Transforming growth factor-beta1 regulates fibronectin isoform expression and splicing factor SRp40 expression during ATDC5 chondrogenic maturation

Fibronectin (FN) isoform expression is altered during chondrocyte commitment and maturation, with cartilage favoring expression of FN isoforms that includes the type II repeat extra domain B (EDB) but excludes extra domain A (EDA). We and others have hypothesized that the regulated splicing of FN mRNAs is necessary for the progression of chondrogenesis. To test this, we treated the pre-chondrogenic cell line ATDC5 with transforming growth factor-beta1, which has been shown to modulate expression of the EDA and EDB exons, as well as the late markers of chondrocyte maturation; it also slightly accelerates the early acquisition of a sulfated proteoglycan matrix without affecting cell proliferation. When chondrocytes are treated with TGF-beta1, the EDA exon is preferentially excluded at all times whereas the EDB exon is relatively depleted at early times. This regulated alternative splicing of FN correlates with the regulation of alternative splicing of SRp40, a splicing factor facilitating inclusion of the EDA exon. To determine if overexpression of the SRp40 isoforms altered FN and FN EDA organization, cDNAs encoding these isoforms were overexpressed in ATDC5 cells. Overexpression of the long-form of SRp40 yielded an FN organization similar to TGF-beta1 treatment; whereas overexpression of the short form of SRp40 (which facilitates EDA inclusion) increased formation of long-thick FN fibrils. Therefore, we conclude that the effects of TGF-beta1 on FN splicing during chondrogenesis may be largely dependent on its effect on SRp40 isoform expression.     

Effects of tau phosphorylation on proteasome activity

Dysfunction of proteasome contributes to the accumulation of the abnormally hyperphosphorylated tau in Alzheimer's disease. However, whether tau hyperphosphorylation and accumulation affect the activity of proteasome is elusive. Here we found that a moderate tau phosphorylation activated the trypsin-like activity of proteasome, whereas further phosphorylation of tau inhibited the activity of the protease in HEK293 cells stably expressing tau441. Furthermore, tau hyperphosphorylation could partially reverse lactacystin-induced inhibition of proteasome. These results suggest that phosphorylation of tau plays a dual role in modulating the activity of proteasome.     

Feeding habitats of blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) during winter and spring in Helan Mountains, China

The feeding habitat selection of blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) was studied by direct observation method in the Helan Mountains, China during winter (from November to December) and spring (from April to June) from 2003 to 2004. We established 25 line transects to collect information on feeding habitats used by blue sheep. Blue sheep in the study area preferred mountain savanna forests, a habitat dominated by Ulmus glaucescens, with medium tree density (<4 individuals / 400 m²), moderate tree height (4–6 m), higher shrub density (> 5 individuals / 100 m²), higher shrub (> 1.3 m), higher food abundance (> 50 g), moderate distance to human disturbance (< 500 m), and mild distance to bare rock (< 2 m). Such habitats characterized by 12 ecological factors were preferred as feeding areas by blue sheep during winter. Similar to habitat selection by the species during winter, blue sheep also showed a preference for mountain savanna with tree dominated by Ulmus glaucescens and medium tree density (< 4 individuals / 400 m²) during spring. Nevertheless, blue sheep preferred medium tree height (< 6 m), moderate tree density (5–10 individuals / 100 m²), medium shrub height (1.3–1.7 m), higher food abundance (> 100 g), moderate altitude (< 2 000 m), moderate distance to water resource (< 500 m), and medium hiding cover (50%–75%) during spring. Selection of the feeding habitats by sheep showed a significant difference in vegetation type, landform feature, dominant tree, tree height, shrub density, distance to the nearest shrub, food abundance, slope direction, slope degree, distance to water resource, and hiding cover between winter and spring. Results of principal components analysis indicated that the first principal component accounted for 24.493% of the total variance among feeding habitat variance during winter, with higher loadings for vegetation type, dominant tree, tree height, distance to the nearest tree, shrub density, shrub height, altitude, distance to water resource, and distance to human disturbance. In spring, the first principal components explained 28.777% of the variance, with higher loadings for vegetation type, distance to the nearest tree, shrub height, distance to the nearest shrub, food abundance, altitude, and distance to human disturbance. Translated from Zoological Research, 2005, 26(6): 580–589 [译自: 动物学研究]     

