PIG7慢病毒表达载体的构建

目的:构建一个含有PIG7基因ORF区的表达载体pPRRL-PIG7-IRES,为研究PIG7基因的功能打下基础。方法:采用RT-PCR方法从经苯丁酸钠处理过的Kasumi-1细胞获得PIG7基因SIMPLE转录本的ORF片段,再用酶切-连接的方法将目的片段亚克隆入慢病毒表达质粒PRRL.SIN.CPPT.PGK/GFP.WPRE。结果:PIG7基因ORF区成功亚克隆入了慢病毒表达质粒PRRL.SIN.CPPT.PGK/GFP.WPRE。结论:成功完成了PIG7慢病毒表达载体的构建,为研究PIG7基因的功能打下了基础。     

道路及道路施工对若尔盖高寒湿地小型兽类及鸟类生境利用的影响

为考察道路和道路施工对若尔盖高寒泥炭湿地野生动物的影响,我们在穿过若尔盖湿地的2条道路两侧,对距道路不同距离的小型兽类和鸟类分布进行了调查,其中小型兽类调查深度距离公路800m,鸟类调查深度距离公路400m。施工中的国道213线路两侧黑唇鼠兔(Ochotonacurzoniae)洞穴高密度区域离道路更远,在道路两侧400m处达到峰值,极显著高于距离道路10m处的密度;而在正常运营中的省道209线两侧,其洞穴密度在200m处达到最高值,与其他距离的洞穴密度没有显著性差异。无论在国道213线还是省道209线,道路对高原鼢鼠(Myospalaxbaileyi)洞穴分布的影响均未达到显著性水平。在正常运营的省道209线两侧,高原鼢鼠土堆密度最高区域为距离道路100m处;而施工的道路两侧高原鼢鼠土堆密度最高区域则出现在距离道路10m处,第二高峰出现在距离道路400m处。雀形目和隼形目鸟类的分布均呈现距离道路越远密度越高的趋势,但是只有距离道路400m处雀形目鸟类的密度显著高于50m与200m处;距离道路不同距离的样线中隼形目鸟类密度和物种丰富度没有显著性差异。由此可以看出,施工中的道路对黑唇鼠兔的影响区域比正常运营的道路更宽,其公路效应域达到400m,400m的调查深度对鸟类尤其是隼形目鸟类来说可能还略有不足。但是,根据此深度的调查可以确定施工中的国道213线雀形目和隼形目鸟类的公路效应域宽度大于400m。     

Niche construction,human behavior,and the adaptive‐lag hypothesis

Niche construction is the process whereby organisms modify selective environments, thereby affecting evolution. The niche‐construction perspective is particularly relevant to researchers using evolutionary methods to interpret human behavior and society. On the basis of niche‐construction theory, we argue against the hypothesis that modern humans experience an atypically large adaptive lag. We stress that humans construct their world largely to suit themselves and frequently buffer adaptive lag through cultural niche construction. Where they are unable to do that, natural selection of genes rapidly ensues. Our argument has implications for evolutionary psychology and human behavioral ecology, and suggests that the methods of the latter are potentially applicable to all human societies, even postindustrial ones.     

Environmental Enhancement Through Use of Recycled Aggregate Concrete in a Two-Stage Mixing Approach

As a high priority of waste management and recycling by the Hong Kong government, Recycled Aggregate (RA) has been used in various construction applications, mainly as sub-grade, roadwork, and unbound materials. However, higher-grade applications are rare. The major barrier encountered is the variation of quality within RA, which causes lower strength, resulted from crystallization of Recycled Aggregate Concrete (RAC). Therefore, the objective of this study is to examine the crystallization of RAC in a Two-Stage Mixing Approach. Following are the five areas of interest: (i) investigate the waste problems in construction activities; (ii) examine the crystal development on the hydration of cement paste; (iii) develop a two-stage mixing approach (TSMA) for improving the performance of RAC; (iv) explore the crystallization of TSMA in comparison with the Normal Mixing Approach (NMA) through use of Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC); and (v) verify the results obtained from DSC analysis with those obtained from compressive strength testing. This study adopted 0, 20, and 100% RA substitution in virgin aggregate and measured by DSC and compressive strength on both TSMA and NMA. TSMA uses only half the water for mixing, forming a thin layer of cement slurry on the surface of RA that will permeate into the porous old cement mortar and fill old cracks and voids in the pre-mix process. The results from DSC analysis clearly demonstrated that TSMA can give a better crystallization of CaO·SiO₂·H₂O [CSH] and Ca(OH)₂[CH]. The optimal situation occurs on 20% RA substitution in virgin aggregate, balancing the advantages of each, a finding supported by the results from compressive strength testing. Therefore, TSMA is a superior methodology and opens a wider application for the use of RAC.     

