruited and divided into two groups according to the random number table: UBIO treated group (n=28), including 17 males and 11 females, aged 40-68 years; and control group (n=30), including 20 males and 10 females, aged 44-69 years. All the patients agreed to participate in the therapeutic program and detected items. The general informations were comparable without obvious differences between the two groups (P > 0.05). METHODS: ① The patients in both groups received routine treatments, besides, those in the UBIO treated group were given UBIO treatment by using the XL-200 type therapeutic apparatus produced in Shijiazhuang, whose ultraviolet wave was set at 253.7 nm with the energy density of 0.568 J/m2 per second, UBIO treatment started from the second day after admission, once every other day, with a single course consisting of 5-7 treatments. ② In the UBIO treated group, the venous blood was sampled before and after the first, third and the completion of the treatment course respectively, the venous blood was taken at each corresponding time point in the control group. After centrifugation of the blood at 10 000 rounds per minute, the RBC membrane was separated and then the activities of K+-Na+-ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase were detected by means of phosphorus determination. ③ The nerve function was scored before and after treatment in both groups with European stroke scale, which included 13 items, the total score was 0-100 points, the higher the score, the better the nerve function. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Score of European stroke scale before and after treatment in both groups. ② Comparison of the activities of K+-Na+-ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase on RBC membrane between the two groups before treatment and after the first, third and the completion of the treatment. RESULTS: All the 58 patients with cerebral infarction were involved in the analysis of results. ① The score of European stroke scale had no obvious difference between the two groups [(49.31±11.48), (50.58±12.63), P > 0.05], and it was obviously higher in the UBIO treated group than in the control group after treatment [84.66±13.75), (77.05±11.17), P < 0.05]. ② The activity of K+-Na+-ATPase on RBC membrane in the UBIO treated group was significantly increased after the first and third treatment as compared with before treatment [(31.56±19.25), (27.64±15.83), (17.67±13.83), P < 0.01], it was still higher after the completion of the treatment than before treatment without obvious difference [(20.86±14.53), P > 0.05]. After the first and third treatment, it was obviously higher in the UBIO treated group than in the control group [19.31±11.88), (17.44±10.42), P < 0.01]. ③ In the UBIO treated group, Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase activity on RBC membrane significantly increased after the first treatment and remained higher than the pre-treatment level throughout the treatment [(27.49±14.72), (17.41±4.82), P < 0.01]. The activity of Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase on RBC membrane was markedly higher in the UBIO treated group than in the control group after after the first, third and the completion of treatment respectively [(24.83±12.88), (17.70±5.69); (28.08±13.44), (16.32±5.29); (17.42±6.04), P < 0.05-0.01]. CONCLUSION: The effect of UBIO treatment against acute cerebral infarction may be mediated by the increased K+-Na+ ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase activities on RBC membrane, which enhances the RBC transformation ability so as to lower RBC aggregation and correct high blood viscosity.

The Role and Function of British NGOs in International Cultural Exchanges

As the world’s first country to launch industrial revolution,the UK had once been at the peak of global power for a long term and exerted great inf luence on the shaping of modern

Application of resistant starch in swine and poultry diets with particular reference to gut health and function

The immediate post-weaning period poses a major challenge on the survival of piglets. Similarly, newly hatched chicks face life threatening challenges due to enteric infections. In the past several years, in-feed antibiotics have been used to reduce these production problems and improve growth. However, in-feed antibiotics have been banned in many jurisdictions and therefore the most effective alternatives to infeed antibiotics must be developed. To date, several studies have been conducted to develop alternatives to antibiotics. One of the potential candidates as alternatives to in-feed antibiotics is resistant starch(RS). Resistance starch is a type of starch that resists enzymatic digestion in the upper parts of the gastrointestinal tract and therefore passes to hindgut where it can be fermented by resident microorganisms. Microbial fermentation of RS in the hindgut results in the production of short chain fatty acids(SCFA). Production of SCFA in turn results in growth and proliferation of colonic and cecal cells, increased expression of genes involved in gut development, and creation of an acidic environment. The acidic environment suppresses the growth of pathogenic microorganisms while selectively promoting the growth of beneficial microbes. Thus, RS has the potential to improve gut health and function by modifying and stabilising gut microbial community and by improving the immunological status of the host. In this review, we discussed the roles of RS in modifying and stabilising gut microbiota, gut health and function, carcass quality, and energy metabolism and growth performance in pigs and poultry.

