Forensic efficiency and population genetic construction of Guizhou Gelao minority from Southwest China revealed by a panel of 23 autosomal STR loci

Short tandem repeats (STRs) are the most common genetic markers in forensic and human population genetics due to their high polymorphism, rapid detection, and reliable genotyping. To adapt the rapid growth of forensic DNA database and solve problems in disputed cases, a panel of 23 autosomal STR loci with high discriminating ability was constructed recently. The Tai-Kadai-speaking Gelao is the most ancient indigenous minority in Guizhou province, however, the forensic efficiency and population genetic structure remain poorly explored. Here, 490 Guizhou Gelao individuals from Southwest China were genotyped with the panel of 23 STRs using the Huaxia Platinum Kit. A total of 265 alleles were screened. The combined discrimination power and the combined probability of paternity were 0.9999 and 0.9999, respectively. This indicated the 23 loci had higher discrimination power in Guizhou Gelao and could be applied to forensic practice. Comprehensive population structures with reference populations from China and abroad using the neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree (N-J tree), multidimensional scaling, principal component analysis and heatmap demonstrated that Guizhou Gelao was genetically closer to Guizhou Han than other populations. Moreover, our results showed that a complex phylogenetic model was influenced by ethnic, geographic, and linguistic factors.

Key points

The first batch of genetic data for 23 autosomal STRs in 490 Geolao individuals from Guizhou was provided.The 23 STR panel can afford high genetic polymorphisms and discrimination power and can be efficiently applied to forensic practice in Guizhou Gelao population.A complex phylogenetic model influenced by ethnic, geographic, and linguistic factors was uncovered.

Antioxidant mechanisms of mesenchymal stem cells and their therapeutic potential in vitiligo

Vitiligo is a skin pigmentation disorder caused by melanocyte damage or abnormal function. Reac-tive oxygen species Reactive oxygen species can cause oxidative stress damage to melanocytes, which in turn induces vitiligo. Traditional treatments such as phototherapy, drugs, and other methods of treatment are long and result in frequent recurrences. Currently, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are widely used in the research of various disease treatments due to their excellent paracrine effects, making them a promising immunoregulatory and tissue repair strategy. Furthermore, an increasing body of evi-dence suggests that utilizing the paracrine functions of MSCs can downregulate oxidative stress in the testes, liver, kidneys, and other affected organs in animal models of certain diseases. Addition-ally, MSCs can help create a microenvironment that promotes tissue repair and regeneration in are-as with oxidative stress damage, improving the disordered state of the injured site. In this article, we review the pathogenesis of oxidative stress in vitiligo and promising strategies for its treatment.

Novel Graphene/In2O3 Nanocubes Preparation and Selective Electrochemical Detection for L-Lysine of Camellia nitidissima Chi

In this work, novel graphene/In₂O₃ (GR/In₂O₃) nanocubes were prepared via one-pot solvothermal treatment, reduction reaction, and successive annealing technology at 600 °C step by step. Interestingly, In₂O₃ with featured cubic morphology was observed to grow on multi-layered graphene nanosheets, forming novel GR/In₂O₃ nanocubes. The resulting nanocomposites were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), etc. Further investigations demonstrated that a selective electrochemical sensor based on the prepared GR/In₂O₃ nanocubes can be achieved. By using the prepared GR/In₂O₃-based electrochemical sensor, the enantioselective and chem-selective performance, as well as the optimal conditions for L-Lysine detection in Camellia nitidissima Chi, were evaluated. The experimental results revealed that the GR/In₂O₃ nanocube-based electrochemical sensor showed good chiral recognition features for L-lysine in Camellia nitidissima Chi with a linear range of 0.23–30 μmol·L⁻¹, together with selectivity and anti-interference properties for other different amino acids in Camellia nitidissima Chi.

Linear Graphene Nanocomposite Synthesis and an Analytical Application for the Amino Acid Detection of Camellia nitidissima Chi Seeds

Husk derived amino modified linear graphene nanocomposites (aLGN) with a diameter range of 80-300 nm and a length range of 100-300 μm were prepared by a modified Hummers method, ammonia treatment, NaBH₄ reduction and phenylalanine induced assembly processes, etc. The resulting composites were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), biological microscope (BM), and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), etc. Investigations found that the aLGN can serve as the novel coating of stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) technology. By combing this technology with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), the combined SBSE/GC-MS technology with an aLGN coating can detect seventeen kinds of amino acids of Camellia nitidissima Chi seeds, including Ala, Gly, Thr, Ser, Val, Leu, Ile, Cys, Pro, Met, Asp, Phe, Glu, Lys, Tyr, His, and Arg. Compared to a conventional polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) coating, an aLGN coating for SBSE exhibited a better thermal desorption performance, better analytes fragmentation depressing efficiencies, higher peak intensities, and superior amino acid discrimination, leading to a practicable and highly distinguishable method for the variable amino acid detection of Camellia nitidissima Chi seeds.

