Short communication: Simultaneous identification of five kappa-casein (CSN3) alleles in domestic goat by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism

Until now, a total of nine polymorphic sites corresponding to six different alleles have been described at the κ-casein (CSN3) locus in the domestic goat (Capra hircus). A protocol for the rapid and simultaneous genotyping of five goat CSN3 alleles by using polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) technique was developed. Moreover, the developed test was validated by screening the CSN3 variability in four Italian breeds, Garganica, Jonica, Maltese, and Camosciata. Seven different patterns were readily identifiable. These corresponded to five known alleles and two newly identified variants. The G/A substitution at nucleotide position 471, which is not identifiable at the protein level but was found to be very frequent in the typed breeds, is easily detectable by the protocol developed. The PCR-SSCP analysis is a powerful tool for the genetic study of CSN3 variability in domestic goats, allowing both the simultaneous identification of different alleles, and the detection of new variants.     

Infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction studies on the crystallographic evolution of La2O3 films upon annealing

Rare earth oxides (REOs) have lately received extensive attention in relation to the continuous scaling down of non-volatile memories (NVMs). In particular, La₂O₃ films are promising for integration into future NVMs because they are expected to crystallize above 400 °C in the hexagonal phase (h-La₂O₃) which has a higher κ value than the cubic phase (c-La₂O₃) in which most of REOs crystallize. In this work, La₂O₃ films are grown on Si by atomic layer deposition using La(C₅H₅)₃ and H₂O. Within the framework of the h-La₂O₃ formation, we systematically study the crystallographic evolution of La₂O₃ films versus annealing temperature (200-600 °C) by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD). As-grown films are chemically unstable in air since a rapid transformation into monoclinic LaO(OH) and hexagonal La(OH)₃ occurs. Vacuum annealing of sufficiently thick (>100 nm) La(OH)₃ layers induces clear changes in FTIR and GIXRD spectra: c-La₂O₃ gradually forms in the 300-500 °C range while annealing at 600 °C generates h-La₂O₃ which exhibits, as inferred from our electrical data, a desirable κ ∼ 27. A quick transformation from h-La₂O₃ into La(OH)₃ occurs due to H₂O absorption, indicating that the annealed films are chemically unstable. This study extends our recent work on the h-La₂O₃ formation.     

Structure and properties of κ-carbides in duplex lightweight steels

Abstract

κ-Carbide in lightweight steel has been studied. Its thermal stability, crystal morphology, orientation relationship, degree of lattice misfit and mechanical properties have been measured experimentally. The mechanisms for the microstructural evolution of κ-carbide are considered based on the crystal structure, lattice misfit, element diffusivity and solute partition. The hard γ/κ grain and ductile α+κ grain provide an opportunity to develop lightweight steels with a desirable combination of mechanical properties.     

心脉隆对窒息新生鼠心肌NF-κB和TNF-α的影响

目的观察窒息新生鼠应用心脉隆干预后心肌缺氧缺血损伤NF-κB和TNF-α的变化,探讨心脉隆抗未成熟心肌缺氧缺血损伤的作用及其机制。方法将96只新生SD大鼠按随机数字表法分为3组：正常对照组（n=32）、窒息组（n=32）、心脉隆干预组（n=32）,各组再分3、6、12、24 h 4个时间点,每个时间点各8只;建立新生鼠窒息模型,测定新生鼠血清心肌酶（CK-MB）水平并观察心肌组织病理形态学变化,应用免疫组织化学法检测心肌NF-κB的表达、ELISE法检测心肌TNF-α的表达。结果窒息组血清CK-MB水平、心肌NF-κB和TNF-α的表达较正常对照组显著增强,以6 h达到高峰（均P〈0.01）,且心肌NF-κB和TNF-α表达具有正相关性（r=0.979,P〈0.01）;心脉隆干预组与窒息组相比,血清CK-MB水平、心肌NF-κB和TNF-α的表达均显著减弱（均P〈0.01）。结论窒息新生鼠心肌组织NF-κB、TNF-α的表达增加,窒息6 h后NF-κB、TNF-α的表达达高峰;心脉隆可降低心肌NF-κB、TNF-α的表达,减轻未成熟心肌损伤。     