Both structure and function of human monoclonal antibodies contribute to enhancement of Zika virus infectivity in vitro

Dear Editor,Antibody-dependent enhancement(ADE)has long been recognized for dengue virus(DENV)in vitro and in vivo.It is now clear that antibodies to DENV can also enhance Zika virus(ZIKV)infection in vitro,and vice versa(Dejnirattisai et al.,2016;Stettler et al.,2016).The characteristics of enhancing antibodies,however,remain elusive.Some have suggested that non-neutralizing antibodies or antibodies recognizing specific antigenic sites are

Impacts of methamidophos, copper, and their combinations on bacterial community structure and function in black soil

The potential ecotoxicologial risks of methamidophos, copper, and their combinations on microbial community of black soil ecosystem in the Northeast China were assessed in species richness and structures by using 16S rDNA-PCR-DGGE analysis approach, and functional characteristics at community levels by using BIOLOGGN system analysis method as well as two conventional methods(DHA and SIR). All results of DGGE banding fingerprint patterns(amplified by bacterial specific 16S rDNA V3 high variable region universal primer) indicated that the species richness of bacterial community in tested soil was significantly decreased to different extents by using different concentrations of single methamidophos, copper, especially some of their combinations had worse effects than their corresponding single factors. In addition,the structures of soil bacterial community had been disturbed under all stresses applied in this study because of the enrichment of some species and the disappearance of other species from the bacterial community. The effects of the single factors with lower concentrations on the communiy structure were weaker than those with higher concentrations. Moreover, the bacterial community structures under the combined stresses of methamidophos and copper were significantly different from those of control and their corresponding single factors. The change of DHA and carbon source substrate utilizing fingerprint patterns based on BIOLOGGNsystem were two relatively sensitive directors corresponding to the stress presented in this study. Between methamodophos and copper, there happened the significant joint-toxic actions when they were used in combination on DHA and carbon source substrate utilizing fingerprint patterns of soil bacterial communities. The DHA of soil under the combined stresses was lower than that of the control and that under the single factors, and the BIOLOGGN substrate utilizing patterns of soil treated by combinations were distinctively differentiated from the control and their corresponding single factors. From all of above, the methamidophos, copper, especially their combinations had the clearly potential ecotoxicological risks to influence the natural soil microbial ecological system by changing the structure, richness, and the functional characteristics of microbial community.

Ephrin-B1-mediated regulation of germinal center T-cell territoriality and function

Subject Code:C08With the support by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,a study by the research group led by Prof.Qi Hai(祁海)from the School of Medicine,Tsinghua University revealed a novel mechanism that regulates the germinal center reaction,aphysiological process that underlies high-quality

Solution structure and function of proteins relevant to pre-mRNA splicing

Pre-mRNA splicing is a dynamic process. It is catalyzed by the spliceosome which is a large machine formed by an ordered interactions of several small nuclear ribonucleoproteins, U1,

Facilitating Change: The Role and Function of Private Foundations in Innovation Management

1. The focus is on private foundations, which are engaged in advancing science, technology, and the humanities. In this context the Volkswagen Foundationis a prominent example for Germany. 2. Accordingly, the paper does not look at the management within firms , but at the systemic level of innovation management. Though innovation has a broadermeaning, including also economic, social, and political aspects. research and higher education are central arenas and factors of change. 3. Contemporary research and higher education are confronted with new challenges, which require new responses and new forms of innovation management: science and technology has become an integral part of the knowledge- based society; the boundaries between basic and applied research are vanishing, problem --oriented research is increasing, as a consequence the demand for inter

Scale,Site Selection and Function of Economic and Technological Development Zones

This article analyses different characteristics of scale,site selection and function of the current economic andtehnological development zones in our country.It further proposes that it is inappropriate for the economic andtechnological development zones to follow the“pattern of the special zones”,but a new pattern of“small scale,unitaryfunction and closeness to old city”should be adopted to fit in with the practical conditions in our country.The scale,landuse structure and the relations between the development zone and the old city are the basic issues in planning forthe development zones.These three essential elements constitute the pattern of planning which determines to a certainextent the success or failure of the development zones.

Quantities and function of NK cells in patients with positive BMMNC-Coombs test and cytopenia

Objective To test NK cell quantities and function in patients with positive BMMNC-Coombs test(CBCPC)and cytopenia and to explore how NK cell participate in the progress of this disease.Methods The percentage of CD3-CD56+NK cell in peripheral blood lymphocytes,the expression of activating receptor(NKG2D,NKp46,NKp44),inhibitory receptor(CD158a,CD158b),per-

Co-regulator NCOA5 and cancer

NCOA5 encodes a co-regulator for estrogen receptors(ERαand ERβ),orphan nuclear receptors(REV-ERBαand REV-ERBβ)and liver X receptor.It can influence many cellular processes by either promoting or inhibiting gene expression through its two important functional motifs:LxxLL(co-activator)andΦxxΦΦ(co-repressor).Many reports have revealed the important roles of NCOA5 in diseases,such as diabetes,reproductive defects and autoimmune disease.In this review,we focus on its function in cancers and summary the current research progresses regarding its different roles in various cancers.

