Carboxysomes are extremely efficient microcompartments committed to CO2 fixation due to tailored CO2-concentrating mechanism (CCM). In cyanobacteria and some chemoautotrophs, carboxysomes as organelle-like microbodies encapsulate ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) and carbonic anhydrase (CA). Together with active inorganic carbon uptake transporters, carboxysomes accumulate HCO3(-) in the cytoplasm, leading to high efficiency of carbon fixation. Based on the elucidation of structures and functionalities, heterologous production of carboxysomes has been achieved so far. In fact, the genes encoding either vacant carboxysome shell or only interior components have been characterized. This review summarizes the discovery along with types, showcases molecular structures and roles of carboxysomes in CCM, and presents their broad applications in metabolic engineering.
Biological Transport ; Carbon ; metabolism ; Carbon Cycle ; Carbon Dioxide ; metabolism ; Cyanobacteria ; metabolism ; Metabolic Engineering

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of parathyroid hormone on expression of matrix GLA protein (MGP) in ovariectomized SD rats and primary osteoblast,and to study the role of MGP on the possible mechanism of postmenopausal osteoporosis.MethodsThirty-six Sprague-Dawley female rats were allocated into 3 groups,12 in each:sham operation group,ovariectomized group( OVX group),ovariectomized and parathyroid hormone treatment group.Animals in the parathyroid hormone group were injected parathyroid hormone (20 μg/kg,three times a week for 12 weeks) three weeks after ovariectomy.All rats were sacrificed after 18 weeks.Urine and serum were collected every three weeks.Lumbar vertebral bones were observed by immunohistochemistry.Bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar vertebra of rats was determined.The content of MGP in serum and urine was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Expression of undercarboxylated Matrix GLA Protein (ucMGP) was detected by immunochistochemistry.Relative quantification of MGP mRNA expression in lumbar vertebra bone was detected by Fluorescent real-time quantitative polymerause chain reaction.Results ( 1 ) 18 weeks after ovariectomy,BMD of lumbar vertebra in OVX group was lower than those in sham group and parathyroid hormone group significantly ( P＜0.05 ).(2) The content of MGP in serum and urine was dynamic variation after treatment hy parathyroid hormone,and it was significant compared with OVX group ( P＜0.05 ).( 3 ) Immunohistochemical localization of ucMGP was seen in lumbar vertebra in OVX group.(4) Relative quantification of MGP mRNA expression in lumbar vertebra in OVX group was increased significantly compared with other groups ( P＜0.01 ).( 5 ) parathyroid hormone ( 1-34 ) in 10-7mol/L,10-8mol/L,10-9 mol/L up-regulated MGP mRNA expression in primary osteoblasts about 6.78,5.31,and 2.23 times than control respectively.It was in a dose-dependent manner.ConclusionThe effect of parathyroid hormone on the expression of matrix gla protein may play an important role in mechanism of postmenopausal osteoporosis

Objective To observe the expression of matrix gla protein(MGP) mRNA in primary osteoblasts of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat in vitro after treatment with anti-osteoporosis agents [vitamin K2,PTH,1,25 (OH)2D3,and alendronate],and to investigate the potential role of MGP in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis.Methods Primary osteoblasts(OBs) were derived from sequential trypsin/collagenase-digested calvaria isolated from newborn SD rat (postnastal day 1-3).OBs of the second generation were identified by Van Gieson collagen staining,alkaline phosphatase(ALP) staining and calcified nodules staining.OBs of the fourth generation were selected to interfere with vitamin K2,PTH,1,25 (OH)2D3,and alendronate,then cultured for 24 h in mediums which contained various concentrations of vitamin K2 (10-7,10-6,and 10-5 mol/L),PTH (10-9,10-8,and 10-7 mol/L),1,25 (OH) 2D3(10-10,10-9,and 10-8mol/L),alendronate(10-6,10-5,and 10-4mol/L).After being cultured for 24 h,total RNA was extracted and examined by real-time quantitative RT-PCR.Results The primary cultured cells had typical morphological characters of osteoblast.van Gieson collagen staining,ALP staining,and calcified nodules staining were all positive.Vitamin K2,PTH,1,25 (OH)2D3,and alendronate could modulate the expression of MGP mRNA in osteoblasts in a dose-dependent fashion.MGP mRNA expressions were 2.56-fold,2.12-fold,and 1.57-fold with 10-5,10-6,and 10-7 mol/L of vitamin K2 treatment,respectively.The expressions were 6.78-fold,5.31-fold,and 2.23-fold with 10-7,10-8,and 10-9mol/L of PTH(1-34) treatment,8.93-fold,6.95-fold,and 3.47-fold with 10-8 10-9,and 10-10mol/L of 1,25 (OH)2D3 treatment,and 3.47-fold,2.49-fold,and 1.98-fold with 10-4,10-5,and 10-6mol/L of alendronate treatment.Conclusion Vitamin K2,PTH,1,25 (OH)2D3,and alendronate all canregulate MGP mRNA expression in calvarial osteoblasts in a dose-dependent manner.MGP seems to be a potent target of anti-osteoporosis agents,and involved in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis.

Objective: To understand the depressive disorders prevalence and related risk factors among new drug users in a male drug rehabilitation center. Methods: The cross-sectional study was used. A total of 250 new drug users from a male drug rehabilitation center were recruited during March, 2017. The drug users who only use new type of drugs single or use traditional drugs at the same time were collected as the new drug users. Their general information and drug-related information were collected by self-made questionnaire, and depressive disorders and sleep quality information were collected by the self-reported Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and the self-reported Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Questionnaire respectively. Logistic regression test was used to establish associations between variables. Results: Of all 250 drug users, the mean age (P₂₅, P₇₅) was 30 (26, 35) years old, and 32.8% (82) had the depressive disorders. The individuals taking drug dose over 0.4 g daily before entering drug rehabilitation center had significantly more risk of the depressive disorders for 3.18 (1.71-5.90) than those not over 0.4 g daily.The individuals who bad sleep quality had significantly more risk of the depressive disorders for 6.07 (95%CI:3.31-11.12) than those had good sleep quality.The individuals who were depressive patients before the first drug use for 2.39 (95%CI: 1.12-5.10) than those were not depressive patients before the first drug use. Conclusion There were a high rate of the depressive disorders among new drug users in the rehabilitation center; In addition, several risk factors including the individuals taking drug dose over 0.4 g daily and bad sleep quality, history of the depressive disorders were negatively associated with depressive disorders.

Objective To investigate the dynamic changes of three types of anti-poliovirus neutralizing antibodies and anti-hepatitis A virus (HAV) IgG antibody in children who were immunized with inactivated enterovirus 71 (EV71) vaccine (human diploid cell).Methods Serum samples were collected from the subjects immunized with inactivated EV71 vaccine.Neutralizing antibodies against EV71 and poliovirus were detected by micro-cytopathic effect neutralization test.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect IgG antibody against HAV.Results The geometric mean titers (GMTs) of anti-EV71 neutralizing antibody increased to 4.85 following the first-dose injection of inactivated EV71 vaccine.A significant increase of GMTs (up to 64.37) could be observed 28 days after the second-dose vaccination.Meanwhile, results of the dynamic monitor showed that there were slight fluctuations in the neutralizing antibodies against three types of poliovirus on day 28 (28 days after the first-dose vaccination) compared with those on day 0 (before vaccination) (P<0.05);types Ⅰ and Ⅲ anti-poliovirus neutralizing antibodies on day 56 (28 days after the second-dose vaccination) remained slightly different from those on day 0 (P<0.05), but type Ⅱ anti-poliovirus neutralizing antibody on day 56 had restored to normal level (P>0.05).The level of anti-HAV IgG antibody was stable and no significant difference was found during the observation period (P>0.05).Conclusion This study shows that inactivated EV71 vaccine has no impact on anti-HAV IgG antibody in Children during the two-dose vaccination and in anti-EV71 antibody-producing period, but has slight influence on the anti-poliovirus antibodies.In general, changes in antibody profile do not affect the clinical efficacy of immune response.