Population genetic structure of Bryde’s whales (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Balaenoptera brydei</Emphasis>) at the inter-oceanic and trans-equatorial levels

Bryde’s whales (Balaenoptera brydei) differ from other typical baleen whale species because they are restricted to tropical and warm temperate waters in major oceans, and frequent trans-equatorial movement has been suggested for the species. We tested this hypothesis by analyzing genetic variation at 17 microsatellite loci (N = 508) and 299 bp of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region sequences (N = 472) in individuals obtained from the western North Pacific, South Pacific, and eastern Indian Ocean. Combined use of microsatellite and mtDNA markers allowed us to distinguish between contemporary gene flow and ancestral polymorphism and to describe sex-specific philopatry. A high level of genetic diversity was found within the samples. Both nuclear and mtDNA markers displayed similar population structure, indicating a lack of sex-specific philopatry. Spatial structuring was detected using both frequency-based population parameters and individual-based Bayesian approaches. Whales in the samples from different oceanic regions came from genetically distinct populations with evidence of limited gene flow. We observed low mtDNA sequence divergence among populations and a lack of concordance between geographic and phylogenetic position of mtDNA haplotypes, suggesting recent separation of populations rather than frequent trans-equatorial and inter-oceanic movement. We conclude that current gene flow between Bryde’s whale populations is low and that effective management actions should treat them as separate entities to ensure continued existence of the species.     

An alternative Alcian Blue dye variant for the evaluation of fetal cartilage

BACKGROUND: The most comprehensive evaluation of vertebrate skeletal development involves the use of Alizarin Red S dye to stain ossified bone and various other dyes to stain cartilage. The dye used most widely to stain fetal cartilage in rodents and rabbits is Alcian Blue 8GX. However, the global supply of this specific dye has been exhausted. Several forms of the dye marketed as Alcian Blue 8GX are now available, although they are not synthesized via the original 8GX manufacturing process. METHODS: One new Alcian Blue 8GX form and two Alcian Blue dye variants were evaluated in rats and rabbits using standard staining procedures. The staining quality of these dyes were evaluated relative to the original form of Alcian Blue 8GX based on cartilage uptake of the dye, clarity of the cartilaginous components, staining intensity of the dye, and overall readability of the specimens under stereomicroscopic evaluation. RESULTS: Staining with the newer form of Alcian Blue 8GX resulted in poor staining quality. The Alcian Blue-Pyridine variant performed well, although staining intensity was less than optimal. The Alcian Blue-Tetrakis variant provided staining characteristics that were most similar to the original form of Alcian Blue 8GX. CONCLUSIONS: Alcian Blue-Tetrakis was markedly better in its ability to stain fetal cartilage than the newer form of Alcian Blue 8GX.     

三角梅苞叶色彩参数和色素含量分析及蓝色转基因受体的筛选北大核心CSCD

三角梅作为重要的观赏植物颜色繁多,但缺乏稀有的蓝色。为筛选适合的蓝色转基因受体,明确不同品种三角梅苞片吸收利用DHM(二氢杨梅素)合成甜菜色素途径竞争产物(类黄酮色素)的潜在能力,该研究对红色、白色、黄色和紫色4大花色6个品种的三角梅苞片进行离体诱导培养,测定诱导培养后苞片色彩参数及色素含量变化,并进行相关性分析。结果显示:(1)三角梅苞片红绿色相值(a*)是决定苞片呈色的主要色彩参数,其色彩主要由甜菜色素和黄酮类色素决定,并以甜菜红素的影响最大。(2)除白色品种三角梅苞片中黄酮类色素含量大于甜菜色素含量外,其余品种苞片发育中甜菜色素含量均呈上升趋势,黄酮类色素呈下降趋势。(3)甜菜色苷含量与苞片a*值呈显著正相关关系,同时与苞片黄蓝色相值(b*)呈显著负相关关系;总黄酮含量与苞片b*值呈显著正相关关系,与苞片a*值呈极显著负相关关系。(4)经DHM体外诱导培养后,苞片总黄酮含量及占比在4个品种三角梅(‘新加坡大白’、‘宝老橙’、‘中国丽人’、‘黄蝶’)中明显升高,但各品种苞片总甜菜色素含量及占比均下降,并以‘新加坡大白’苞片中总黄酮含量上升幅度最大(65.77%),含量占比变化(增加26.91%)也为6个品种中最大。(5)灰色关联度综合分析显示,白色品种‘新加坡大白’与灰色关联度分析拟定的参考品种关联度最高(0.7444),表明三角梅品种中‘新加坡大白’可考虑作为蓝色转基因三角梅的受体品种。     

假单胞菌YL11对扩展青霉的抑制作用及其机理初探

【背景】苹果青霉病是由扩展青霉引起的一种重要的果实采后病害,影响果实品质导致苹果腐烂从而造成经济损失。【目的】研究假单胞菌YL11对扩展青霉的抑制作用和苹果采后青霉病的防治效果,并对抑菌机理进行初步探讨。【方法】以扩展青霉为供试菌株,研究不同浓度的假单胞菌YL11无菌发酵液对扩展青霉菌落直径、孢子萌发率、菌丝体干重、苹果损伤接种病斑直径扩展的影响,利用对电导率、核酸及蛋白释放量、AKP含量、SDH活性、ATP酶活性和ATP含量的影响对抑菌机理进行探究。【结果】假单胞菌YL11无菌发酵液能有效抑制扩展青霉生长,抑菌圈直径为22.33±0.27 mm,抑菌效价为71.67 mm/mL;能有效抑制孢子萌发,100%无菌发酵液对孢子萌发抑制率达到80.2%;对扩展青霉的生物量也有一定抑制作用,体积分数为100%时,菌丝体干重为4.7mg/mL,抑制率达到39.74%;无菌发酵液处理能有效抑制苹果青霉病病斑的扩展,3d时对病斑扩展的抑制率最大,达到47.1%;无菌发酵液处理均能引起电导率升高、胞内核酸和蛋白释放量增大、胞外AKP含量升高、SDH活性降低、ATP酶活性和ATP含量均降低,且随着发酵液浓度的增加效果越明显。【结论】假单胞菌YL11能显著抑制扩展青霉的生长,破坏细胞膜结构、降低能量代谢酶活性,从而扰乱扩展青霉的正常生长,对苹果青霉病有较好的生防效果,具有潜在的开发价值。     

Removal of methylene blue dye from aqueous solutions by natural clinoptilolite and clinoptilolite modified by iron oxide nanoparticles

Adsorption techniques are widely used to remove industrial wastewater contaminants, especially non-biodegradable colourants. In this study, Iranian zeolite clinoptilolite was synthesised using magnetic iron oxide as an inexpensive and efficient adsorbent. The results showed that using natural zeolite, the removal efficiency of 26.8.6% at pH?=?3 reached 48% at pH?=?9. However, the adsorption capacity of the modified clinoptilolite did not change by increasing pH; it ranged from 96.4% to 98.6%. Moreover, increase in the initial concentration of the dye did not have any effects on the removal efficacy of the modified clinoptilolite. Using natural zeolite, on the other hand, the adsorption capacity showed a significant decrease and reached less than 10% at the 200?mg/l dye concentration. At the optimal contact time of 45?min, the dye removal rate by the modified zeolite was more than 98% at the optimal dose of 0.5?g. Indeed, the adsorption isotherm complied with Freundlich equation. Overall, the results showed that in comparison to the natural zeolite, the adsorption capacity of the clinoptilolite modified by iron nanoparticles increased significantly due to the uniformity of the cavities and increase in the surface of the adsorbent.     

Mechanical understanding of hunting waves generated by killer whales

The wave wash hunting employed by Orcinus orca, also known as killer whales, is unique in that the prey is hunted outside of the water by generating waves. To quantitatively analyze the specific mechanism of the wave wash, data were obtained using computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and wave theory was introduced as the theoretical background to clarify the mechanism. The relationships between the swimming characteristics and wave parameters are defined in this paper. The results obtained by numerical investigation revealed that the wavelength increased with the swimming speed. Additionally, the wave height increased as the swimming speed increased and the swimming depth became shallower, and subsequently converged to a maximum of 2.42 m. The success of hunting is determined by two wave parameters, which indicate the intensity of the wave wash: the wave height and force exerted on the prey. The metabolic rate and the drag force are considered to evaluate the efficiency of the locomotion, which varied according to the swimming speed (V) and swimming depth (d) of the whales. To generate hunting waves efficiently, the optimal ranges of V and d were estimated to be 3 ~ 5 m/s and 0.5 m ~ 1.1 m respectively.