[Effects of ANP upon ion pump activity and gene expression in aortic smooth muscle cells from spontaneously hypertensive rats]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effects of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) upon the activities of Na(+), K(+)-ATPase, Ca(2+)-ATPase and mRNA expression levels of Na(+), K(+)-ATPase alpha(1)-subunit and plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase isoform 1 (PMCA1) in cultured thoracic aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) isolated from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).

METHODS

ASMCs isolated from 14-week-old male SHR and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were interference-cultured in different doses of ANP and Angiotensin II (AngII). The contents of ANP and AngII in supernatant from ASMCs were measured by radioimmunoassay. The activities of the above two ATPases were measured by biochemistry and enzymology. RT-PCR assay was employed to determine the relative levels of Na(+), K(+)-ATPase alpha(1)-subunit and PMCA1 mRNA in ASMCs.

RESULTS

The ANP level of supernatant in SHR ASMCs was significantly lower than those from WKY control [(7.3 +/- 2.4) pg x 10(-6) cells vs (19.3 +/- 3.3) pg x 10(-6) cells, P < 0.01] while the content of AngII in SHR ASMCs was significantly higher than those from WKY control [(57 +/- 4) pg x 10(-6) cells vs (44 +/- 4) pg x 10(-6) cells, P < 0.01]. The activity of Na(+), K(+)-ATPase [(4.3 +/- 0.8) micromol x h(-1) x mg(-1) vs (5.3 +/- 1.0) micromol x h(-1) x mg(-1)], Ca(2+)-ATPase [(3.2 +/- 0.7) micromol x h(-1) x mg(-1) vs (4.5 +/- 0.7) micromol x h(-1) x mg(-1)] in ASMCs from SHR were significantly lower than those from WKY control (both P < 0.01). The mRNA expression of Na(+), K(+)-ATPase alpha(1)-subunit (0.524 +/- 0.025 vs 0.704 +/- 0.116), PMCA1 (0.193 +/- 0.030 vs 0.547 +/- 0.045) significantly decreased in ASMCs from SHR versus the WKY control (both P < 0.01). As compared with SHR control, exogenous ANP improved obviously the activities of Na(+), K(+)-ATPase, Ca(2+)-ATPase and expression of alpha(1)-subunit, PMCA1 mRNA in a does-dependent manner (P < 0.05-P < 0.01). Exogenous AngII (1 x 10(-9), 1 x 10(-8), 1 x 10(-7) mol/L) significantly repressed activities of Ca(2+)-ATPase and attenuated the expression of PMCA1 mRNA (P < 0.05-P < 0.01). Only AngII (1 x 10(-7) mol/L) significantly inhibited the activity of Na(+), K(+)-ATPase and attenuated the expression of Na(+), K(+)-ATPase alpha(1)-subunit mRNA (both P < 0.05). ANP antagonized the effects of AngII (1 x 10(-7) mol/L) upon the activities of two ATPases and the expression of Na(+), K(+)-ATPase alpha(1)-subunit PMCA1 mRNA (P < 0.05-P < 0.01). AngII (1 x 10(-7) mol/L) increased the Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activity and the expression of Na(+), K(+)-ATPase alpha(1)-subunit mRNA, repressed the Ca(2+)-ATPase activity and the expression of PMCA1 mRNA in ASMCs from WKY rat (P < 0.05-P < 0.01). ANP antagonized the effects of AngII (1 x 10(-7) mol/L) upon the activity of Ca(2+)-ATPase and the expression of PMCA1 mRNA (P < 0.05-P < 0.01), but did not antagonize the effects of AngII (1 x 10(-7) mol/L) upon the activity of Na(+), K(+)-ATPase and the expression of alpha(1)-subunit mRNA in ASMCs from WKY rats (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The decreased activities of Na(+), K(+)-ATPase and Ca(2+)-ATPase may be related to the abnormal autocrine of ANP and AngII in ASMC of SHR. ANP can antagonize the effects of AngII upon the activities of two ATPases and the expression of Na(+), K(+)-ATPase alpha(1)-subunit PMCA1 mRNA.

