CRIM1, a novel gene encoding a cysteine-rich repeat protein, is developmentally regulated and implicated in vertebrate CNS development and organogenesis

Development of the vertebrate central nervous system is thought to be controlled by intricate cell-cell interactions and spatio-temporally regulated gene expressions. The details of these processes are still not fully understood. We have isolated a novel vertebrate gene, CRIM1/Crim1, in human and mouse. Human CRIM1 maps to chromosome 2p21 close to the Spastic Paraplegia 4 locus. Crim1 is expressed in the notochord, somites, floor plate, early motor neurons and interneuron subpopulations within the developing spinal cord. CRIM1 appears to be evolutionarily conserved and encodes a putative transmembrane protein containing an IGF-binding protein motif and multiple cysteine-rich repeats similar to those in the BMP-associating chordin and sog proteins. Our results suggest a role for CRIM1/Crim1 in CNS development possibly via growth factor binding.     

Cytokinesis and nodal anatomy in the charophycean green algaChara zeylanica

Summary Cell plate formation inChara zeylanica was compared with recent models of cytokinesis in higher plants in order to gain insight into the evolutionary origin of plant cytokinetic processes. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveals that while cytokinesis inC. zeylanica bears many features in common with that in higher plants, there are significant differences. Unlike that in higher plants, cytokinesis inC. zeylanica begins with a congregation of smooth membrane tubules that are closely associated with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi membranes. Mitochondria and other organelles excluded by the phragmoplast in higher plants are present as well. Unlike in higher plants, phragmoplast microtubules persist throughout cytokinesis inC. zeylanica, and the cell plate generally forms across the whole cell at once, though development is patchy, due to small regions developing at different rates; the ends of the plate form last. By identifying aspects of cytokinesis that are different inC. zeylanica and plants, our study indicates which cytokinetic features are more likely to be derived, and which are more likely to be ancestral. In addition, we demonstrated that all nodal cells ofC. zeylanica are interconnected via plasmodesmata, lending support to the idea that, whileChara spp. are generally considered to be filamentous organisms, nodal regions may be thought of as meristemlike tissues.Abbreviations HPF high-pressure freezing - KFe potassium ferricyanide - SCF stepwise chemical fixation - TEM transmission electron microscopy     

Effect of disturbed photoperiod on the surface structures of ripening Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seeds

 The role of disturbed photoperiod on the developing surface layers of ripening Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seeds was studied from August 14 to October 30. The embryo sizes of both the light-treated and the control seeds were examined by the X-ray method prior to germination tests. The anatomical details of resin-embedded seeds were examined by fluorescence and light microscopy. The timing of the ripening process of the surface structures was described and documented. The greatest anatomical changes in the ripening seeds occurred in the sarcotesta and in the nucellar layers. Maturation of the surface structures was essentially slower than could have been interpreted by the size of the embryo and responded clearly to the disturbance of photoperiod. Accumulation of phenolic substances and degeneration of cells, particularly at the chalazal region, advanced faster in the light-treated than in the control seeds up to mid-September. The ripening effect of the altered photoperiod diminished, however, after mid-September. This was also confirmed by the brown colour of the seed coat getting darker only in the control seeds at the end of the test period. Consequently, fully ripe structures were first found about a fortnight earlier in the control than in the light-treated seeds. The coincidental advancement of the anatomical potential examined by the X-ray method supported the role of the surface structures on the anatomical maturity of pine seeds and the timing of cone collecting. Received: 26 January 1998 / Accepted: 30 March 1998     

Comparison of plate count agar and R2A medium for enumeration of heterotrophic bacteria in natural mineral water

In order to recover as many viable bacteria as possible from natural mineral water, in this study we have compared the counts obtained with the standard method (pour plate procedure with Plate Count Agar (PCA)) and counts with alternative test methods (PCA/spread plates, R2A medium/pour plates and R2A medium/spread plates). The results showed that counts with R2A medium/spread plates at 22°C and after a 7-day incubation period were more than 343% higher than those obtained with PCA/pour plate method. At 37°C and after a 3-day incubation period, the R2A pour plate technique gave counts about 368% greater than for the standard method. Moreover, while Pseudomonas, Comamonas and Acinetobacter species were isolated both from PCA and R2A medium, Flavobacterium spp. and Arthrobacter spp. were isolated only from R2A medium. For its higher productivity, R2A medium should be recommended for heterotrophic plate counts in natural mineral water.     

锁定钢板与半肩关节置换治疗老年肱骨近端骨折疗效比较

目的:比较锁定钢板(Locking plate,LP)与半肩关节置换(semi-shoulder arthroplasty,SSA)治疗老年肱骨近端NeerⅢ、Ⅳ型骨折临床疗效。方法:对我院骨科2009年5月至2013年5月收治的61例老年肱骨近端NeerⅢ、Ⅳ型骨折的患者资料进行回顾性分析,男性18例,女性43例,年龄60~84岁,平均69.3岁。其中采用LP治疗者40例,采用SSA治疗者21例,观察两组患者的手术时间、失血量、Neer评分情况,记录手术并发症情况,并进行统计学比较。结果:所有患者均获得随访,平均随访时间14.5个月(12~20个月)。LP组手术时间(105.6±20.4 min vs 80.6±18.2 min,t=2.650,P=0.01)多于SSA组,两组在手术出血量(188.5±25.2 ml vs 200.5±31.6 m L,t=1.666,P=0.1)、Neer评分优良率(92.5%vs 90.5%,X2=0.075,P=0.784)和并发症发生率(4.8%vs12.5%,X2=1.351,P=0.245)无明显差异。结论:在老年肱骨近端NeerⅢ、Ⅳ型骨折的治疗上,SSA手术时间短,但手术并发症发生率以及疗效优良率与LP相似,临床应根据病情及需要灵活选择手术方式。