Purification of platelet-derived endothelial cell growth inhibitor and its characterization as transforming growth factor-β type 1

In 1986, Brown and Clemmons (Proc. natl Acad. Sci. USA83 (1986) 3321) showed that platelets contain a substance, platelet-derived growth inhibitor (PDGI), that inhibits in vitro endothelial cell replication. Although platelets are rich in transforming grwoth factor (TGF-), PDGI was considered not to be related to TGF-, on the basis of its reported properties (extraction from platelets at neutral pH, binding to heparin-Sepharose). However, we purified PDGI to near homogeneity and showed that on the basis of HPLC retention behavior, in vitro growth inhibitory activities with several cell types, receptor binding, and immunoneutralization of growth inhibitory activity with specific anti-TGF- type 1 antibodies, PDGI is most probably identical with TGF- type 1.     

Evaluation of the hepatotoxicological effects of a drug in an in vivo/in vitro model

Both in vivo and in vitro models have certain disadvantages for the study of the chronic hepatotoxicity of drugs. The aim of this work was to evaluate a new approach based on an in vivo/in vitro model. After chronic in vivo treatment of rats with Vincamine and Vindeburnol (an eburnamenine derivative which exhibits hepatotoxic properties in man) liver cells were isolated, and functional and metabolic disorders (metabolic utilization of fructose and protein biosynthesis) were studied to determine injury. The results showed no modification of blood parameters, but a direct relationship between the dose of Vindeburnol administered in vivo and the metabolic disorders observed in vitro, evidencing the high sensitivity and reliability of this model.     

Biosynthesis of 1-aminocyclopropanecarboxylic acid: Steric course of the reaction at the C-4 position

Summary Under the action of the appropriate synthase from ripe tomatoes a 11 mixture of (3S, 4R)-[3,4-²H₂] and (3R, 4S)-[3,4-²H₂]-(2S)-adenosylmethionine is transformed into a 11 mixture of the two meso forms of [²H₂]-1-aminocyclopropanecarboxylic acid, a result which proves the operation of an inversion mechanism and which is consistent with direct nucleophilic displacement of the leaving group in the substrate.     

Quantitative genetic models of sexual selection

Summary Quantitative genetic models of sexual selection have disporven some of the central tenets of both the handicap mechanism and the sexy son hypothesis. These results suggest that the good genes approach to sexual selection may generally lead to erroneous results.Runaway sexual selection seems possible under a wide variety of circumstances. Quantittive genetic models have revealed runaway processes for sexually selected attributes expressed in both sexes and for attributes of parental care. Furthermore, the runaway could occur simultaneously in a series of populations that straddle an environmental gradient. While the models support the feasibility of runaway processes, empirical studies are needed to evaluate whether runaways actually happen. Estimates of critical genetic parameters are particularly needed, as well as measures of natural and sexual selection acting on the same population.The models also show that sexual selection has tremendous potential to produce population differentiation, particularly in epigamic traits. Differentiation is promoted by indeterminancy of evolutionary outcome, transient differences among populations during the final slow approach to equilibrium, sampling drift among equilibrium populations, and the tendency of sexual selection to amplify geographic variation arising from spatial differences in natural selection. Recent work with two- and three-locus models of sexual selection has produced results that parallel the results of the polygenic models^36–38,58. Thus the feature of indeterminate equilibria (outcome dependent on initial conditions) is common to both types of model.     

A major metabolite of Δ1-tetrahydrocannabinol reduces its cataleptic effect in mice

Summary The results described here demonstrate that THC-induced catalepsy in mice can be substantially inhibited by the prior administration of ¹-THC-7-oic acid, the major metabolite of THC in most species including humans. This raises the possibility that the intensity and duration of action of THC may depend to a large degree on the levels of this metabolite at the sites of action.We thank the National Institute on Drug Abuse for supporting this project by grants DA-02043 and DA-02052 and for supplying all of the cannabinoids. One of us (S.B.) is also the recipient of a Research Scientist Award from NIDA. We are grateful to Kristen Carlson and Thomas Honeyman for helpful suggestions in preparing this report.     

Structure of the human CLC-7/Ostm1 complex reveals a novel state

CLC-7 functions as a Cl?/H+ exchanger in lysosomes. Defects in CLC-7 and its β-subunit, Ostm1, result in osteopetrosis and neurodegeneration. Here, we present the cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of the human CLC-7/Ostm1 complex (HsCLC-7/Ostm1) at a resolution of 3.6 ?. Our structure reveals a new state of the CLC-7/Ostm1 heterotetramer, in which the cytoplasmic domain of CLC-7 is absent, likely due to high flexibility. The disordered cytoplasmic domain is probably not able to restrain CLC-7 subunits and thus allow their relative movements. The movements result in an approximately half smaller interface between the CLC-7 transmembrane domains than that in a previously reported CLC-7/Ostm1 structure with a well-folded cytoplasmic domain. Key interactions involving multiple osteopetrosis-related residues are affected by the interface change.     

基于PiggyBac转座系统的低溢漏诱导型Tet-On过表达体系的建立及应用

为避免诱导基因稳定表达的Tet-On诱导表达系统溢漏表达,实现简便且高效的外源基因稳定诱导表达, 本研究拟在Tet-On调控的转录水平基础上,将基于稳定配体Shield-1的不稳定结构域FK506结合蛋白引入目的基因的N端,从蛋白水平控制其本底表达水平.为验证该系统的效果,本研究以荧光蛋白TdTomato为报告基因,经流式分析结果证明优化后的体系较原体系的溢漏表达在蛋白水平上降低7倍左右.将该系统应用于基于小鼠胚胎干细胞的体外牙向分化模型,在诱导因子Dox和稳定配体Shield-1的协同作用下,诱导表达牙齿发育相关转录因子Hand2提高了牙向分化诱导的完成度.     

基于脑涨落图和抑郁评分系统评价中医综合治疗抑郁症的疗效

以DEP患者作为研究对象,利用脑涨落图仪（EFG）的客观检查方法及DEP现代医学评分系统,评价解郁合欢汤+五行音乐疗法的中医综合治疗方式对DEP的疗效。指标包括EFG检测大脑神经递质相对功率值、汉密尔顿抑郁量表（HAMD）以及蒙哥马利抑郁评定量表（MADRS）。EFG结果显示,患者治疗后脑内γ-氨基丁酸的相对功率值较治疗前显著降低（P<0.001）,去甲肾上腺素（P<0.001）、多巴胺相对功率值（P<0.001）较治疗前显著提高,患者治疗后的HAMD(P<0.001)、MADRS(P<0.001)较治疗前显著降低。说明中医综合疗法对DEP的疗效确切,可通过对大脑神经递质的调节作用而发挥抗抑郁疗效。     

蒙药治疗呼吸系统疾病研究进展

回顾了古代“丝绸之路”推动蒙医药的发展历程,分析了现代“一带一路”倡议发展思想下,蒙医药的发展机遇。介绍了蒙医药理论体系中经典的三要素理论,列举了蒙医治疗不同呼吸疾病（慢性阻塞性肺疾病、支气管哮喘、肺癌、肺部感染性疾病、新冠肺炎、肺纤维化等）的主要药物与疗法。从临床应用、有效成分挖掘与作用机制研究等方面,综述了近年来蒙医药在呼吸疾病领域中的应用情况和研究进展。     

基于网络药理学和分子对接探讨智脑胶囊改善阿尔茨海默病的作用机制

借助网络药理学和分子对接技术,探讨智脑胶囊改善阿尔茨海默病的干预机制。通过TCMSP、TCMID等多个数据库寻找与智脑胶囊相关的化学成分及其作用靶点;利用GeneCard等数据库获取阿尔茨海默病的作用靶点;运用Venny2.1网站筛选出药物与疾病的交集靶点;使用STRING平台和Cytoscape软件进行拓扑分析得到智脑胶囊治疗阿尔茨海默病的核心作用靶点;采用Metaspace数据库对潜在核心作用靶点进行GO(gene ontology)及KEGG(Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes)通路富集分析;利用AutoDock软件使用分子对接验证活性化合物与核心靶点的结合能力。结果表明：在智脑胶囊中共筛选出44个活性成分和292个有效靶点,智脑胶囊与阿尔茨海默病共同靶点58个;蛋白质-蛋白质相互作用得出关键靶点包括AKT1、IL-6、TNF等;GO分析共包含1 419条,KEGG得到175条代谢通路,主要包括脂质与动脉硬化、TNF信号通路;分子对接显示关键成分与靶点具有良好的结合能力。研究表示智脑胶囊可能通过脂质与动脉硬化和TNF信号通路等途径来减轻...