The use of basis functions in modelling joint articular surfaces: application to the knee joint

This article introduces a new method to represent bone surface geometry for simulations of joint contact. The method uses the inner product of two basis functions to provide a mathematical representation of the joint surfaces. This method guarantees a continuous transition in the direction of the surface normals, an important property for computation of joint contact. Our formulation handles experimental data that are not evenly distributed, a common characteristic of digitized data of musculoskeletal morphologies. The method makes it possible to represent highly curved surfaces, which are encountered in many anatomical structures. The accuracy of this method is demonstrated by modeling the human knee joint. The mean relative percentage error in the representation of the patellar track surface was 0.25% (range 0-1.56%) which corresponded to an absolute error of 0.17mm (range 0-0.16mm).     

The synthesis of mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) by cultured, symbiotic dinoflagellates

We tested the hypothesis that there is a relation between phylotypes (phylogenetic types, as determined by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and partial sequence analysis of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene (SSUrDNA)) and the synthesis of mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) by symbiotic dinoflagellates under the influence of ultraviolet radiation (UV-B/A) and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). We exposed 27 isolates of symbiotic dinoflagellates simultaneously to UV-B/A and PAR, and subsequently determined the MAAs present in cell extracts and in the media. The algae used included 24 isolates of Symbiodinium spp. originating from jellyfishes, sea anemones, zoanthids, scleractinians, octocorals, and bivalves, and three others in the genera Gymnodinium, Gloeodinium and Amphidinium from a jellyfish, an hydrocoral and a flatworm, respectively. In this study, all of the phylotype A Symbiodinium spp. synthesized up to three identified MAAs. None of the 11 cultured phylotypes B and C Symbiodinium spp. synthesized MAAs. The three non-Symbiodinium symbionts also synthesized up to three MAAs. The results support a conclusion that phylotype A Symbiodinium spp. have a high predilection for the synthesis of MAAs, while phylotypes B and C do not. Synthesis of MAAs by symbiotic dinoflagellates in culture does not appear to relate directly to depths or to the UV exposure regimes from which the consortia were collected.     

CC to TT mutation in the mitochondrial DNA of normal skin: relationship to ultraviolet light exposure

We have previously reported that ultraviolet (UV)-specific (CC to TT) mutations in p53 gene can be detected in normal skin. This, however, cannot be used as a cumulative marker of UV exposure, since cells with the p53 mutation acquire a clonal growth advantage. Moreover, a large skin biopsy is necessary for each assay. In order to circumvent these problems, we have measured mitochondrial (Mt) DNA mutations; there are more than 1000 copies of the Mt genome per cell, and Mt genes are not directly involved in cell growth. We have established a sensitive allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR) assay capable of detecting one CC to TT mutation in Mt DNA among 10(7) wild-type genes using a mismatch allele-specific primer. With this assay, we found no mutation-positive samples from internal non-exposed tissue (stomach, colon, and blood) (0/50). In contrast, 17 out of 111 skin samples were positive: the mutation frequency in positive samples was around 10(7)-10(-6) (10-100 copies of mutant in 10(8) wild-type Mt DNA). In normal skin tissue, the prevalence of positive samples was higher in those from exposed sites (13/51) than in those from less-exposed sites (1/26) (p<0.05). However, a quantitative correlation between sunlight exposure and the accumulation of mutations was not found. We conclude that the UV exposure-associated CC to TT mutation in Mt DNA can be detected in normal skin, but that further studies are required to develop this as a quantitative marker for UV exposure.     

小鼠卵母细胞体外成熟不同阶段对钙的依赖性

To determine the role of calcium and calmodulin in mouse oocyte maturation, we examined the distribution of intracellular calcium during mouse oocyte maturation by using Mira Cal Imaging System. The calcium was present homogeneously in oocytes with intact germinal vesicle (GV) and accumulated around the nuclear region after GV breakdown(GVBD). The high level of calcium disappeared 6 hours later after GVBD. In the presence of 50 mumol/L BAPTA/AM, we failed to observe this phenomena. All eggs treated with 20 mumol/L W7, an antagonist of calmodulin, 50 mumol/L BAPTA/AM, a calcium chelator, could not develop to metaphase II (MII), although GVBD was not affected. We also detected the activity of a cytoplasmic maturation-promoting factor (MPF). W7 and BAPTA/AM had no effects on the rise of MPF activity in the course of maturation. We suggest that compartment distribution of calcium around nuclear region plays an important role in mouse oocyte maturation.     

伏令夏橙与宁波金柑属间体细胞杂种变异研究

伏令夏橙（Ｃｉｔｒｕｓｓｉｎｅｎｓｉｓ（Ｌ．）Ｏｓｂｅｃｋ）＋宁波金柑（ＦｏｒｔｕｎｅｌａｃｒａｓｉｆｏｌｉａＳｗｉｎｇｌｅ）属间体细胞杂种在田间生长６年,树势较弱,新梢经常枯死,树冠参差不齐。染色体检查发现,除了四倍体之外,还存在其它倍性的细胞,呈嵌合体状态。酯酶同工酶图谱上,多数单株出现一条双亲没有的新带。ＲＡＰＤ分析结果表明,部分植株丢失了亲本的标记带型,表现出遗传上的不稳定性     

用膨胀床金属亲和层析从淡菜匀浆液中分离纯化纤维素酶

研究了一种新的膨胀床金属亲和层析技术,即将金属亲和层析结合膨胀床层析,直接从淡菜(Blue mussel)匀浆液中纯化纤维素酶。研究了金属亲和配基种类、pH、离子强度及流速对酶吸附和解吸的影响,确定了酶洗脱条件和介质再生条件。一步可纯化纤维素酶194倍,酶收率达82%。本方法不需要预先去除细胞碎片,而且处理速率比传统层析技术高3～4倍。     

ADA-LacZ融合基因直接注射导入小鼠皮肤组织后的表达

将ADA－LacZ融合基因经直接注射导入小鼠皮肤组织,用注射点处的皮肤组织制作冰冻切片,经组织化学方法显示：此融合基因可在皮肤成纤维细胞中表达一种具有腺苷脱氨酶（ADA）和β-半乳糖昔酶（β-gal）双重酶活性的融合蛋白,这种直接将融合基因导入体内进行表达的方式．为在基因治疗和基因疫苗研究中探索一条新的简便可行的外源基因在体内表达的途径,提供了有益的实验依据。