Label‐free molecular probe based on G‐quadruplex and strand displacement for sensitive and selective detection and naked eye discrimination of exon 2 deletion of AIMP2

Exon 2 deletion of aminoacyl tRNA synthetase complex‐interacting multifunctional protein 2 (AIMP2) is a genetic deletion related to various cancers, for instance ovarian and lung cancers. It can be worked as an indicator of cancer for diagnosis of diseases. Here, we developed a label‐free method based on the formation of split G‐quadruplex in the presence of target DNA combined with strand displacement to detect exon 2 deletion of AIMP2 (DE2) sensitively and selectively. This method is easy‐operating and cost‐saving. Moreover, it has observed discrimination of gene deletion from wild‐types by naked eyes. The results demonstrate that this strategy can be further used for the detection of different gene deletions to achieve early diagnosis of diseases and allow better prognosis.     

Traditional uses,phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of Lamiophlomis rotata (Benth.) Kudo: a review

Lamiophlomis rotata (Benth.) Kudo is a herbaceous plant of the family Lamiaceae, subfamily Lamioideae. Approximately, 127 chemical constituents have been isolated and identified from L. rotata, including iridoids, flavonoids, phenylethanoid glycosides, polysaccharides, and organic acids. These chemical constituents have extensive pharmacological properties, which include anti-nociceptive, haemostatic, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and cardio-protective activities. Documentation of its historical use in traditional medicine and contemporary phytochemical and pharmacological research indicate that L. rotata has significant potential in therapeutic and health care applications. Both whole extracts and individual chemical components isolated from this plant exhibit a wide range of biological activities that warrant further investigation. These investigations can be assisted by careful review of existing traditional knowledge from diverse cultural backgrounds. A new search for chemical and biological markers and reinforced protection of the germplasm resources of L. rotata are also important to ensure targeted and sustainable use of this medicinal resource. The aim of this review was to provide comprehensive information on the botanical characteristics, traditional uses, ethnopharmacology, chemical and pharmacological properties, toxicity profile, and conservation status of L. rotata, to improve understanding of its mechanisms of action so that novel therapeutic agents may be developed from this plant.

The useful information of Lamiophlomis rotata (Benth.) Kudo was summarized, which provided a basis for the development of new therapeutic drugs for this plant.     

Brain structural correlates of upward social mobility in ethnic minority individuals

Purpose

Perigenual anterior cingulate cortex (pACC) is a neural convergence site for social stress-related risk factors for mental health, including ethnic minority status. Current social status, a strong predictor of mental and somatic health, has been related to gray matter volume in this region, but the effects of social mobility over the lifespan are unknown and may differ in minorities. Recent studies suggest a diminished health return of upward social mobility for ethnic minority individuals, potentially due to sustained stress-associated experiences and subsequent activation of the neural stress response system.

Methods

To address this issue, we studied an ethnic minority sample with strong upward social mobility. In a cross-sectional design, we examined 64 young adult native German and 76 ethnic minority individuals with comparable sociodemographic attributes using whole-brain structural magnetic resonance imaging.

Results

Results showed a significant group-dependent interaction between perceived upward social mobility and pACC gray matter volume, with a significant negative association in the ethnic minority individuals. Post-hoc analysis showed a significant mediation of the relationship between perceived upward social mobility and pACC volume by perceived chronic stress, a variable that was significantly correlated with perceived discrimination in our ethnic minority group.

Conclusion

Our findings extend prior work by pointing to a biological signature of the “allostatic costs” of socioeconomic attainment in socially disadvantaged upwardly mobile individuals in a key neural node implicated in the regulation of stress and negative affect.

     

肝移植术后中期肝脏血流动力学与肝功能异常的关系

目的通过分析肝移植术后中期血流动力学的规律,探讨其与肝功能的关系。方法以2014年2月至2015年10月于青岛大学附属医院进行肝移植手术的56例肝移植受者为研究对象,按肝功能正常与否分为正常组(24例)和异常组(32例)。记录两组的一般资料及肝功能,并应用超声检测其肝移植术前及术后1、30、90 d的肝动脉峰值血流速度(HAP)、门静脉峰值血流速度(PVP)、门静脉灌注量(PVF)等,并计算肝动脉缓冲能力(BC)、校正BC等。对两组间肝脏血流动力学因素与肝功能关系进行单因素和多因素分析,并绘制受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线。结果异常组中移植术后30 d的PVP、PVF明显高于正常组(P=0.014、0.049),正常组中BC及校正BC明显高于异常组(P=0.048、0.011)。多因素分析显示校正BC是其独立危险因素(P=0.047),ROC曲线下面积(AUC)为0.705,灵敏度为0.652,特异度为0.750。结论肝移植术后30 d的PVP、PVF、BC及校正BC可能与肝功能异常有关,其中校正BC可作为诊断及干预肝功能异常的指标之一。     

Deletion of integrin-linked kinase from skeletal muscles of mice resembles muscular dystrophy due to alpha 7 beta 1-integrin deficiency

Integrin-linked kinase (Ilk) is a serine/threonine kinase and an adaptor protein that links integrins to the actin cytoskeleton and to a number of signaling pathways involved in integrin action. We hypothesized that Ilk may act as an important effector of integrins in skeletal muscle, where these receptors provide a critical link between the sarcolemma and the extracellular matrix. Using the cre/lox system, we deleted Ilk from skeletal muscles of mice. The resulting mutants developed a progressive muscular dystrophy with multiple degenerating and regenerating muscle fibers, increased central nuclei, and endomysial fibrosis. These defects were widespread but were most severe near myofascial junctions where Ilk mutants showed displacement of focal adhesion-related proteins, including vinculin, paxillin, focal adhesion kinase, dystrophin, and the alpha 7 beta 1D-integrin subunits. Distal ends of mutant muscle fibers appeared irregular, and there was restructuring of the actin cytoskeleton. These findings resemble those seen in humans and mice lacking the alpha 7-integrin subunit and suggest that Ilk may act as a cytoplasmic effector of alpha 7 beta1-integrin in the pathogenesis of these deficiencies.