Simulated microgravity （SMG） bioreactors and DNA microarray technology are powerful tools to identify ＂space genes＂ that play key roles in cellular response to microgravity. We applied these biotechnology tools to...Simulated microgravity （SMG） bioreactors and DNA microarray technology are powerful tools to identify ＂space genes＂ that play key roles in cellular response to microgravity. We applied these biotechnology tools to investigate SMG and post-SMG recovery effects on human epidermal keratinocytes by exposing cells to SMG for 3, 4, 9, and 10 d using the high aspect ratio vessel bioreactor followed by recovery culturing for 15, 50, and 60 d in normal gravity. As a result, we identified 162 differentially expressed genes, 32 of which were ＂center genes＂ that were most consistently affected in the time course experiments. Eleven of the center genes were from the integrated stress response pathways and were coordinately downregulated. Another seven of the center genes, which are all metallothionein MT-Ⅰ and MT-Ⅱ isoforms, were coordinately up-regulated. In addition, HLA-G, a key gene in cellular immune response suppression, was found to be significantly upregulated during the recovery phase. Overall, more than 80% of the differentially expressed genes from the shorter exposures （≤4 d） recovered in 15 d; for longer （≥9 d） exposures, more than 50 d were needed to recover to the impact level of shorter exposures. The data indicated that shorter SMG exposure duration would lead to quicker and more complete recovery from the microgravity effect.展开更多
Knowledge of simulated microgravity （SMG）-induced changes in the pathogenicity of microorganisms is important for success of long-term spaceflight. In a previous study using the high aspect ratio vessel bioreactor, ...Knowledge of simulated microgravity （SMG）-induced changes in the pathogenicity of microorganisms is important for success of long-term spaceflight. In a previous study using the high aspect ratio vessel bioreactor, we showed that the yeast species Saccharomyces cerevisiae underwent a significant phenotypic response when grown in modeled microgravity, which was reflected in the analysis of gene expression profiles. In this study, we establish that Candida albicans responds to SMG in a similar fashion, demonstrating that there is a conserved response among yeast to this environmental stress. We also report that the growth of C. albicans in SMG results in a morphogenic switch that is consistent with enhanced pathogenicity. Specifically, we observed an increase in filamentous forms of the organism and accompanying changes in the expression of two genes associated with the yeasthyphal transition. The morphological response may have significant implications for astronauts＇ safety, as the fungal pathogen may become more virulent during spaceflight.展开更多
Eight compounds were isolated from red alga Gymnogongrus flabelliformis Harv. In normal phase silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 gel column chromatography, reverse phase HPLC, and recrystallization. Based on MS and ID NMR spe...Eight compounds were isolated from red alga Gymnogongrus flabelliformis Harv. In normal phase silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 gel column chromatography, reverse phase HPLC, and recrystallization. Based on MS and ID NMR spectroscopic data, their structures were determined as： stigmast-4-en-3-one （Ⅰ）, cholest-4-en-3-one （Ⅱ）, cholesterol （m）, uracil （Ⅳ）, uridine （V）, adenosine （Ⅵ）, succinic acid （Ⅶ）, and 5-hydroxy-4-methyl-5-pentyl-2,5-dihydro-furan-2-on （Ⅷ）. All of them were obtained from this species for the first time. Cytotoxicity of these compounds was screened using standard MTT method, but all the compounds were inactive （IC50 〉 10 μg/ml）.展开更多
文摘Simulated microgravity （SMG） bioreactors and DNA microarray technology are powerful tools to identify ＂space genes＂ that play key roles in cellular response to microgravity. We applied these biotechnology tools to investigate SMG and post-SMG recovery effects on human epidermal keratinocytes by exposing cells to SMG for 3, 4, 9, and 10 d using the high aspect ratio vessel bioreactor followed by recovery culturing for 15, 50, and 60 d in normal gravity. As a result, we identified 162 differentially expressed genes, 32 of which were ＂center genes＂ that were most consistently affected in the time course experiments. Eleven of the center genes were from the integrated stress response pathways and were coordinately downregulated. Another seven of the center genes, which are all metallothionein MT-Ⅰ and MT-Ⅱ isoforms, were coordinately up-regulated. In addition, HLA-G, a key gene in cellular immune response suppression, was found to be significantly upregulated during the recovery phase. Overall, more than 80% of the differentially expressed genes from the shorter exposures （≤4 d） recovered in 15 d; for longer （≥9 d） exposures, more than 50 d were needed to recover to the impact level of shorter exposures. The data indicated that shorter SMG exposure duration would lead to quicker and more complete recovery from the microgravity effect.
文摘Knowledge of simulated microgravity （SMG）-induced changes in the pathogenicity of microorganisms is important for success of long-term spaceflight. In a previous study using the high aspect ratio vessel bioreactor, we showed that the yeast species Saccharomyces cerevisiae underwent a significant phenotypic response when grown in modeled microgravity, which was reflected in the analysis of gene expression profiles. In this study, we establish that Candida albicans responds to SMG in a similar fashion, demonstrating that there is a conserved response among yeast to this environmental stress. We also report that the growth of C. albicans in SMG results in a morphogenic switch that is consistent with enhanced pathogenicity. Specifically, we observed an increase in filamentous forms of the organism and accompanying changes in the expression of two genes associated with the yeasthyphal transition. The morphological response may have significant implications for astronauts＇ safety, as the fungal pathogen may become more virulent during spaceflight.
基金the Project NNSF of China (No. 30530080 and 20432030)the New Century Excellent Talent Supporting Program of Chinese Ministry of Education
文摘Eight compounds were isolated from red alga Gymnogongrus flabelliformis Harv. In normal phase silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 gel column chromatography, reverse phase HPLC, and recrystallization. Based on MS and ID NMR spectroscopic data, their structures were determined as： stigmast-4-en-3-one （Ⅰ）, cholest-4-en-3-one （Ⅱ）, cholesterol （m）, uracil （Ⅳ）, uridine （V）, adenosine （Ⅵ）, succinic acid （Ⅶ）, and 5-hydroxy-4-methyl-5-pentyl-2,5-dihydro-furan-2-on （Ⅷ）. All of them were obtained from this species for the first time. Cytotoxicity of these compounds was screened using standard MTT method, but all the compounds were inactive （IC50 〉 10 μg/ml）.
文摘隐身衣可躲避无人机轰炸Invisible cloak can avoid UAV bombardment美国纽约艺术家亚当·哈维(Adam Harvey)及时装设计师约翰娜·布洛姆菲尔德(Johanna Bloomfield)研发了一种特制服装,可以阻挡无人轰炸机红外线扫描仪释放的热辐射。人们穿上这种衣服在扫描仪上呈现黑色可避过监测,从而有可能躲避无人机的轰炸。拍摄单个雪花自由落体的相机The camera takes picture of free falling snow犹他州大学的研究人员已经研发出"多角度雪花照相机"(MASC)。这种相机用3个红外传感器触发的高速照相机来拍摄飘落地面的雪花,同时该装置还可测量雪花的下落速度,一晚上能够拍摄并且测量出数万朵雪花自由落体的美景。
