cDNA cloning and expression of a collectin from red-spotted grouper(Epinephelus akaara)

Lectins play a crucial role in the innate immunity of invertebrates and vertebrates by recognizing and disposing of pathogens. We obtained the complete cDNA of a C-type lectin （EALecl） from Epinephelus akaara using RACE. The complete EALecl cDNA sequence was 827 bp. The 5-UTR and 3-UTR were 28 bp and 151 bp, respectively, in length. The sequence also contained a polyadenylation signal AATAAA and a poly（A） tail. The EALecl cDNA encodes polypeptides with 215 amino acids, including a signal peptide of 31 amino acids. The protein has a cysteine-rich region at the N terminal, a collagenous region characterized by G-X-Y repeats, a neck region, and a typical carbohydrate-recognition domain （CRD）, indicating that EALecl is a collectin. The key recognition positions of this CRD are EPD, isolated for the first time in fish. These are likely the interim types, between mannan-binding lectin and galactose-binding lectin. We evaluated the expression pattern of EALecl in 12 different tissues using RT-PCR. EALecl was expressed in all tissues, though at different levels. In addition, we inserted EALecl into an expression vector （pET-28a） for transformation into the BL21 engineering bacteria. Based on enzyme digestion and sequencing of the positive clone, we successfully constructed the EALecl recombinant expression vector.

Influence of different acupoint combinations on immediate effect of surface electromyography of patients with cervical spondylosis

Objective To observe the influence of different acupoint combinations on immediate effect of surface electromyography of patients with cervical spondylosis, and to explore the interactions and laws among different acupoint combinations. Methods Acupuncture in three kinds of different acupoint combinations was conducted on 90 patients with cervical spondylosis（three groups）： group A [distal point selection group： Kūnlún（昆仑 BL 60） and Hòuxī（后溪 SI 3）]; group B [local point selection group： Fēngchí（风池 GB 20） and Tiānzhù（天柱 BL 10）]; group C（distal and local point selection group： BL 60, SI 3, GB 20 and BL 10）. Self control before and after treatment was adopted to observe the mean value of surface electromyography（SEMG） amplitude, to measure the mean values of integrated electromyography（IEMG） and electromyography root mean square（RMS）, and to calculate the variation rate of electromyography amplitude of trapezius on the affected side of patients before and after acupuncture. The differences of influences of different acupoint combinations on immediate effect of surface electromyography were compared intra-group, and the differences among the three groups after acupuncture were also compared. Results According to the intragroup comparison before and after acupuncture, the differences of mean value of electromyography amplitude, variation rate of electromyography amplitude, IEMG and RMS were both statistically significant（all P〈0.05）. According to the inter-group comparison after acupuncture, the mean value of electromyography amplitude, variation rate of electromyography amplitude, IEMG and RMS varied in different degrees, however, the differences were not significant（all P〉0.05）; there was no significant difference in the total effective rate among the three groups（P〉0.05）. Conclusion Acupuncture treatment in different acupoint combinations can increase IEMG and RMS and reduce mean value of electromyography amplitude and variation rate of electromyography amplitude, enhance cervical vertebral stability and active contractility of muscle fiber, and improve the fatigue resistance of neck flexion; while, the therapeutic effect of acupuncture on cervical spondylosis has nothing to do with the distance or the number of selected acupoint.

The gap in research on polyploidization between plants and vertebrates:model systems and strategic challenges

Polyploidization via whole-genome duplications （WGD） is a common phenomenon in organisms. However, investigations into this phenomenon differ greatly between plants and animals. Recent research on polyploid plants illustrates the immediate changes that follow WGDs and the mechanisms behind in both genetic and epigenetic consequences. Unfortunately, equivalent questions remain to be explored in animals. Enlightened by botanical research, the study of polyploidization in vertebrates involves the identification of model animals and the establishment of strategies. Here we review and compare the research on plants and vertebrates while considering intrageneric or intraspecific variation in genome size. Suitable research methods on recently established poly- ploidy systems could provide important clues for under- standing what happens after WGDs in vertebrates. The approach yields insights into survival and the rarity of polyploidization in vertebrates. The species of Carassius and the allopolyploid system of goldfish × common carp hybridization appear to be suitable models for unraveling the evolution and adaptation of polyploid vertebrates.