[The effect of ultrasonication on immuno-modulating activity of mycelial polysaccharide from Cordyceps gunnii]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate immuno-modulating activity change after mycelial polysaccharide from Cordyceps gunnii (MPCG) was depolymerized by ultrasonication.

METHODS

The effects of MPCG and its depolymerizing mixture on mice spleen lymphocytes proliferation, mice peritoneal macrophage (PMphi) phagocytosis and cytotoxin T lymphocytes (CTL) activity were studied by MTT method, neutral red colorimetry, respectively.

RESULTS

In vitro, MPCG depolymerized by ultrasonication could more significantly inhibite spleen lymphocytes proliferation, PMphi phagocytosis of neutral red and CTL activity in mice than MPCG, in particular at doses of 10 microg/ml and 100 microg/ml. Whereas, four kinds of depolymerized mixture depolymerized for 1h to 2h and 4h to 8h by ultrasonication, respectively, had not evident differences at three various doses.

CONCLUSION

MPCG was suitable for depolymerizing for 1h to 2h and its depolymerized mixture had stronger immuno-modulating activity than MPCG.

Optimization of submerged culture requirements for the production of mycelial growth and exopolysaccharide by Cordyceps jiangxiensis JXPJ 0109

AIMS

The objective of the present study was to investigate the optimal culture requirements for mycelial growth and exopolysaccharide production by Cordyceps jiangxiensis JXPJ 0109 in submerged culture.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The effects of medium ingredients (i.e. carbon and nitrogen sources, and growth factor) and other culture requirements (i.e. initial pH, temperature, etc.) on the production of mycelia and exopolysaccharide were observed using a one-factor-at-a-time method. More suitable culture requirements for mycelial growth and exopolysaccharide production were proved to be maltose, glycerol, tryptone, soya bean steep powder, yeast extract, medium capacity 200 ml in a 500-ml flask, agitation rate 180 rev min(-1), seed age 4-8 days, inoculum size 2.5-7.5% (v/v), etc. The optimal temperatures and initial pHs for mycelial growth and exopolysaccharide production were at 26 degrees C and pH 5 and at 28 degrees C and pH 7, respectively, and corresponding optimal culture age were observed to be 8 and 10 days respectively. According to the primary results of the one-factor-at-a-time experiments, the optimal medium for the mycelial growth and exopolysaccharide production were obtained using an orthogonal layout method to optimize further. Herein the effects of medium ingredients on the mycelial growth of C. jiangxiensis JXPJ 0109 were in the order of yeast extract > tryptone > maltose > CaCl2 > glycerol > MgSO4 > KH2PO4 and the optimal concentration of each composition was 15 g maltose (food-grade), 10 g glycerol, 10 g tryptone, 10 g yeast extract, 1 g KH2PO4, 0.2 g MgSO4, and 0.5 g CaCl2 in 1 l of distilled water, while the order of effects of those components on exopolysaccharide production was yeast extract > maltose > tryptone > glycerol > KH2PO4 > CaCl2 > MgSO4, corresponding to the optimal concentration of medium was as follows: 20 g maltose (food-grade), 8 g glycerol, 5 g tryptone, 10 g yeast extract, 1 g KH2PO4, and 0.5 g CaCl2 in 1 l of distilled water.

CONCLUSIONS

Under the optimal culture requirements, the maximum exopolysaccharide production reached 3.5 g l(-1) after 10 days of fermentation, while the maximum production of mycelial growth achieved 14.5 g l(-1) after 8 days of fermentation.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This is the first report on the submerged culture requirements for mycelial growth and exopolysaccharide in C. jiangxiensis, and this two-step optimization strategy in this study can be widely applied to other microbial fermentation processes.

[A bispecific monoclonal antibody with versatile adaptor mediating different cytotoxicities]

Bispecific monoclonal antibody (bsMAb), secreted by hybrid-hybridoma, has an intact 1g molecule construction with dual antigen binding specificities. bsMAb has several advantages over conventional conjugate in tumor targeting therapy: (1) The damage to both antibody and tumoricidal agents due to chemical crosslinking can be avoided. (2) The antigen modulation can be decreased due to monovalence binding of bsMAb with target antigen. (3) The binding affinity between Fc fragment of bsMAb with heterogenous heavy chains and Fc receptor is decreased, so that nonspecific distribution and side effects can be reduced. (4) The bsMAb can pretarget to tumor site, increasing the T/NT ratio and cytotoxicity. In the present study, A bsMAb with versatile adaptor was designed. In this bsMAb, one arm could react with gastric cancer-associated antigen, and the other with a hapten TNP. The bsMAb could mediate different tumoricidal agents crosslinked to TNP. A variant hybridoma 3H11-HAT(s) secreting McAb against gastric cancer was fused with spleen cells of mice immunized with KLH-TNP. After screening and subcloning, 10 hybrid-hybridomas were obtained, which secreted antibodies against both gastric cancer target cells BGC823 and BSA-TNP. By using special bridge method, only hybrid-hybridomas 6A3 (gamma 2b, mu), and 1G7 (gamma 2b, gamma 2b) were confirmed to secrete bsMAb. Further experiments showed that the bsMAb 6A3 and 1G7 could mediate different cytotoxicities, for example, Ricin-TNP, MMC-HSA-TNP and ADM-BSA-TNP. This system is useful for evaluating different tumoricidal agents in bsMAb targeting therapy, and has potential value in clinics.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[3H]ryanodine binding sites in rat brain demonstrated by membrane binding and autoradiography