舌下含服粉尘螨疫苗免疫治疗法对哮喘小鼠树突状细胞及NF-κB的影响

目的通过对哮喘模型小鼠舌下含服粉尘螨疫苗进行治疗,研究治疗前后树突状细胞（dendritic cell,DC）和NF-κB在颌下淋巴结和肺部的变化,比较高剂量疫苗和低剂量疫苗对哮喘小鼠的治疗疗效。方法采用常规方法制备舌下含服粉尘螨疫苗。28只BALB/c小鼠按随机数字表法分为正常组（A组）、哮喘模型组（B组）、粉尘螨高剂量治疗组（C组）、粉尘螨低剂量治疗组（D组）,每组7只。检测小鼠气道高反应性,观察支气管肺胞灌洗液（BALF）中细胞计数和分类,肺组织HE染色观察小鼠肺部炎症状况;通过免疫组织化学染色和体视学测量观察各组小鼠肺组织NF-κB阳性细胞的变化和颌下淋巴结33D1阳性DC的表达。结果 C组BALF中嗜酸性细胞计数、肺组织炎症细胞浸润较B组显著减少（P〈0.05）,气道高反应性下降（P〈0.01）。C、D组哮喘小鼠颌下淋巴结33D1阳性DC和肺部NF-κB阳性细胞的数密度、体密度、表面积密度均下降,C组比D组下降更明显（P〈0.01）。结论高剂量舌下含服粉尘螨疫苗治疗哮喘小鼠有显著疗效,与DC的免疫耐受和NF-κB的下调密切相关。     

穿心莲内酯对脂多糖诱导的小鼠急性肺损伤中NF-κB信号通路的影响

目的探讨穿心莲内酯(Andrographolide,AP)对脂多糖(Lipopolysaccharide,LPS)诱导的小鼠急性肺损伤(Acute lung injury,ALI)中NF-κB信号通路的影响。方法将雄性C57BL/6小鼠随机分为3组:空白对照组、LPS组和AP+LPS组。AP+LPS组腹腔内注射10 mg/kg的AP,空白对照组腹腔内注射等体积的NS,2次/d,连续3 d,第3天注射后2 h,LPS组和AP+LPS组气管内雾化吸入LPS(1 mg/kg),空白对照组气管内雾化吸入等剂量的NS,12 h后处死小鼠,开胸取肺,10%甲醛溶液固定,随后进行石蜡切片及常规HE染色,光镜下观察各组小鼠肺组织的病理学变化;免疫组化法观察肺组织中血管细胞黏附分子-1(Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1,VCAM-1)蛋白的表达;Western blot法检测肺组织中磷酸化抑制蛋白IκB(Phospho-inhibitor ofκB,p-IκBα)和p-NF-κB(P65)蛋白的表达。结果 LPS组小鼠肺损伤明显,有明显的炎症反应;AP+LPS组小鼠肺损伤明显减轻,炎症细胞浸润明显减少。与LPS组相比,AP+LPS组小鼠肺组织中VCAM-1蛋白的表达明显抑制;p-IκBα和p-NF-κB(P65)蛋白的表达明显降低(P<0.05)。结论 AP可通过抑制磷酸化的IκBα的降解及P65单体的磷酸化来调节NF-κB通路,从而减轻小鼠肺损伤的炎症变化。     

Preparation and rheology of titanium dioxide nanoparticles loaded κ-carrageenan hydrogel beads strengthened by mixed salts for multipollutant water remediation

Hydrogel beads are emerging as alternate adsorbent material for the batch or continuous column treatment of dye wastewater. Polysaccharide-based gel beads are preferred for their uniform shape and size, large specific surface area, and easy separation by filtration and subsequent reuse. In this work, we prepare and rheologically characterize UV-active κ-carrageenan/TiO₂ beads for the adsorption and degradation of dyes. The 3–4 mm sized nanocomposite beads are formed by the extrusion of κ-carrageenan/TiO₂ gel solution in salt solutions. The maximum increase in modulus was observed with the addition of 1% w/v TiO₂ to κ-carrageenan and subsequent crosslinking with mixed salt of KCl and CaCl₂. κ-carrageenan/TiO₂ beads crosslinked by mixed salt of KCl and CaCl₂ have higher adsorption capacity, as compared to beads crosslinked with single salt of KCl. The kinetic study indicated the chemisorption of Methylene Blue on the bead surface. κ-carrageenan/TiO₂ beads showed higher degradation for Methylene Blue and Nile Blue A than Rhodamine B in 5 and 50 ppm each multicomponent dye systems under UV irradiation. The κ-carrageenan/TiO₂ beads could form a porous column for the selective adsorption of positively charged dyes from a multicomponent dye system.     

牦牛κ-酪蛋白新遗传变异体及进化分析

为明确牦牛乳中κ-酪蛋白中遗传多样性,以κ-酪蛋白基因(CSN3)的IV外显子为研究对象,采用PCR-RFLP方法对麦洼牦牛的CSN3进行分析,旨在从分子水平揭示κ-酪蛋白在牦牛乳中遗传多样性分布.并以CSN3的IV外显子序列建立牛属κ-酪蛋白的系统发育树,从而分析进化关系.结果表明,牦牛乳中κ-酪蛋白多数以纯合体形式存在,并发现了一个新的变异体GU441771.牛属CSN3的系统发育树分析表明,κ-酪蛋白在进化上存在一定的物种特异性.