Analyses of phenotype and ARGOS and ASY1 expression in a ploidy Chinese cabbage series derived from one haploid.

The aim of this research was to improve our understanding of how ploidy level influences phenotype and gene expression in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis). Haploid plants (2n = 10) was induced by 0.2% colchicine to produce diploid (2n = 20) and tetraploid plants (2n = 40). The aneuploid (2n = 24) was also obtained by hybridization between diploid plants as the female and tetraploid plants. The ploidy levels of all plants were identified through chromosome counts and flow cytometry. Leaves and petals became larger as the ploidy level increased from haploid to diploid, and from aneuploid to tetraploid. Similarly, expression of ARGOS was regulated by genome size, increasing in parallel with the level of ploidy. Among the four ploidy types, expression was stronger in the floral buds than in the leaves. Expression by ASY1 also differed according to ploidy level, being highest in diploid plants, followed in order by tetraploids. Expression was similar between haploids and aneuploids at two stages-prior to and after meiosis-but was higher in the haploids during meiosis. When buds were compared within the same ploidy type at different stages, ASY1 expression was obviously higher during meiosis than either before or after. Our study demonstrated the generation and phenotype of a ploidy Chinese cabbage series derived from one haploid. Expression of genes ARGOS and ASY1 were modulated by genome size in this ploidy series, and the regulated patterns of the two genes was different.

[Dosage-toxicity-efficacy relationship of Kansui Radix in malignant pleural effusion models based on Walker 256 analysis].

To investigate the dosage-toxicity-efficacy relationship of Kansui Radix, explore its regularity of the toxicity and efficacy change, and provide scientific basis for its clinical rational application, the malignant pleural effusion models were used to observe the effect of Kansui Radix with larger dose range (0.045-1.620 g•kg•d⁻¹ for Kansui Radix) on biochemical indexes and hydrothorax volume in experimental animals. Factor analysis method was also used to comprehensively assess the dosage-toxicity-efficacy relationship of Kansui Radix. The results showed that the rats in model group had larger hydrothorax volume, and ALT, AST, LDH, HBDH, IFN-γ, IL-2 and TNF-α levels were significantly increased (P<0.05), while TP and ALB levels were decreased (P<0.05) as compared with the blank group. After drug administration, various treatment groups decreased hydrothorax volume, IFN-γ, IL-2, TNF-α and increased TP and ALB levels as compared with model group, indicating certain therapeutic effect; and increased ALT, AST, LDH and HBDH levels, indicating certain liver and cardiac toxicity. In the factor analysis, two common factors were extracted from nine indexes, explaining 89.1% of the information. The analysis results suggested that there was no obvious toxicity in case of independent use of Kansui Radix within the dosage range set in pharmacopeia, while it would produce liver toxicity and cardiac toxicity upon 3 times of the dosage set in pharmacopeia, and the toxicity was increased with the increase of dose. At the same time, Kansui Radix can decrease the hydrothorax volume in malignant pleural effusion models and improve relevant physical indexes in a dose-dependent manner. Comprehensive analysis results of its toxic effect characteristics indicated that the upper-limit dose of Kansui Radix in pharmacopeia shall be regarded as the relatively optimal therapeutic dose.

Potential oxidative stress of gold nanoparticles by induced-NO releasing in serum.

Nitric oxide (NO)-release in blood serum initiated by gold nanoparticles has been prove to be a reaction between RSNO and the gold nanoparitcles. In this reaction the NO production was catalyzed on the surface of the nanoparticles, and a new bond of Au-thiolate was simultaneously formed.

[Cloning of the RgpAcd gene of Porphyromonas gingivalis and its expression in E. coli].

OBJECTIVE: To clone the catalytic domain gene sequence of RgpAcd of Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) and to induce its fusion expression in E. coli. METHODS: The desired DNA fragment RgpAcd was obtained by PCR and was separately sequenced and identified by inserting into inter-vector pMD18-T vector. The correctly fragment was linked with and cloned into a prokaryotic expression vector pET-15b. The recombinant expression plasmid which had been confirmed by enzymes digestion was transformed to E. coli competent cells BL21 (DE3) and expression of fusion protein was induced by IPTG. RESULTS: A 1 476 bp specific fragment was obtained and DNA sequencing showed that the fragment was consistent with those of the published. After induction with IPTG, a fusion protein of 5 x 10(4) was visualized on SDS-PAGE gel. CONCLUSION: The protein of RgpAcd will be obtained for further study and its protein was correctly expressed in E. coli BL21 cells.