Unusual distribution pattern of telomeric repeats in the shrews <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sorex araneus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sorex granarius</Emphasis>

Sorex araneus and Sorex granarius are sibling species within the Sorex araneus group with karyotypes composed of almost identical chromosome arms. S. granarius has a largely acrocentric karyotype, while, in S. araneus, various of these acrocentrics have combined together by Robertsonian (Rb) fusions to form metacentrics, with the numbers and types of metacentrics differing between chromosomal races. Our studies on telomeric sequences in S. araneus and S. granarius revealed differences between chromosomes and between species. In S. araneus (the Novosibirsk race), hybridization signals were present on the telomeres of all the chromosomes after FISH with a PCR-generated telomeric probe. In addition, hybridization signals were observed at high frequencies in the pericentric regions of some but not all metacentrics formed by Rb fusion. There were fewer signals on those metacentrics formed earlier in the evolution of S. araneus. This suggests that S. araneus chromosomes retain at least some telomeric repeats during Rb fusion, but that these repeats are lost or modified over time. These results are critical for the interpretation of the well-studied hybrid zones between chromosomal races of S. araneus, given that Rb fission has been postulated in such hybrid zones and that the likelihood of Rb fission will relate to presence/absence of telomeric sequences at the centromeres of metacentrics. In S. granarius, there were strong signals at the proximal (centromeric) telomeres of the acrocentrics after FISH with a DNA telomeric probe. FISH with a PNA telomeric probe on S. granarius acrocentrics showed that the proximal telomeres were 213 kb on average, while the length of the distal telomeres was 3.8 kb on average. Two-colour FISH, using a telomeric DNA probe and a microdissected probe generated from the pericentric regions of the S. granarius chromosomes a and b, revealed regions on distinct chromatin fibres where telomeric and microdissected probes were colocalized or localized sequentially. The proximal telomeres of S. granarius are highly unusual both in their large size and their heterogeneous structure relative to the telomeres of other mammals.     

Caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK potentiates heat shock-induced apoptosis and HSP70 synthesis in macrophages

Caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK potentiated heat shock-induced apoptosis in macrophages. Z-VAD-FMK did not activate HSP70 synthesis, but significantly increased the intensity of this process during heat shock. It cannot be excluded that caspases abolish HSP70 accumulation under these conditions. The HSP70 synthesis inhibitor quercetin potentiated DNA fragmentation in macrophages cocultured with Z-VAD-FMK after heat shock. HSP70 play an important role in the protection of macrophages from caspase-independent apoptosis.Translated from Byulleten Eksperimentalnoi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 138, No. 9, pp. 261–263, September, 2004     

Ribosomal DNA locus evolution in Nemesia: transposition rather than structural rearrangement as the key mechanism?

We investigated chromosome evolution in Nemesia using fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH) to identify the locations of 5S and 45S (18–26S) ribosomal genes. Although there was conservation between Nemesia species in chromosome number, size and centromere position, there was large variation in both number and position of ribosomal genes in different Nemesia species (21 different arrangements of 45S and 5S rRNA genes were observed in the 29 Nemesia taxa studied). Nemesia species contained between one and three pairs of 5S arrays and between two and four pairs of 45S arrays. These were either sub-terminally or interstitially located and 45S and 5S arrays were often located on the same chromosome pair. Comparison of the positions of rDNA arrays with meiotic chromosome behaviour in interspecific hybrids of Nemesia suggests that some of the changes in the positions of rDNA have not affected the surrounding chromosome regions, indicating that rDNA has changed position by transposition. Chromosome evolution is frequently thought to occur via structural rearrangements such as inversions and translocations. We suggest that, in Nemesia, transposition of rDNA genes may be equally if not more important in chromosome evolution.     

Selective labeling of sensory hair cells and neurons in auditory, vestibular, and lateral line systems by a monoclonal antibody

This study reports that zn-1, a monoclonal antibody, labels hair cells but not supporting cells in the inner ear and the lateral line of the axolotl salamander, Ambystoma mexicanum. Zn-1 immunocytochemically labels the cytoplasm and stereocilia of mature hair cells in the sacculus, in the utriculus, and in the mechanoreceptive neuromast organs of the lateral line. Lower levels of labeling mark newly formed hair cells in the periphery of the sacculus and in regenerating neuromasts. Zn-1 also selectively labels neuronal processes and perikarya in the lateral line nerves and ganglia and the VIIIth cranial nerve and ganglion. Processes and perikarya are labeled by zn-1 in the dorsolateral medulla oblongata, at sites of termination of the afferent octaval and lateral line neurons. Western blot analysis revealed that zn-1 labels one or more proteins with molecular weights of 80 and 160 kDa. The identity of these protein bands remains to be determined. The presence of a specific epitope expressed in both hair cells and neurons, but not in supporting cells, in the vestibular and auditory epithelia of the ear and in the mechanoreceptive neuromasts of the lateral line suggests shared cytogenetic heritages. These findings are consistent with a close evolutionary relationship between otic and lateral line senses, such as that inherent to the theoretical evolutionary scheme outlined in van Bergeijk's "acousticolateralis hypothesis." The protein recognized by zn-1 is as yet unidentified, but its conservative evolution suggests that it may serve an important function in the statoacoustic and lateral line systems.     

鲜中药治疗急性白血病76例

目的 中药治疗急性白血病可以提高其疗效及患的生活质量。方法 针对急性白血病阴液亏虚、热毒炽盛的主要病机,选用大剂量甘寒养阴鲜中药为主组方,随证加减,辨证论治。结果 鲜中药治疗难治性白血病76例,完全缓解37例（48.7%),部分缓解14例（18.4%),未缓解25例（32．9％）,总缓解率达67．1％,获缓解的病例中,服药时间最短30天,最长180天,平均60．7天。结论 养阴清热鲜中药为主治疗急性白血病,辨证与辨病相结合。可提高缓解率,延长存活期,减轻化疗毒副作用,提高生活质量。     

湿温病湿重于热证的动物实验研究

用多因素综合造模方法,模拟湿温病湿重于热证的发生发展过程,观察实验动物血液生化、免疫功能的变化及病理切片。并用自拟中药燥湿运脾汤治疗模型动物,观察其治疗前后的变化。初步揭示湿重于热证的病理实质以及燥湿运脾汤的作用机理。     

Immunogenicity and tumor-inhibiting effects of HSP-antigen peptide complex in melanoma B16 cells in mice

目的 :黑色素瘤 B1 6细胞热休克蛋白 -抗原肽复合物 (HACs)及其粗提物 (HAC- CEs)的制备 ,以及它们的免疫原性和抑瘤效应的研究。方法 :应用 Sephacryl S- 2 0 0凝胶过滤制备HAC- CEs,应用亲和层析纯化 HACs,并测其免疫功能和抑瘤效应。结果 :应用凝胶过滤制备的HAC- CE3、HAC- CE4、HAC- CE5和应用亲和层析纯化的 HAC60 ,HAC75和 HAC97均不同程度地降低肿瘤发生率、延迟肿瘤发生时间和减少移植黑色素瘤 C57BL/6J小鼠死亡率 ;同时 ,伴有小鼠脾细胞 IFN-γ和 IL- 2分泌活性及 CTL杀伤率的增加。结论 :分子量为 60 0 0 0～ 970 0 0的 HACs具有免疫原性和抑瘤效应 ,本研究为制备肿瘤疫苗提供重要的实验依据。     

热休克预处理诱导HSP70蛋白表达减轻神经细胞的缺血损伤

目的 :研究热休克预处理对脑缺血再灌后热休克蛋白 70 (HSP70 )的表达影响及对缺血神经细胞损伤的保护作用。方法 :采用沙鼠短暂前脑缺血再灌损伤模型 ,光镜观察缺血再灌后神经细胞损伤情况 ,免疫组化方法检测脑缺血后不同时期额叶HSP70蛋白表达。结果 :沙鼠脑缺血后HSP70蛋白仅在再灌后 1d有少量表达 (P <0 .0 1) ;缺血神经细胞在再灌后第 7d大多出现损伤改变 ;热休克预处理能增加沙鼠脑缺血再灌后各期HSP70蛋白表达 (P <0 .0 1) ,明显减轻缺血神经细胞损伤 (P <0 .0 1)。结论 :热休克预处理能通过增加HSP70蛋白表达 ,减少缺血神经细胞损伤。     

αB-晶状体蛋白在保护过氧化氢所致心肌细胞损伤中的作用

采用热休克对新生大鼠心肌细胞进行预处理 ,以诱导αB 晶状体蛋白的表达 ,并观察其对 1mmol·L- 1 的过氧化氢 (H2 O2 )所致心肌细胞损伤的保护作用。发现 :热休克预处理组心肌细胞中αB 晶状体蛋白表达明显增加 ,H2 O2 所致的细胞死亡率及LDH释放率降低 ,总抗氧化能力增强 ;H2 O2 可引起αB 晶状体蛋白从胞浆向胞核及微丝移位。提示热休克预处理的心肌细胞保护作用与其诱导αB 晶状体蛋白的表达增加有关。αB 晶状体蛋白可能通过细胞内移位 ,保护某些核结构 ,稳定细胞骨架 ,并增强心肌细胞抗氧化能力 ,从而发挥其保护作用     

张锡纯热病善后调理诸法探析

张锡纯一生善治伤寒、温病与各类急证 ,所著《医学衷中参西录》尤精于热病的善后调理 ,究其辨证立法的本质内涵而言 ,仍不离辨证施治的主旨。所论调理措施主要有药物调理、饮食调理、精神调理 3个方面