The Contribution of TRPV4-Mediated Calcium Signaling to Calcium Homeostasis in Endothelial Cells

A large variety of cation transport systems are involved in the regulation of calcium homeostasis in endothelial cells. The focus of the present study is to determine the contribution of nonselective cation channels from the TRP (transient receptor potential) family to cellular calcium homeostasis of porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAEC). One member of the TRPV (vanniloid) subfamily, TRPV4, has previously been shown to be involved in cation transport induced by a large variety of stimulations including osmolarity, temperature, mechanical stress, and phosphorylation. Here, we demonstrate the existence of several TRP proteins, including TRPV4, in PAEC using RT-PCR. To test whether this channel is functional, we performed FURA-2 calcium measurements and whole-cell patch-clamp experiments. We observed the induction of large calcium signals following mechanical stress, altered extracellular temperature, and the selective TRPV4 activator 4-α -PDD. These effects were diminished in the presence of the TRPV4 inhibitor miconazole, suggesting the involvement of this channel in mediating endothelial calcium signals. The large amounts of transported calcium and the short signaling ways suggest a potentially important role of this channel in many physiological processes.     

Automatic individual calibration in fall detection – an integrative ambulatory measurement framework

The objective of the current study was to demonstrate the utility of a new integrative ambulatory measurement (IAM) framework by developing and evaluating an individual calibration function in fall detection application. Ten healthy elderly persons were involved in a laboratory study and tested in a protocol comprising various types of activities of daily living and slip-induced backward falls. Inertial measurement units attached to the trunk and thigh segments were used to measure trunk angular kinematics and thigh accelerations. The effect of individual calibration was evaluated with previously developed fall detection algorithm. The results indicated that with individual calibration, the fall detection performance achieved approximately the same level of sensitivity (100% vs. 100%) and specificity (95.25% vs. 95.65%); however, response time was significantly lower than without (249 ms vs. 255 ms). It was concluded that the automatic individual calibration using the IAM framework improves the performance of fall detection, which has a greater implication in preventing/minimising injuries associated with fall accidents.     

芦荟蒽醌类物质提取工艺的研究

以提取物中蒽醌类物质含量综合评价,利用正交实验比较了浸提、超声提取和索氏提取优选库拉索（Aloe vera L．）中蒽醌类物质的最佳提取工艺条件,为芦荟蒽醌类物质的开发提供科学依据和实验基础。从而得出最佳提取方法为超声提取,最佳醇沉工艺条件为：幼叶叶皮60目,乙醇40℃超声45min。     

How does the annelid Alvinella pompejana deal with an extreme hydrothermal environment?

Alvinella pompejana, the so-called Pompeii worm (Desbruyères and Laubier, 1980), is found exclusively in association to high temperature venting, at the surface of hydrothermal chimneys of the East Pacific Rise. The main characteristics of this emblematic species is its tolerance to high temperature but its ability to colonize extremely hot substrates has been the subject of much controversy. In the last decade, new tools allowing in situ and in vivo investigation have been determinant in the understanding of the strategies and adaptations required to colonize such an extremely hot environment. New data relative to the characterization of the animal habitat conditions, on one hand, to the molecular adaptations of this organism and the colonization processes by this species, on the other hand, are now available. Advanced methods and tools, that have fostered the physico-chemical characterization of vent habitats in recent years, are first reviewed. Factors controlling the physico-chemical variability of vent habitats and the threats A. pompejana might effectively face are discussed. The exceptional thermotolerance of this species and the maximum temperature it could sustain are then considered in the light of molecular data relative to its collagen stability. Life history traits as well as biological controls on tube micro-habitat conditions are discussed on the basis of new in situ and in vivo experiments and characterization. Finally, the current knowledge and opened questions related to the molecular adaptations to chemical stresses are briefly stated. The ability of Alvinella pompejana to colonize these substrates is far from being fully understood, but the exceptional properties of its extracellular biopolymers and the behavior of the worm can be now considered as major clues in the colonization process. Alvinella pompejana could thus stand at the limits authorized for its biological machinery in a highly dynamic environment where temperature can readily reach lethal values, but where temperature regulation by the animal itself would prevent exposure to deleterious thermal spikes. The dynamic system associating this pioneer species and its associated microflora might be viewed as a key to the subsequent colonization of these environments by less tolerant species, highlighting A. pompejana as a new type of ecosystem bioengineer.     

