两种测试方法对DPPH分光光度法测试结果的影响

目的:比较固定反应时间法和动力学监测法的准确性。方法:用固定反应时间法和动力学监测法分别测定维生素C(Vc)、二丁基羟基甲苯(BHT)对二苯代苦味酰自由基(DPPH)的清除作用,通过F检验和t检验来揭示两种方法的差异。结果:通过动力学监测法得到的测试结果更能准确的反映测试样品对DPPH自由基的清除能力。结论:建议在用DPPH分光光度法过程中使用动力学监测法。     

Wing morphometrics as a possible tool for the diagnosis of the Ceratitis fasciventris,C. anonae,C. rosa complex (Diptera,Tephritidae)

Previous attempts to resolve the Ceratitis FAR complex (Ceratitis fasciventris, Ceratitis anonae, Ceratitis rosa, Diptera, Tephritidae) showed contrasting results and revealed the occurrence of five microsatellite genotypic clusters (A, F1, F2, R1, R2). In this paper we explore the potential of wing morphometrics for the diagnosis of FAR morphospecies and genotypic clusters. We considered a set of 227 specimens previously morphologically identified and genotyped at 16 microsatellite loci. Seventeen wing landmarks and 6 wing band areas were used for morphometric analyses. Permutational multivariate analysis of variance detected significant differences both across morphospecies and genotypic clusters (for both males and females). Unconstrained and constrained ordinations did not properly resolve groups corresponding to morphospecies or genotypic clusters. However, posterior group membership probabilities (PGMPs) of the Discriminant Analysis of Principal Components (DAPC) allowed the consistent identification of a relevant proportion of specimens (but with performances differing across morphospecies and genotypic clusters). This study suggests that wing morphometrics and PGMPs might represent a possible tool for the diagnosis of species within the FAR complex. Here, we propose a tentative diagnostic method and provide a first reference library of morphometric measures that might be used for the identification of additional and unidentified FAR specimens.     

Application of 2-D DIGE to formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues

The ability to investigate the proteome of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues can be considered a major recent achievement in the field of clinical proteomics. However, gel-based approaches to the investigation of FFPE tissue proteomes have lagged behind, mainly because of insufficient quality of full-length protein extracts. Here, the 2-D DIGE technology was investigated for applicability to FFPE proteins, for internal reproducibility among replicate FFPE extracts, and for comparability between FFPE and fresh-frozen tissue profiles. The 2-D DIGE patterns obtained upon labeling and electrophoresis of replicate FFPE tissue extracts were highly reproducible, with satisfactory resolution and complexity. Moreover, the implementation of DIGE enabled to highlight and characterize the consistent differences found in the FFPE profiles compared with fresh-frozen profiles, represented by an acidic shift, directly correlated to the protein pI value, and by a reduction in spot signal intensity, directly correlated to molecular weight and percentage of lysine residues. Being constantly and reproducibly present in all FFPE tissue extract replicates at similar extents, these modifications do not appear to hinder the comparative analysis of FFPE tissue extracts by 2-D DIGE, opening the way to its application for the differential proteomic investigation of archival tissue repositories.     

关节镜下多种移植物联合重建膝关节前、后交叉韧带

目的：评估关节镜下膝关节前交叉韧带（ACL）与后交叉韧带（PCL）同时重建的技术和临床效果。方法：自2003年6月～2009年10月,27例病人（28膝）经MRJ检查及关节镜检查证实ACL和PCL均断裂,其中9膝伴内侧副韧带损伤（MCL）,8膝伴后外侧角损伤（PLC）,5膝伴内侧半月板破裂,4膝伴外侧半月板损伤。27例患者于伤后3～10周在关节镜下行膝关节前、后交叉韧带联合重建。结果：本组术后早期均未发生严重并发症。术后随访12-88个月,平均（42．67±3．34）个月,Lysholm膝关节功能评分为78-93分,平均（86．67±5．21）分。国际膝关节文件编制委员会（mDC）综合评定由术前显著异常（D级）28膝,改进为随访时正常（A级）9膝、接近正常（B级）16膝、异常（C级）3膝。结论：关节镜下膝关节前交叉韧带（ACL）与后交叉韧带（PCL）同时重建创伤小、手术操作精细,术后膝关节功能恢复满意。     

关节镜下多种移植物联合重建膝关节前、后交叉韧带

目的:评估关节镜下膝关节前交叉韧带(ACL)与后交叉韧带(PCL)同时重建的技术和临床效果。方法:自2003年6月～2009年10月,27例病人(28膝)经MRI检查及关节镜检查证实ACL和PCL均断裂,其中9膝伴内侧副韧带损伤(MCL),8膝伴后外侧角损伤(PLC),5膝伴内侧半月板破裂,4膝伴外侧半月板损伤。27例患者于伤后3～10周在关节镜下行膝关节前、后交叉韧带联合重建。结果:本组术后早期均未发生严重并发症。术后随访12～88个月,平均(42.67±3.34)个月,Lysholm膝关节功能评分为78～93分,平均(86.67±5.21)分。国际膝关节文件编制委员会(IKDC)综合评定由术前显著异常(D级)28膝,改进为随访时正常(A级)9膝、接近正常(B级)16膝、异常(C级)3膝。结论:关节镜下膝关节前交叉韧带(ACL)与后交叉韧带(PCL)同时重建创伤小、手术操作精细,术后膝关节功能恢复满意。     

