Strategies for the effective identification of remotely related sequences in multiple PSSM search approach

Searches using position specific scoring matrices (PSSMs) have been commonly used in remote homology detection procedures such as PSI-BLAST and RPS-BLAST. A PSSM is generated typically using one of the sequences of a family as the reference sequence. In the case of PSI-BLAST searches the reference sequence is same as the query. Recently we have shown that searches against the database of multiple family-profiles, with each one of the members of the family used as a reference sequence, are more effective than searches against the classical database of single family-profiles. Despite relatively a better overall performance when compared with common sequence-profile matching procedures, searches against the multiple family-profiles database result in a few false positives and false negatives. Here we show that profile length and divergence of sequences used in the construction of a PSSM have major influence on the performance of multiple profile based search approach. We also identify that a simple parameter defined by the number of PSSMs corresponding to a family that is hit, for a query, divided by the total number of PSSMs in the family can distinguish effectively the true positives from the false positives in the multiple profiles search approach.     

Prediction of folding transition-state position (betaT) of small, two-state proteins from local secondary structure content

Folding kinetics of proteins is governed by the free energy and position of transition states. But attempts to predict the position of folding transition state on reaction pathway from protein structure have been met with only limited success, unlike the folding-rate prediction. Here, we find that the folding transition-state position is related to the secondary structure content of native two-state proteins. We present a simple method for predicting the transition-state position from their alpha-helix, turn and polyproline secondary structures. The method achieves 81% correlation with experiment over 24 small, two-state proteins, suggesting that the local secondary structure content, especially for content of alpha-helix, is a determinant of the solvent accessibility of the transition state ensemble and size of folding nucleus.     

不同规模城镇的扩展过程分析——以北京为例

基于遥感和地理信息系统技术,利用Landsat系列遥感图像的解译成果,分析了北京地区1984～2002年不同规模城镇的扩展过程。研究表明,（1）北京近18a来,各区县城镇规模对其扩展度具有较大的正面影响,且随着城市化的进程其影响程度日益增长。（2）北京近18a来,各区县的城镇用地的扩展强度是以城区为中心,四周辐射逐渐变慢,且对扩展度起到重要作用的是空间位置和地形条件,也就是说地形条件越趋向于平原,空间位置越接近于市中心,城镇用地扩展机会将越大。（3）北京近18a来,大部分区（县）城镇用地不断向外扩张,迅速侵占、同化周边其他土地利用类型（以农业用地、草地、其他用地为主）,原有城镇扩展迅速,城镇分布局部集中,范围也不断扩大。     

Comparison of rectal and vaginal temperature daily rhythm in dogs (Canis familiaris) under different photoperiod

To investigate the daily rhythm of rectal and vaginal temperature, we used six mongrel dogs with a mean body weight of 15±3 kg, aged between 2 and 3 years old. Rectal and vaginal temperatures were recorded every 3 h over 48-h period during three different lighting regimes: natural light/dark (L/D) cycle (sunrise 06:25, sunset 17:05), constant light (L/L) and constant darkness (D/D). A daily rhythm of rectal temperature was observed in both days of monitoring in all experimental conditions. Vaginal temperature showed a daily rhythmicity in L/D and D/D cycle. During the L/L cycle, daily rhythm was disrupted. Rhythmic parameters (MESOR, amplitude, acrophase and robustness) did not change between the different photoperiod and the site of temperature collection. In conclusion, the monitoring of vaginal temperature can be considered a valid alternative to the monitoring of body temperature as well as rectal temperature under natural lighting conditions in canine medicine.     