呼中自然保护区多年冻土活动层厚度的影响因子分析

以大兴安岭呼中国家级自然保护区为对象,调查了该区多年冻土的活动层厚度,并利用多重对比分析和相关分析方法,对多年冻土活动层的影响因子进行了分析。结果表明,多年冻土活动层厚度与多个环境因子之间存在着复杂的关系。土壤含水量、地形条件和不同群落对于活动层厚度具有重要影响,而活动层厚度也会反作用于这些影响因子。其中,土壤表层含水量与活动层厚度呈极显著负相关(P<0.001)。地形坡度和活动层厚度呈显著正相关(P=0.006)。几乎每个样带的海拔与活动层厚度都有显著的相关性,但在整个研究区域内海拔与活动层厚度不存在相关性。这说明活动层厚度的变异仅在本研究的样带尺度上具有规律性,而这种规律性在稍大尺度上会消失。对于不同的群落活动层厚度的多重对比分析表明,群落的差异对活动层厚度也有明显的影响,其中狭叶杜香-泥炭藓群落更有利于多年冻土的保存。     

链霉菌M-1菌株所产抑菌活性物质特性的初步研究

用链霉菌M-1菌株所产的抑菌物质进行稳定性试验和极性试验,稳定性试验表明该菌株连续传代10次后遗传性稳定,且发酵液在100℃处理60 min,紫外线照射3 min和在碱性条件下处理后其对病原指示菌的抑菌活性基本不减。极性试验表明该物质属于弱碱性水溶性抗生素。本研究为进一步对该抑菌活性物质分离提取工艺和其在实践上的应用,提供了有益的试验数据。     

关于提高血气分析仪测量精度的探讨

血气分析已广泛用于昏迷、休克、严重外伤的危急病人的血液酸碱度、氧分压、二氧化碳分压的测量。测量数据的准确性至关重要。本文对与测量精度有关的几个环节如计量检定、质控与定标、样本采集与测量、日常维护与故障处理进行探讨,提出提高血气分析精度的解决方案。     

A novel device to monitor small changes in underwater distances

Abstract. This study describes a technique to record small (1 cm) distance changes or movements occurring in seawater using a simple electronic circuit and miniature ball electrodes. This low-cost technique was designed to directly measure such changes in a broad range of experiments involving small marine invertebrates while minimizing the mechanical loading of the structures of interest. The circuit detects and amplifies small changes in the resistance of seawater between two electrodes as the distance between them varies; these are then converted to voltage changes. After calibrating the output of the device with known distance measurements, it was evaluated using a test organism by monitoring and recording the body flushing behavior of the sea squirt, Styela plicata . Electrodes were sewn to the tunic at the base of the atrial siphon and changes in its diameter were recorded >24-h periods. Using ∼3-cm-tall sea squirts, the distance between the electrodes expanded and contracted with a range of 5.5 mm during rhythmic flushings. Flushes occurred on average every 4.1 min and showed a rapid initial contraction, followed by a slower expansion while refilling. Attaching electrodes to the tunic had little mechanical or behavioral effect; the untouched control specimen had similar flushing rates. The movement monitor circuit is stable, sensitive, and performed well in full-strength seawater experiments where good spatial and high temporal resolution, low inertial loading, and low noise were required. The technique, as shown here, can be used to record a wide range of animal movements and further suggested modifications of the circuit may suit a broad range of other experimental situations.     