Sox9 neural crest determinant gene controls patterning and closure of the posterior frontal cranial suture

Cranial suture development involves a complex interaction of genes and tissues derived from neural crest cells (NCC) and paraxial mesoderm. In mice, the posterior frontal (PF) suture closes during the first month of life while other sutures remain patent throughout the life of the animal. Given the unique NCC origin of PF suture complex (analogous to metopic suture in humans), we performed quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry to study the expression pattern of the NCC determinant gene Sox9 and select markers of extracellular matrix. Our results indicated a unique up-regulated expression of Sox9, a regulator of chondrogenesis, during initiation of PF suture closure, along with the expression of specific cartilage markers (Type II Collagen and Type X Collagen), as well as cartilage tissue formation in the PF suture. This process was followed by expression of bone markers (Type I Collagen and Osteocalcin), suggesting endochondral ossification. Moreover, we studied the effect of haploinsufficiency of the NCC determinant gene Sox9 in the NCC derived PF suture complex. A decrease in dosage of Sox9 by haploinsufficiency in NCC-derived tissues resulted in delayed PF suture closure. These results demonstrate a unique development of the PF suture complex and the role of Sox9 as an important contributor to timely and proper closure of the PF suture through endochondral ossification.     

A rat model of bone cancer pain induced by intra-tibia inoculation of Walker 256 mammary gland carcinoma cells

This study described a modified rat model of bone cancer pain. Syngeneic Walker 256 mammary gland carcinoma cells were injected into the tibia medullary cavity via intercondylar eminence. Series of tests were carried out including bone radiology, bone histology, ambulatory pain, thermal hyperalgesia, mechanical allodynia, weight bearing ability, and electrophysiological recording from primary afferent fibers. The rats inoculated with carcinoma cells showed significant ambulatory pain, mechanical allodynia, and reduction in weight bearing, as well as increased incidence of spontaneous activity in Abeta fibers in affected limb, whereas PBS (vehicle) or heat-killed cells (sham) injected rats showed no significant difference in comparison to normal rats. The pain hypersensitive behaviors were aggravated with time and destruction of bone. Interestingly, mechanical allodynia was also observed in the contralateral limb, indicating the involvement of 'mirror image' pain in bone cancer pain. In summary, the present study provided a useful and easily established rat model of bone cancer pain which will contribute to further study of the mechanisms underlying cancer pain.     

Coordinate transformations for eye and arm movements in the brain

Recent work on the coding of spatial information in the brain has significantly advanced our knowledge of sensory to motor transformations on several fronts. The encoding of information referenced to the retina (eye-centered) but modulated by eye position, called a gain field representation, has proved to be very common throughout parietal and occipital cortex. The use of an eye-centered representation as a working memory of spatial location is problematic if the eyes move during the memory period. Details regarding the manner in which the brain solves this problem are beginning to emerge. Finally, the discovery of eye-centered representations of ongoing or intended arm movements has changed the way we think about the order of operations in the sensory to motor coordinate transformation.     

Fruit load modulates flowering-related gene expression in buds of alternate-bearing ‘Moncada’ mandarin

Background and Aims

Gene determination of flowering is the result of complex interactions involving both promoters and inhibitors. In this study, the expression of flowering-related genes at the meristem level in alternate-bearing citrus trees is analysed, together with the interplay between buds and leaves in the determination of flowering.

Methods

First defruiting experiments were performed to manipulate blossoming intensity in ‘Moncada’ mandarin, Citrus clementina. Further defoliation was performed to elucidate the role leaves play in the flowering process. In both cases, the activity of flowering-related genes was investigated at the flower induction (November) and differentiation (February) stages.

Key Results

Study of the expression pattern of flowering-genes in buds from on (fully loaded) and off (without fruits) trees revealed that homologues of FLOWERING LOCUS T (CiFT), TWIN SISTER OF FT (TSF), APETALA1 (CsAP1) and LEAFY (CsLFY) were negatively affected by fruit load. CiFT and TSF activities showed a marked increase in buds from off trees through the study period (ten-fold in November). By contrast, expression of the homologues of the flowering inhibitors of TERMINAL FLOWER 1 (CsTFL), TERMINAL FLOWER 2 (TFL2) and FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) was generally lower in off trees. Regarding floral identity genes, the increase in CsAP1 expression in off trees was much greater in buds than in leaves, and significant variations in CsLFY expression (approx. 20 %) were found only in February. Defoliation experiments further revealed that the absence of leaves completely abolished blossoming and severely affected the expression of most of the flowering-related genes, particularly decreasing the activity of floral promoters and of CsAP1 at the induction stage.

Conclusions

These results suggest that the presence of fruit affects flowering by greatly altering gene-expression not only at the leaf but also at the meristem level. Although leaves are required for flowering to occur, their absence strongly affects the activity of floral promoters and identity genes.