采后果实表皮蜡质结构、功能及其调控——综述与展望

表皮蜡质在植物果实生长和贮藏中发挥着重要作用。蜡质是覆盖在果实表皮细胞最外层不溶于水的物质,主要包括超长链脂肪酸(VLCFA)及其衍生物(酯、初级醇、次级醇、醛、酮等)和三萜。这种复杂的脂类化合物在大多数植物表皮细胞中合成并转运至细胞表面。蜡质不仅有利于果实免受微生物侵染,还能减少果实的机械损伤,从而保持果实的商品价值。迄今为止,关于果实蜡质的研究多集中于采前果实蜡质的变化、功能和调控,而忽略了果实采后贮藏过程中蜡质变化及生物学功能。本文对果实表皮蜡质组成、结构及其代谢调控进行综述。重点阐述影响蜡质组成的采后因素,如贮藏温度、相对湿度(RH)、气体环境、外源激素等,以及蜡质对果实采后品质的影响,包括水分散失、果实软化、生理失调、抗病性等。这些总结可能有助于更好地了解采后果实表皮蜡质变化及其在果实品质保持中的作用。

Review on the Research Progress of Dictyophora rubrovolvata

Dictyophora rubrovolvata has beautiful shape,good taste and high nutritional value,and has anti-oxidation,anti-tumor,hypoglycemic and other effects.In this review,the biological characteristics,nutritive chemical composition,polysaccharide extraction and functions,cultivation and pest control of D.rubrovolvata were intensively discussed and summarized,and the future research direction was also prospected.This study aims to provide future recommendations for the research of D.rubrovolvata and then promote the development of D.rubrovolvata industry.

Flavivirus RNA cap methyltransferase:structure,function,and inhibition

Many flaviviruses are significant human pathogens.The plus-strand RNA genome of a flavivirus contains a 5′terminal cap 1 structure(m7GpppAmG).The flavivirus encodes one methyltransferase(MTase),located at the Nterminal portion of the NS5 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase(RdRp).Here we review recent advances in our understanding of flaviviral capping machinery and the implications for drug development.The NS5 MTase catalyzes both guanine N7 and ribose 2'-OH methylations during viral cap formation.Representative flavivirus MTases,from dengue,yellow fever,and West Nile virus(WNV),sequentially generate GpppA!m7GpppA!m7GpppAm.Despite the existence of two distinct methylation activities,the crystal structures of flavivirus MTases showed a single binding site for S-adenosyl-L-methionine(SAM),the methyl donor.This finding indicates that the substrate GpppA-RNA must be repositioned to accept the N7 and 2'-O methyl groups from SAM during the sequential reactions.Further studies demonstrated that distinct RNA elements are required for the methylations of guanine N7 on the cap and of ribose 2'-OH on the first transcribed nucleotide.Mutant enzymes with different methylation defects can trans complement one another in vitro,demonstrating that separate molecules of the enzyme can independently catalyze the two cap methylations in vitro.In the context of the infectious virus,defects in both methylations,or a defect in the N7 methylation alone,are lethal to WNV.However,viruses defective solely in 2'-O methylation are attenuated and can protect mice from later wild-typeWNV challenge.The results demonstrate that the N7 methylation activity is essential for the WNV life cycle and,thus,methyltransferase represents a novel and promising target for flavivirus therapy.

Abnormal energy metabolism and tau phosphorylation in the brains of middle-aged mice in response to atmospheric PM2.5 exposure

In light of the accelerated aging of the global population and the deterioration of the atmosphere pollution, we sought to clarify the potential mechanisms by which fine particulate matter(PM_(2.5)) can cause cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration through the alteration of mitochondrial structure and function. The results indicate that PM_(2.5) inhalation reduces ATP production by disrupting the aerobic tricarboxylic acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation, thereby causing the hypophosphorylation of tau in the cortices of middle-aged mice. Furthermore, excessive reactive oxygen species generation was involved in the impairment. Interestingly, these alterations were partially reversed after exposure to PM_(2.5) ended. These findings clarify the mechanism involved in mitochondrial abnormality-related neuropathological dysfunction in response to atmospheric PM_(2.5) inhalation and provide an optimistic sight for alleviating the adverse health outcomes in polluted areas.

Interpretation of appropriate places: State ceremonies and the imperial main halls of the Tang and Song dynasties

This paper aims to inquiry on the dialectical relationships between Chinese architecture’s form and function in the horizon of long-term historical evolution,by clarifying how the histories of imperial main halls and state ceremonies relate to and interact with each other during the Tang and Song dynasties.The imperialmain halls are themost archetypical and accomplished ones among traditional Chinese buildings,and their function is primarily ritual rather than practical.Although these magnificent buildings are indisputably considered the crowning achievement of Chinese architectural history,how the built space cooperates with ritual practices did not receive deserved attention.With the thorough reading of voluminous official ritual documents and comprehensive utilization of archaeological discoveries together with visual materials,the research presents a broad understanding of the asynchronous developments of the ground-level architectural arrangement and the ritual configuration across these centuries.Also specifically depicted are details of how architecture engaged in the ritual narration and was used as an apparatus to articulate emperor-courtier relationships.