Zur Wandstruktur der großen Arterien der Vögel

Zusammenfassung Die Wandstruktur der großen Arterien des Schwans, der Drossel und des Stars wurde licht- und elektronenoptisch untersucht und eine Einteilung in elastische, muskuläre und Übergangsgefäße getroffen.Die Media der elastischen Gefäße besteht aus muskulo-elastischen Zylindersegmenten, die mit breiten Bindegewebslagen alternieren. Die Zylindersegmente bestehen aus plattenförmigen Lagen glatter Muskelzellen, die von elastischen Fasernetzen flankiert werden. Diese Zylindersegmente beginnen und enden in den Bindegewebslagen stark gegeneinander versetzt, so daß ein kulissenartig einander überlappendes Plattensystem entsteht. Die Bindegewebslagen bestehen neben kollagenen Fasern und Fibrozyten aus mehreren konzentrischen Lagen elastischer Fasernetze. Die elastischen Netze sind durch Verbindungsfasern zu einem dreidimensionalem, die ganze Gefäßwand durchsetzenden elastischen System verknüpft. In den Übergangsgefäßen sind die Bindegewebslagen zwischen den muskulo-elastischen Systemen weitgehend reduziert.Bindegewebige und muskuläre Wandbestandteile sind im muskulären Vogelgefäß weitgehend voneinander getrennt. Die Media besteht aus glatten Muskelzellen, die von elastischen Netzen zu Schichten zusammengefaßt werden, die Adventitia aus kollagenen Fasern, Fibrozyten und konzentrischen Lagen elastischer Fasernetze. Die glatten Gefäßmuskelzellen sind durch elastische Fasernetze zu muskulo-elastischen Einheiten zusammengefaßt. Die mechanischen Verknüpfungspunkte zwischen Muskelzellen und elastischen Fasern sind über die ganze Zelloberfläche verteilt.Die Gefäßbautypen sind durch eine Wandstärken-Lumenrelation gekennzeichnet. Sie beträgt im elastischen Gefäß 1:5 bis 1:6, im muskulären Gefäß 1:14 bis 1:16.

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The wall structure of large arteries in birds

Summary A classification of large arteries (elastic, muscular and intermediate type) in mute swan, trush and starling was undertaken with light and electron microscopy.The tunica media of elastic arteries consists of musculo-elastic cylindrical segments alternating with wide connective tissue layers. The former consists of smooth muscle cell layers, which are adjoined by a network of elastic fibers. These musculo-elastic cylinder segments overlap incompletely. The connective tissue layers consist of networks of elastic fibers concentrically arranged in addition to collagen fibers and fibrocytes. The elastic networks are joined by connecting elastic fibers, thus forming a three-dimensionalsystem. In the intermediate type of arteries the connective tissue layers between the musculo-elastic systems are greatly reduced.Connective tissue and muscular components of the wall of muscular arteries are almost completely separated. The tunica media is composed of smooth muscle cells sandwiched by networks of elastic fibers. The tunica adventitia is formed by concentric networks of elastic fibers, collagen fibers and fibrocytes.The arterial smooth muscle cells, together with networks of elastic fibers, form a musculoelastic unit. The points of mechanical attachment between smooth muscle cells and elastic fibers are scattered all over the cellular surface. The arterial types described above are characterized by a well-defined wall thickness/lumen ratio. This ratio is of the order of 1:5 to 1:6 for elastic arteries and 1:14 to 1:16 for muscular arteries.

Medizinische Dissertation unter Anleitung von Prof. Dr. Dr. H.-R. Duncker.     

高寒草甸植物物种丧失对草原毛虫的影响

植物多样性是调控食物网结构和生态系统功能最重要的生物因素, 植物多样性丧失深刻影响食草动物, 但由于小型食草动物种群数量波动明显、统计随机性较大等困难, 我们对植物多样性丧失如何影响小型食草动物依然知之甚少。基于在青藏高原高寒草甸设置的长期植物物种剔除试验, 本研究于2016-2020年7-8月连续调查了植物物种剔除各处理中草原毛虫(Gynaephora alpherakiif)的数量, 分析了植物物种及功能群丧失对草原毛虫的影响。结果表明, 虽然时空差异及统计随机性是影响草原毛虫数量变化的主要因素, 但植物物种剔除介导的群落差异对草原毛虫数量的影响依然显著: (1)在各观测时段, 优势种线叶嵩草(Kobresia capillifolia)的丧失导致群落中草原毛虫数量显著减少; 禾草类物种丧失也会减少草原毛虫数量, 但其影响仅在8月显著; (2)杂类草物种丧失通过增加群落中禾草物种多度, 可增加草原毛虫数量; 豆科物种丧失使莎草增多, 也会增加草原毛虫数量; (3)各植物功能群部分物种剔除并未显著影响草原毛虫数量。本研究证实了高寒草甸中草原毛虫数量会因优势植物嵩草和禾草的多度减少或禾草物种丧失而显著减少, 但群落总生物量、个体数和物种丰富度、豆科多度以及各功能群植物同比减少, 都对草原毛虫数量没有明显影响。这些结果说明在随机作用主导下, 植物群落中的特定功能群相对多度(而非物种多样性)变化深刻影响草原毛虫适合度, 进而影响生态系功能及服务; 未来生物多样性研究及草地虫害生物防控中应更多考虑统计随机性及植物功能多样性对小型食草动物的影响。