Objective To investigate the value of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) in the diagnosis and risk assessment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).Methods A cross-sectional study and multistage stratified random sampling method were performed in epidemiological survey.According to inclusion and exclusion criteria,a total of 3 312 individuals were enrolled and divided into NAFLD group (913 cases) and non-NAFLD group (2 399 cases).The serum lipid levels were compared between the two groups.Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was performed to evaluate the value of HDL-C in the diagnosis of NAFLD.The binary logistic regression models were established based on HDL-C level.The differences in liver function indexes were compared among the research objects with different HDL-C levels.T test and MannWhitney U test were performed for statistical analysis.Results The serum levels of total cholesterol,triglyceride and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) of NAFLD group were all higher than those of non-NAFLD group ((5.24 ±0.92) mmol/L vs.(4.98 ±0.92) mmol/L,(1.95 ± 1.41) mmol/L vs.(1.13 ± 0.68) mmol/L,(3.31 ± 0.84) mmol/L vs.(3.09 ± 0.84) mmol/L),and the differences were statistically significant (t =-7.29,-22.38 and-6.84,all P ＜ 0.01).However the serum HDL-C level of NAFLD group was lower than that of non-NAFLD group((1.30 ±0.33) mmol/L vs.(1.64 ±0.40) mmol/L),and the difference was statistically significant (t =24.93,P ＜0.01).The incidence of hypercholesterolemia,hypertriglyceridemia,hypo-high-density lipoprotein cholesterolemia and hyper-low-density lipoprotein cholesterolemia of NAFLD group was 48.0％ (438/913),44.8％ (409/913),31.0％ (283/913) and 82.8％ (756/913),respectively,which were significantly higher than that of non-NAFLD group (36.8％,882/2 399;13.2％,317/2 399;10.5％,251/2 399;71.8％,1 723/2 399),and the differences were statistically significant (x2 =34.65,385.43,206.18 and 42.37,all P ＜ 0.01).Using the cut-off values of HDL-C ≤ 1.66 mmol/L in female and ≤ 1.33 mmol/L in male,the area under curve (AUC) values for NAFLD diagnosis were 0.720 (95％ confidence interval (CI) 0.693 to 0.747) and 0.708 (95％ CI 0.679 to 0.737),respectively,the sensitivity was 79.1％ and 76.6％,and the specificity was 55.0％ and 54.6％.The results of binary logistic regression models based on HDL-C level indicated that prevalence of NAFLD in female with low HDL-C was 4.584 times (95％ CI 3.530 to 5.940,P ＜0.01) higher than that in female with high HDL-C;the prevalence of NAFLD in male with low HDL-C was 3.898 times (95％ CI 3.020 to 5.030,P ＜0.01) higher than that of male with high HDL-C.The alanine aminotransferase (ALT),aspartate transaminase (AST),gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels of low HDL-C group were all higher than those of high HDL-C group (20.10 U/L,14.40 U/L to 29.40 U/L vs.16.80 U/L,12.70 U/L to 23.00U/L;19.20 U/L,16.00 U/Lto23.70 U/Lvs.19.00 U/L,16.00 U/Lto22.17 U/L;22.00 U/L,14.00 U/L to34.00 U/L vs.15.00 U/L,11.00 U/L to 23.00 U/L and 71.00 U/L,59.00 U/L to 85.00 U/L vs.66.00 U/L,55.00 U/L to 82.00 U/L),and the differences were statistically significant (Z =-10.53,-2.20,-14.19 and-5.87,all P＜0.05).Conclusion The serum HDL-C level is negatively correlated with the risk of NAFLD level,and the NAFLD risk of individuals with low HDL-C level is significantly higher than individuals with high HDL-C level.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the immune-protective effect of Japan Schistosoma (Chinese mainland strain) 23 kD membrane protein-heat shock protein (SjC23-Hsp70) DNA vaccine plus adjuvantinduced interleukin-12 (IL-12) plasmid DNA on Schistosoma japonicum infection in water buffalos. METHODS: Forty-five health water buffalos (8-10 months old) in non-endemic area of schistosomiasis were randomly assigned into group A (SjC23-Hsp70+IL-12, 300 μg), group B (SjC23+IL-12, 300 μg) and group C (pVAX+IL-12, 300 μg), 15 in each group. Each buffalo was immuned by shoulder intramuscular injection for 3 times, at an interval of 28 days. Twenty-eight days after the last immunization, each buffalo was infected with 1000 Japan cercariae of Schistosoma. Fecal examinations were conducted 2 days and 1 day before the perfusion, and on the day of perfusion. The number of hatching miracidia and eggs per gram feces was recorded. Fifty-six days after the infection, the buffalos were sacrificed and perfused via the descending aorta. The recovered adult worms and eggs in the liver tissue were counted. RESULTS: We compared group A and B with group C: the estrogen reduction rate was 45.7% and 26.61%; bug reduction rate was 44.51% and 25.84%; the fecal egg reduction rate was 41.1% and 31.63%; the miracidium reduction rate was 48.11% and 38.07%; and the liver egg reduction rate was 43.39% and 31.95%. The above rates in group A were higher than those in group B (P<0.05). CONCLUSION SjC23-Hsp70 DNA vaccine combined with IL-12 may have a significant immunoprotective effect on buffalos.
Animals ; Antigens, Helminth ; immunology ; Buffaloes ; Cattle ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Helminth Proteins ; immunology ; Immunization ; methods ; Interleukin-12 ; genetics ; immunology ; Membrane Proteins ; immunology ; Schistosomiasis japonica ; immunology ; prevention & control ; veterinary ; Vaccines, DNA ; administration & dosage ; immunology ; Vaccines, Synthetic ; immunology

Objective:To analyze the effectiveness and immunogenicity of enterovirus-A71(EV-A71) vaccine in immunization program.Methods:A cohort study was conducted in immunization clinics in Jing’an district in Shanghai from October to December 2017. Children who received EV-A71 vaccine based on a 2-dose schedule (on day 0 and day 30) were enrolled as vaccine group and those who received no EV-A71 vaccine were enrolled as control group. After 1-year follow-up, the effectiveness and neutralizing antibody level and the positive results of antibody immunogenicity in vaccine group were analyzed.Results:A total of 3 018 children aged 8-20 months were enrolled, in whom 1 211 were in vaccine group and 1 807 were in control group. The vaccine effectiveness was 100% against EV-A71-associated hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) indicated by 1 year follow-up (95 %CI: -66.99%-100.00%). The geometric mean titer of neutralizing antibody (GMT) was 41.76 (95 %CI: 35.60-49.34) at day 60 and 28.44(95 %CI: 23.59-34.54) at day 365 in 124 children in vaccine group. Conclusions:In children, EV-A71 vaccine elicited EV-A71-specific immune response. Less EV-A71-associated HFMD cases have been observed, further observation is needed.