Mechanical properties of a mature biofilm from a wastewater system: from microscale to macroscale level

A fundamental understanding of biofilm mechanical stability is critical in order to describe detachment and develop biofouling control strategies. It is thus important to characterise the elastic deformation and flow behaviour of the biofilm under different modes of applied force. In this study, the mechanical properties of a mature wastewater biofilm were investigated with methods including macroscale compression and microscale indentation using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The mature biofilm was found to be mechanically isotropic at the macroscale level as its mechanical properties did not depend on the scales and modes of loading. However, the biofilm showed a tendency for mechanical inhomogeneity at the microscale level as indentation progressed deeper into the matrix. Moreover, it was observed that the adhesion force had a significant influence on the elastic properties of the biofilm at the surface, subjected to microscale tensile loading. These results are expected to inform a damage-based model for biofilm detachment.     

Coarse‐grained and all‐atom modeling of structural states and transitions in hemoglobin

Hemoglobin (Hb), an oxygen‐binding protein composed of four subunits (α1, α2, β1, and β2), is a well‐known example of allosteric proteins that are capable of cooperative ligand binding. Despite decades of studies, the structural basis of its cooperativity remains controversial. In this study, we have integrated coarse‐grained (CG) modeling, all‐atom simulation, and structural data from X‐ray crystallography and wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (WAXS), aiming to probe dynamic properties of the two structural states of Hb (T and R state) and the transitions between them. First, by analyzing the WAXS data of unliganded and liganded Hb, we have found that the structural ensemble of T or R state is dominated by one crystal structure of Hb with small contributions from other crystal structures of Hb. Second, we have used normal mode analysis to identify two distinct quaternary rotations between the α1β1 and α2β2 dimer, which drive the transitions between T and R state. We have also identified the hot‐spot residues whose mutations are predicted to greatly change these quaternary motions. Third, we have generated a CG transition pathway between T and R state, which predicts a clear order of quaternary and tertiary changes involving α and β subunits in Hb. Fourth, we have used the accelerated molecular dynamics to perform an all‐atom simulation starting from the T state of Hb, and we have observed a transition toward the R state of Hb. Further analysis of crystal structural data and the all‐atom simulation trajectory has corroborated the order of quaternary and tertiary changes predicted by CG modeling. Proteins 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Cloning Vectors Based on Cryptic Plasmids Isolated from Lactic Acid Bacteria:Their Characteristics and Potential Applications in Biotechnology

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are Gram positive bacteria, widely distributed in nature, and industrially important as they are used in a variety of industrial food fermentations. The use of genetic engineering techniques is an effective means of enhancing the industrial applicability of LAB. However, when using genetic engineering technology, safety becomes an essential factor for the application of improved LAB to the food industry. Cloning and expression systems should be derived preferably from LAB cryptic plasmids that generally encode genes for which functions can be proposed, but no phenotypes can be observed. However, some plasmid-encoded functions have been discovered in cryptic plasmids originating from Lactobacillus, Streptococcus thermophilus, and Pediococcus spp. and can be used as selective marker systems in vector construction. This article presents information concerning LAB cryptic plasmids, and their structures, functions, and applications. A total of 134 cryptic plasmids collated are discussed.     

微地形改造的生态环境效应研究进展

干旱缺水和生境不良使世界上许多地区的植被恢复和生态改善面临困难。为了提高植被成活率、遏制土壤侵蚀和土地退化态势,国内外许多重点地区都开展了多种微地形改造与下垫面整地措施,使得地表生境和植被状况得到一定改善。但微地形改造对生态环境影响的基础研究仍严重滞后于实践的客观需求,许多关键效应和科学机理不明。本文系统梳理和总结了国内外学者在不同生态系统类型区和自然地理单元上开展的相关研究。认为微地形改造对土壤属性和微生境、降雨入渗和水蚀过程、植被恢复的效果及其生态服务功能发挥等多个方面都有重要影响,并综述了相关研究进展。同时指出当前微地形改造研究中存在的突出问题。包括科学分类标准有待系统化、实地量化技术相对滞后、微地形改造的水文效应有待强化、影响植被恢复的机理不明等若干重要局限。建议应进一步加强微地形改造的分类体系研发、发展微地形改造方式的定量刻画技术;设立野外定位站,跟踪监测其长期效应,并加强不同微地形改造措施的生态环境效应对比,为科学筛选和优化下垫面改造技术、服务区域生态改善和应对气候变化提供科学依据。