不同产地气象因子对宁夏枸杞果实糖分积累的影响

以‘宁杞1号’枸杞为材料,采用高效液相色谱技术,测定不同产地(宁夏银川、甘肃白银和青海德令哈)不同发育时期宁夏枸杞果实中的糖分(果糖、葡萄糖、蔗糖和淀粉)含量,同时对不同产地果实发育期间的气象因子进行监测,探讨主要气象因子对枸杞果实糖分积累的影响。结果表明:(1)在宁夏枸杞果实发育期内,不同产区平均温度和昼夜温差均为银川白银德令哈的变化趋势,平均光照强度为银川白银德令哈。(2)3个产区‘宁杞1号’枸杞的果实发育过程中均以积累己糖(葡萄糖和果糖)为主,蔗糖和淀粉含量很少;成熟果实中己糖含量为德令哈银川白银。(3)影响‘宁杞1号’枸杞果实己糖积累的气象因子在银川产区主要是平均温度、白天均温和平均温差,在白银产区主要是平均温差,白天温度和平均光强也有一定影响,而在德令哈产区主要是平均温差、平均光强和白天均温。研究认为,宁夏枸杞果实发育期间银川产区较高的平均温度和昼夜温差与德令哈产区较强的平均光强和较长的光照时数均有利于枸杞果实己糖积累,而白银产区较大的相对湿度和较弱的光强均成为枸杞果实糖分积累的主要限制因子。     

中国仓鼠卵巢细胞及其表达载体的改造

哺乳动物细胞因其表达的外源蛋白最接近天然构象,已成为生产重组蛋白药物的理想系统。其中,中国仓鼠卵巢细胞（CHO）是目前最为常用的表达系统,但这种系统也存在很多缺点,如大规模培养中表达量低、生产成本高、细胞无限度增殖及细胞凋亡等。目前,通过优化培养基配方和培养条件很难从根本上解决上述问题,必须从整个表达系统着手进行改造,其中CHO细胞本身和表达载体的改造最为关键。     

Epimuscular myofascial force transmission between antagonistic and synergistic muscles can explain movement limitation in spastic paresis

Details and concepts of intramuscular, extramuscular and intermuscular myofascial force transmission are reviewed. Some new experimental data are added regarding myofascial force transmission between antagonistic muscles across the interosseal membrane of the lower hind limb of the rat. Combined with other result presented in this issue, it can be concluded that myofascial force transmission occurs between all muscles within a limb segment. This means that force generated within sarcomeres of an antagonistic muscle may be exerted at the tendon of target muscle or its synergists.

Some, in vivo, but initial indications for intersegmental myofascial force transmission are discussed. The concept of myofascial force transmission as an additional load on the muscle proved to be fruitful in the analysis of its muscular effects. In spastic paresis and for healthy muscles distal myofascial loads are often encountered, but cannot fully explain the movement limitations in spastic paresis. Therefore, the concept of simultaneous and opposing myofascial loads is analyzed and used to formulate a hypothesis for explaining the movement limitation: Myofascially transmitted antagonistic force is borne by the spastic muscle, but subsequently transmitted again to distal tendons of synergistic muscles.     

不同生长期香椿叶片的抗氧化活性及其抗氧化作用分析

采用分光光度法,研究了不同生长期香椿叶片的抗氧化活性,并对其抗氧化作用进行了分析。结果表明,阴干处理对香椿总抗氧化力无显著影响,不同生长期的香椿总抗氧化力无显著差异;香椿嫩芽、嫩叶和老叶提取物均有清除.OH的作用,老叶、嫩叶对.OH的清除率均显著大于嫩芽,且阴干香椿对.OH的清除率均显著高于同一生长期的新鲜香椿,尤以阴干老叶的清除率最高;不同生长期的香椿提取物均有抑制亚油酸过氧化的作用,在低浓度时,嫩芽提取物对亚油酸过氧化的抑制率显著高于嫩叶或老叶,而在高浓度时,不同生长期香椿叶提取物对亚油酸过氧化的抑制率无显著差异。     

哺乳动物胚胎发育极性的研究进展

哺乳动物胚胎的早期发育,可依据环境变化进行自我调控。胚胎是何时具有自我调控能力的,一直有两种说法:其一,胚胎刚形成时,细胞质成分空间分布均衡,胚胎具有发育全能性,经几次卵裂后,卵裂球间开始分化发育,另外一种观点认为,胚胎形成时就具有极性,具备了分化发育的特异性,随着不断卵裂、细胞质的分离,这种发育差异表现得更加明显。近年的研究多倾向于第二种观点,认为卵裂的顺序及方位,对着床前胚胎的极性发育有影响。