Enhanced conversion of sterols to steroid synthons by augmenting the peptidoglycan synthesis gene pbpB in Mycobacterium neoaurum

Some species of mycobacteria have been modified to transform sterols to valuable steroid synthons. The unique cell wall of mycobacteria has been recognized as an important organelle to absorb sterols. Some cell wall inhibitors (e.g., vancomycin and glycine) have been validated to enhance sterol conversion by interfering with transpeptidation in peptidoglycan biosynthesis. Therefore, two transpeptidase genes, pbpA and pbpB, were selected to rationally modify the cell wall to simulate the enhancement effect of vancomycin and glycine on sterol conversion in a 22‐hydroxy‐23,24‐bisnorchol‐4‐ene‐3‐one (4‐HBC) producing strain (WIII). Unexpectedly, the pbpA or pbpB gene augmentation was conducive to the utilization of sterols. The pbpB augmentation strain WIII‐pbpB was further investigated for its better performance. Compared to WIII, the morphology of WIII‐pbpB was markedly changed from oval to spindle, indicating alterations of the cell wall. Biochemical analysis indicated that the altered cell wall properties of WIII‐pbpB might contribute to the positive effect on sterol utilization. The productivity of 4‐HBC was enhanced by 28% in the WIII‐pbpB strain compared to that of WIII. These results demonstrated that the modification of peptidoglycan synthesis can improve the conversion of sterols to steroid synthons in mycobacteria.     

Further confirmation of second- and third-generation Eimeria necatrix merozoite DEGs using suppression subtractive hybridization

Parasitology Research - In our previous study, we obtained a large number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between second-generation merozoites (MZ-2) and third-generation merozoites (MZ-3)...     

Preparation of nanocellulose and its potential in reinforced composites: A review

Cellulose is a kind of natural polymer material, which is composed of bundle-like fibrils. By peeling the fibrils layer by layer, the size of cellulose can be nanocrystallized, and nanofibers and nanocrystals with unique and potentially useful features can be prepared. As an emerging functional polymer material, nanocellulose has become a research hotspot in the field of technology. This review discusses the preparation of nanocellulose, including the commonly used hydrolysis, oxidation, physical and environmentally friendly ionic liquid methods. The advantages and disadvantages of different methods are also compared. And the review introduced the application of nanofiberized cellulose and nanocellulose crystals in the fields of thermosetting and thermoplastics, such as polylactic acid, polypropylene, epoxy resin and so on. The critical factors in the manufacturing of nanocellulose composites and mechanical properties are discussed to provide a reference for the further application and development of nanocellulose.     

二巯基丁二酸修饰的Fe3O4纳米颗粒对人血管内皮细胞的作用研究

目的研究二巯基丁二酸修饰的Fe3O4纳米颗粒(dimercaptosuccinic acid-magnetite nanoparticles,DMSA-Fe3O4)对人脐静脉内皮细胞(human umbilical vein endothelial cells,HUVECs)功能的影响。方法利用动态光散射法表征DMSA-Fe3O4的粒径及表面电荷;采用普鲁士蓝染色、邻二氮菲铁定量和透射电镜观察方法研究HUVECs对DMSA-Fe3O4的摄取规律;利用细胞计数试剂盒(Cell Counting Kit-8,CCK-8)检测DMSA-Fe3O4对内皮细胞活性的影响;通过酶联免疫吸附试剂盒测定DMSA-Fe3O4对内皮细胞血管内皮生长因子(vascular endothelial growth factor,VEGF)分泌量的影响。结果HUVECs能够大量吞噬DMSA-Fe3O4,其吞噬量具有孵育时间和剂量依赖性;短时间内所测剂量范围DMSA-Fe3O4对细胞活性无显著影响,但长时间高剂量条件使细胞活性明显降低。此外,在高剂量DMSA-Fe3O4暴露下(200μg/mL),内皮细胞分泌VEGF的量约为对照组的3倍。结论DMSA-Fe3O4易于被HUVECs吞噬;高浓度DMSA-Fe3O4与HUVECs长时间培养使细胞活性降低,并刺激内皮细胞分泌VEGF。     

Novel missense mutation in VPS33B is associated with isolated low gamma‐glutamyltransferase cholestasis: Attenuated,incomplete phenotype of arthrogryposis,renal dysfunction,and cholestasis syndrome

The typical phenotype of arthrogryposis, renal dysfunction, and cholestasis (ARC) syndrome involves three cardinal symptoms as the name describes, harboring biallelic mutations on VPS33B or VIPAS39. Except for ARC syndrome, low gamma‐glutamyltransferase (GGT) cholestasis often implies hereditary hepatopathy of different severity; however, some remain undiagnosed. Several monogenic defects typically with multiorgan manifestations may only present liver dysfunction at times, such as DGUOK defect and AGL defect. Previously, four VPS33B mutated cases were reported without arthrogryposis, or with less severe symptoms and longer lifespan, indicating the possibility of incomplete ARC phenotype of isolated hepatopathy. So we retrospectively reviewed all patients with confirmed VPS33B/VIPARS39 defect in our center and identified three presenting isolated low‐GGT cholestasis with intractable pruritus. Distinguished from others with typical ARC phenotype, these patients did not suffer the other two typical characteristics, survived much longer, and shared a novel missense VPS33B variation c.1726T>C, p.Cys576Arg, causing declined protein expression and abolished interaction with VIPAS39 in‐vitro. Serum bile acid profiles of our VPS33B/VIPAS39 mutated patients revealed similar changes to primary defect of bile salt export pump, among which those with isolated cholestasis phenotype had a higher level of total secondary bile acids than that with typical ARC phenotype, indicating the partial residual function of VPS33B.     

Edgwise矫治器在固定外伤松动牙中的应用

目的 寻求一种固定外伤松动乳牙或年轻恒牙的新方法。方法 43例4～14岁的66颗外伤松动牙，常规粘结托槽、方丝及结扎丝“8”字结扎固定，3个月后拆除。治疗前、治疗后1个月、2个月、3个月、半年拍摄根尖片，观察愈合情况。结果 75．7％正常愈合，15．2％根吸收，3．0％牙冠变色，3．0％牙冠变色。结论 Edgwise托槽应用于外伤松动牙的固定安全、简便、损伤小、易清洁，效果满意。     

唇腭裂患者牙槽嵴数字化模型建立及分析的初步探讨

目的 通过三维激光扫描建立唇腭裂患者牙槽嵴的数字化模型，为唇腭裂患者的模型分析建立科学方法。方法 唇裂修复术前于全麻状态下对1例右侧完全性唇腭裂患者的上颌无牙颌制取模型，用激光扫描仪扫描，通过计算机逆向工程软件进行模型重建。结果 此法可在重建模型上设定测量参考点9个，并可测出各标志点间的距离；模型可切割后测量和计算。结论 激光扫描三维分析方法是分析唇腭裂患者牙槽嵴形态及方向改变的一种理想方法，应用此模型可量化分析唇腭裂患者随生长发育而变化的上颌牙槽嵴形态。