Objective To build a literature database that systematically sorts out and integrates related knowledge of Yersinia pestis researches, which will improve the efficiency of future researches on Y.pestis.Methods EndNote X5 software was used as a literature collection tool in this research.Computer languages, including Perl and PHP, were employed to standardize the text data, establish the entity relationship model, code the webpage and build the basic literature database.The tool combination of Apache+PHP+MySQL that is usually used in development of small or medium-scale websites was selected to build a dynamic website.Results and Conclusion The Y.pestis literature database(YPKD) was constructed (accessed by http://101.201.51.148/ypkd/.), from which users can quickly search or browse the required literature, download the required full text, and obtain the latest online information on Y.pestis.The database can serve as a model for establishing literature databases of other crucial pathogens.

Anatomic structure in craniofacial region is very complicated and orthognathic surgery is difficultly performed.Therefore,it is necessary to generate virtual surgical model from CT scan data before operation on personal computer in order to make surgery more accurate.This technique has been increasingly interested in the field of orthognathic surgery both at home and abroad.The sample was scanned with thin-layer CT.CT image data (336 layer,1.0 mm slice thickness) were analyzed with the Mimics software.Simultaneously,three-dimensional model and virtual surgery of the facial cranium were established.The digitized virtual surgical platform of facial cranium was preliminarily created,and three common surgical methods in maxillofacial surgery,i.e.,LeFort Ⅰ osteotomy,mandibular angle osteotomy,and genioplasty,for maxillofacial surgery were simulated.The results showed that the digitized virtual surgical platform of facial cranium could be generated with the Mimics software on personal computer,which provides convenient and quick methods for research,teaching,and clinical surgery.More importantly,it creates theoretical basis for virtual surgical platform which can be widely used on personal computer.

Objective:To investigate the changes in adaptive phenotypes of Yersinia pestis ( Yp) during successive passages in macrophages. Methods:A Yp strain of 201-MI was induced by 50 successive passages of Yp 201 strain in Raw264.7 cells. Phenotypic characteristics of 201 and 201-MI strains were compared by analyzing their survival rates in macrophages, growth curves, biofilm formation abilities, acid and hydrogen peroxide-stress tolerance, and virulence to mammal cells (Raw264.7 and HeLa cells) and mice. Results:Comparing with 201 strain, 201-MI strain showed various phenotypic changes, including higher survival rate in Raw264.7 cells, faster growth in iron-deficient medium, higher tolerance to acid and hydrogen peroxide, decreased biofilm formation ability, and less damages to Raw264.7 and HeLa cells. More-over, 201-MI strain showed decreased virulence to mice in both subcutaneous and intraperitoneal challenges. Preliminary comparative genomics analysis revealed some indel and nonsense mutations in 201-MI strain, which might account for its phenotype changes.Conclusions:After successive passages in macrophages, Yp showed some phenotypic changes, which might reflect its adaptive evolution under the pressure of macrophages. Detailed multi-omics analysis would be of great help to understand the underlying genetic mechanisms of these changes, and the related Yp-macrophage interaction processes as well.

As the demand for high-performance computing continues to grow, traditional computing models are facing unprecedented challenges. Among the many emerging computing technologies, DNA computing has attracted much attention due to its low energy consumption and parallelism. The DNA circuit, which is the basis for DNA computing, is an important technology for the regulation and processing of the molecular information. This review highlights the basic principles of DNA computing, summarizes the latest research progress, and concludes with a discussion of the challenges of DNA computing. Such integrated molecular computing systems are expected to be widely used in the fields of aerospace, information security and defense system.
DNA/genetics*

BACKGROUNDOncofetal protein high-mobility-group AT-hook protein 2 (HMGA2) is reactivated in serous ovarian cancer (SOC) and its overexpression correlates with poor prognosis. To explore the mechanism, we investigated whether HMGA2 could avoid microRNA regulation due to gene truncation or 3' UTR shortening by alternative polyadenylation.

METHODSReal-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to evaluate the abundance of different regions of HMGA2 mRNA in 46 SOC samples. Rapid amplification of cDNA 3' ends (3' RACE) and Southern blotting were used to confirm the shortening of 3' untranslated region (UTR). 5' RACE and Southern blotting were used to prove the mRNA decay.

RESULTSNo significant difference in the ratio of the stable coding region to the fragile region was observed between SOC and control normal fallopian tubes, indicating that the HMGA2 gene is not truncated in SOC. Varying degrees of 3' UTR shortening in SOC samples were observed by comparing the abundance of the proximal region and distal region of the HMGA2 3' UTR. The ratio of the proximal to the distal region of the 3' UTR correlated significantly with expression of the HMGA2 coding region in SOC (r = 0.579, P < 0.01). Moreover, although the abundance of the HMGA2 coding region varied, all samples, including the very low expressed samples, exhibit relatively high levels of the proximal 3' UTR region, suggesting a dynamic decay of HMGA2 mRNA from the 5' end. The shortening of 3' UTR and the decay from the 5' end were confirmed by 3' RACE, 5' RACE and subsequent Southern blotting.

CONCLUSIONHeterogeneous 3' UTR lengths render HMGA2 susceptible to different levels of negative regulation by microRNAs, which represents an important mechanism of HMGA2 reactivation in SOC.

3' Untranslated Regions ; genetics ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; HMGA2 Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction