高原鼠兔氧比传导特征的实验研究

本实验采用国外新近提出的一项能综合评价机体气体交换系统中各氧降阶差时运氧能力的适应水平高低的重要指标──氧比传导（ＭＯ２－ＳＣ）,研究了高原鼠兔气体交换系统运氧能力的低氧适应特征及规律。结果表明,对照条件下,在吸入气（Ｉ）至肺泡气（Ａ）（Ｉ→Ａ）、Ａ至动脉血（ａ）（Ａ→ａ）、ａ至混合静脉血（ｖ）（ａ→ｖ）及Ｉ→ｖ各阶差中,以Ａ→ａ的ＭＯ２－ＳＣ运氧能力最大。低氧１５ｍｍ后,Ｉ→Ａ及ａ→ｖ的ＭＯ２－ＳＣ均显著升高,并以Ｉ→Ａ增加最为显著,该水平运氧能力是对照的２倍,增长１２０．９％;而Ａ→ａ及Ｉ→ｖＭＯ２－ＳＣ变化无显著性差异。低氧３０ｍｉｎ时,Ｉ→Ａ的ＭＯ２－ＳＣ继续显著增长,运氧能力是对照的２．７倍,增长１７０．７％,其余３个氧降阶差的ＭＯ２－ＳＣ无显著性改变。以上结果表明,高原鼠兔低氧代偿贮备较大,尤以肺泡气至动脉血阶差最为重要,而通气氧传导能力的增强也是高原鼠兔低氧适应的主要原因。     

Induction of apoptosis and c-myc in L1210 lymphocytic leukemia cells by adenosine

High concentrations of adenosine (Ado), when added to L1210 lymphocytic leukemia cells, resulted in apoptosis or programmed cell death. The apoptotic process was accompanied by distinct morphological changes including chromatin condensation and blebbing of plasma membranes. Extensive DNA fragmentation was correlated with Ado concentrations. Furthermore, apoptosis in these cells was preceded by an early but transient expression of c-myc proto-oncogene, and was not influenced by homocysteine thiolactone added to the cells. Since severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is associated with a deficiency of adenosine deaminase, leading to defects in both cellular and humoral immunity, Ado-induced apoptosis may thus be a contributing factor in the pathology of SCID.     

ANTIVIRAL ACTIVITY OF CULTURED BLUE-GREEN ALGAE (CYANOPHYTA)1

Lipophilic and hydrophilic extracts from approximately 600 strains of cultured cyanophytes, representing some 300 species, were examined for antiviral activity against three pathogenic viruses. Approximately 10% of the cultures produced substances that caused significant reduction in cytopathic effect normally associated with viral infection. The screening program identified the order Chroococcales as commonly producing antiviral agents.     

The evolution and ecology of multiple antipredator defences

Prey seldom rely on a single type of antipredator defence, often using multiple defences to avoid predation. In many cases, selection in different contexts may favour the evolution of multiple defences in a prey. However, a prey may use multiple defences to protect itself during a single predator encounter. Such “defence portfolios” that defend prey against a single instance of predation are distributed across and within successive stages of the predation sequence (encounter, detection, identification, approach (attack), subjugation and consumption). We contend that at present, our understanding of defence portfolio evolution is incomplete, and seen from the fragmentary perspective of specific sensory systems (e.g., visual) or specific types of defences (especially aposematism). In this review, we aim to build a comprehensive framework for conceptualizing the evolution of multiple prey defences, beginning with hypotheses for the evolution of multiple defences in general, and defence portfolios in particular. We then examine idealized models of resource trade-offs and functional interactions between traits, along with evidence supporting them. We find that defence portfolios are constrained by resource allocation to other aspects of life history, as well as functional incompatibilities between different defences. We also find that selection is likely to favour combinations of defences that have synergistic effects on predator behaviour and prey survival. Next, we examine specific aspects of prey ecology, genetics and development, and predator cognition that modify the predictions of current hypotheses or introduce competing hypotheses. We outline schema for gathering data on the distribution of prey defences across species and geography, determining how multiple defences are produced, and testing the proximate mechanisms by which multiple prey defences impact predator behaviour. Adopting these approaches will strengthen our understanding of multiple defensive strategies.     

Temporal Association Between Pulmonary Inflammation and Antioxidant Induction Following Hyperoxic Exposure of the Preterm Guinea Pig

The time course and nature of the pulmonary inflammatory and antioxidant responses, both during and after hyperoxic-induced acute lung injury were studied in the preterm guinea pig. Three-day preterm (65 days gestation) guinea pigs were randomly exposed to either 21% O₂ (control) or 95% O₂ (hyperoxia) for 72 hours. All pups were then maintained in ambient conditions for up to a further 11 days, during which time lung damage was monitored. In animals exposed to hyperoxia, evidence of acute lung injury and inflammation was characterized by a marked increase in microvascular permeability and elevated numbers of neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Protein concentration, elastase-like activity and elastase-inhibitory capacity in lavage fluid were at a maximum at the end of the 72 hours hyperoxic exposure. Four days later, all values had returned to control levels. In contrast, increased numbers of neutrophils, macrophages and lymphocytes were recovered in the lavage fluid during this early recovery period. Coinciding with the influx of inflammatory cells, there was a significant increase in glutathione peroxidase, manganese superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in immature lung. Lung copper/zinc superoxide dismutase activity remained unchanged during both experimental periods. The strong temporal relationship between the influx of inflammatory cells to the lung and the induction of pulmonary antioxidant enzyme defences suggests that a common mechanism underlies both responses. These findings have led us to regard inflammation in the hyperoxic-injured immature lung as a beneficial event and not, as previously suggested, as part of the injurious process.     

Trace amines and Tourette's syndrome

There has been considerable interest in recent years in possible neurochemical abnormalities in Tourette's Syndrome (TS). In studies combining neuropsychological and neurochemical measurements, we have investigated the possible roles of trace amines in this disorder. Urinary levels of free -phenylethylamine (PEA) and plasma levels of its precursor amino acid phenylalanine were decreased in TS patients when compared to values in normal children. These urinary PEA levels in TS patients were inversely related to several scores from the Tourette's Syndrome Global Scale (TSGS). Further investigation of the group of subjects with low urinary PEA indicated that they also had low levels of MHPG, normetanephrine, 5-HT andm- andp-tyramine. Patients with low PEA were also compared on an extensive battery of neuropsychological measures and observed to perform significantly worse than TS patients with normal urinary PEA levels. Biochemical measurements also suggest a possible abnormality in tryptamine turnover in TS since urinary levels of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA; the acid metabolite of tryptamine) are significantly lower in TS patients than in normal controls.     

脑桥呼吸调整中枢向中缝大核下行投射的研究

实验在23只苯巴比妥钠麻醉(i.p.30mg/kg)的成年猫上进行。在脑桥呼吸调整中枢(NPBM-KF)共记录到67个单位放电可被电刺激中缝大核(NRM)所逆行兴奋。其中有7个单位为呼吸相关性单位(吸气性6、呼气性1),占脑桥87个呼吸相关性单位总数的8％。逆行兴奋潜伏期在0.4—2.5ms之间,平均1.2ms。中缝大核内微量注入麦角辣根过氧化酶(WGA-HRP)后在NPBM-KF区观察到大量HRP标记神经元。本实验结果表明,发自脑桥呼吸调整中枢神经元的轴突可投射到中缝大核。这一投射通路可能与呼吸及痛觉调节有关。     

Apios americana,a fly-pollinated papilionaceous flower?

In the flowers ofApios americana the vexillum remains ± in its bud position. In this way, a dark cavity is formed displaying a bright window at its base. Insect visitors are attracted to the hidden inflorescences by scent. In their attempt to reach the window they trigger an explosive release of stigma and pollen. Stigmatic fluid glues pollen to the visitor. All characters of the flower fit well into the myiophilous syndrome and thus flies are expected to be the proper pollinators.Apios americana seems to be the only myiophilous exception within the predominantly melittophilousFabaceae.     

新型冠状病毒及泛β冠状病毒广谱中和单抗的研究进展

新型冠状病毒的全球大流行,给人类的生命健康和社会秩序带来了巨大的危害。疫苗、小分子药物及各类抗体药物的研发在遏制新型冠状病毒感染传播、降低重症率和死亡风险上发挥了积极的作用。然而,由于新冠病毒庞大的感染基数及自身易突变的特征,当前已经演化出多种能逃逸疫苗及中和抗体的变异株,显著削弱了抗体的保护效果。研发新型冠状病毒广谱甚至泛β冠状病毒广谱的中和抗体对于未来新冠变异株及其他高致病性β冠状病毒的防治具有重要意义。本文从新型冠状病毒中和抗体的筛选制备策略、作用机制、中和效果及广谱性等方面进行了系统综述,并对当前面临的挑战和未来的发展方向进行了讨论和展望,以期为后续相关研究提供参考。