High affinity [3H]ryanodine binding sites were characterized in P1 (crude nuclear), P2 (mitochondrial/synaptosomal) and P3 (microsomal) subcellular fractions of rat brain. Binding in each of the fractions was highest at 37 degrees C and pH 8-9, optimal in the presence of 100 microM Ca2+, 550 microM ATP and 1.0 M KCl, and increased linearly as a function of protein. Saturation analyses revealed a single class of binding sites with mean KD values (nM) of 8.9, 1.6 and 5.7 and Bmax values (fmol/mg protein) of 122, 69 and 106 for the P1, P2 and P3 fractions, respectively. The levels of [3H]ryanodine binding in P1 and P2 fractions of 4 brain regions were fairly uniform while those in P3 fractions were 5-fold greater in cerebral cortex than in the other areas examined. By autoradiography, a high concentration of [3H]ryanodine binding sites was seen in the dentate gyrus and CA3 subregions of the hippocampus. The results suggest that [3H]ryanodine binding sites, perhaps similar to [3H]ryanodine receptors in muscle, are associated with various subcellular structures and are heterogeneously distributed in the CNS.

A rapid and efficient method for testing immunohistochemical reactivity of monoclonal antibodies against multiple tissue samples simultaneously

A flexible, efficient and rapid method was developed whereby a small volume of monoclonal antibody could be used to immunohistochemically stain many different tissues, simultaneously, on one standard glass slide. This method is based on the preparation of 'cores' of paraffin-embedded tissue from standard histology blocks. The paraffin cores are straightened, inserted into a casing cut from an ordinary drinking straw, mounted in a paraffin block and sectioned. Over 120 individual tissue samples can be organized on a slide and stained for screening or characterization with 0.25 ml of diluted primary antibody. Advantages of this paraffin core method include: great economies in time, reagents, tissue specimens and antibodies; ease of producing multiple, regular, stable, easily handled tissue core samples; direct identification of intratissue regions of interest for inclusion; efficient use of rare tissue samples; versatility for rapid construction of multiple tissue slides containing any combination of relevant tissues from a 'library' of tissue cores; and, no need for deparaffinization and reembedding of tissues.

Stereochemistry of the hydrolysis of the endo isomer of uridine 2',3'-cyclic phosphorothioate catalyzed by the nonspecific phosphohydrolase from Enterobacter aerogenes

The nonspecific phosphohydrolase from Enterobacter aerogenes (ATCC 13048) requires divalent metal ions for activity, since zinc present in the isolated enzyme can be removed by extensive dialysis against 8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonate at pH 7.5 to yield an inactive enzyme which can be reactivated by addition of Zn2+, Cd2+, Co2+, Mn2+, or Ni2+; six ions of either zinc or cadmium can be incorporated into the inactive enzyme, and this incorporation of metal ion can be correlated with the regaining of activity (J. A. Gerlt, R. Dhesi, and H. C. Hemmings, unpublished experiments). The cadmium-reactivated phosphohydrolase catalyzes the hydrolysis of the endo isomer of uridine 2',3'-cyclic phosphorothioate (U greater than pS) to yield uridine 3'-monophosphorothioate as the major product. After enzymatic hydrolysis of the cyclic phosphorothioate in 19.8% H218O and chemical recyclization of the 18O-labeled acyclic phosphorothioates to yield a mixture of the endo and exo isomers of U greater than pS, 18O is found primarily in the exo isomer, as judged by examination of the 145.7-MHz phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of the mixture. This observation indicates that the cadmium phosphosphohydrolase catalyzes hydrolysis of endo-U greater than pS with inversion of configuration, implying that the hydrolysis reaction proceeds by an in-line attack of water on the phosphorus.