经验改变大鼠听皮层神经元的特征频率

应用常规电生理学技术,以神经元的特征频率和频率调谐曲线为指标,研究大鼠听皮层神经元特征频率的可塑性. 结果表明,在给予的条件刺激频率和神经元特征频率相差1.0 kHz范围内,条件刺激可诱导50%以上神经元特征频率发生完全偏移,并可分为向频率调谐曲线的低频端偏移、高频端偏移,或两侧均可偏移三种类型. 其中,神经元的特征频率高、Q₁₀-dB值大和频率调谐曲线对称指数大于零的神经元,其特征频率偏向频率调谐曲线高频端的概率更高. 结果提示,经验可改变大鼠听皮层神经元的特征频率,为深入研究中枢神经元功能活动可塑性的机制提供了重要实验资料.     

Reconsidering null models of diversity: Do geometric constraints on species ranges necessarily cause a mid‐domain effect?

Recent null models that place species ranges randomly within a bounded domain have produced controversial results. Many such geometric constraint models predict a peak in species richness in the centre of domains in the absence of underlying environmental gradients or interspecific interactions. We used two-dimensional simulation models to explore different ways that species ranges could interact with the domain boundary. In the rejection model, a randomly generated range that overlaps a domain boundary is removed from the simulation. In the reshaping model, a range that overlaps the domain boundary is reshaped so that the entire range is placed within the domain. The truncation model allows potential ranges to extend across the boundary, but only that portion of the range within the domain is included in the realized range. Both rejection and reshaping models produced a drop in species richness near domain boundaries, though the effect was less pronounced in the reshaping model. Our truncation model did not produce any spatial pattern in species richness. Thus the random placement of species ranges within a bounded domain does not necessarily lead to a mid-domain effect.
  Range truncation is consistent with bioclimate envelope models, which can successfully predict a species range in response to the availability of appropriate climate conditions. We argue that such flexible range sizes are more realistic than the assumption that range size is an unvarying characteristic of a species. Other range characteristics, including size and shape, can change near domain boundaries in the null models, including the truncation model. A broader consideration of range characteristics near domain boundaries could be productive.     

No heat-stimulated germination found in herbaceous species from burned subtropical grassland

The inverse relationship between numbers of stomata (stomatal frequency) on tree leaves and ambient CO₂ concentration is increasingly applied for reconstructing past atmospheric CO₂ levels. The abundance of leaf remains of Quercus robur in Holocene peat and lake deposits in Europe makes this species potentially suitable for high-resolution stomatal frequency analysis. In order to quantify the CO₂ responsiveness of the species, the behavior of the stomatal index for Q. robur during the current anthropogenic CO₂ increase is determined on the basis of buried, herbarium and modern leaf material from the Netherlands. The stomatal index (SI), expressing the ratio of the number of stomata in a given area divided by the total number of stomata and other epidermal cells in that same area, is used in order to minimize influences on stomatal frequency of environmental conditions other than CO₂. The sigmoid SI response pattern recorded for Q. robur resembles that of the closely related species Q. petraea, although there is a difference in the timing of the response limitation of the two species to increasing atmospheric CO₂. For calibration purposes only the linear phase of the sigmoidal response curve is taken into consideration in the presented CO₂ response model, which allows confident combination of Q. robur and Q. petraea over the interval from 290 to 325 ppmv CO₂. The model is conservative in reconstructing past CO₂ mixing ratios outside the range of monitored response. As a result of the observed SI response limit, the model predicts CO₂ levels below 325 ppmv with a mean error of 10.2 ppmv, whereas higher CO₂ levels are underestimated.     

鱼类分批繁殖力和繁殖频率的研究进展

繁殖潜力是决定鱼类的繁殖补充及制定种群评估生物学假设的关键机制,由此分批繁殖力和繁殖频率对评估分批繁殖鱼类的繁殖潜力就十分必要.分批繁殖力和繁殖频率的研究均开始于20世纪80年代,在过去的30年中,评估分批繁殖力最为广泛使用的方法是水化卵法,而繁殖频率使用最多的方法是产后滤泡法.这两种方法虽然都存在一定的不足,但无可否认是现在最为实用和成熟的方法.     

Genetic associations with coronary heart disease: Meta-analyses of 12 candidate genetic variants

Aims

The aim of this study was to evaluate the combined contribution of 12 genetic variants to the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD).

Methods

Through a comprehensive literature search for genetic variants involved in the CHD association study, we harvested a total of 10 genes (12 variants) for the current meta-analyses. These genes consisted of GPX1 (rs1050450), PPARD (rs2016520), ALOX15 (rs34210653), SELPLG (rs2228315), FCGR2A (rs1801274), CCL5 (rs2107538), CYP1A1 (rs4646903), TP53 (rs1042522), CX37 (rs1764391), and PECAM1 (rs668, rs12953, and rs1131012).

Results

A total of 45 studies among 23,314 cases and 28,430 controls were retrieved for the meta-analyses of 12 genetic variants. The results showed a significant association between the GPX1 rs1050450 polymorphism and CHD (odd ratio (OR) = 1.61, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.25–2.07, P = 0.0002). Other meta-analyses of the rest 11 variants suggested a lack of association with the risk of CHD.

Conclusion

Our results confirmed that GPX1 rs1050450 was associated with susceptibility to CHD in Chinese and Indian populations.     

The novel MER transposon-derived miRNAs in human genome

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNA molecules (~ 20–30 nucleotides) that generally act in gene silencing and translational repression through the RNA interference pathway. They generally originate from intergenic genomic regions, but some are found in genomic regions that have been characterized such as introns, exons, and transposable elements (TE). To identify the miRNAs that are derived from palindromic MERs, we analyzed MER paralogs in human genome. The structures of the palindromic MERs were similar to the hairpin structure of miRNA in humans. Three miRNAs derived from MER96 located on chromosome 3, and MER91C paralogs located on chromosome 8 and chromosome 17 were identified in HeLa, HCT116, and HEK293 cell lines. The interactions between these MER-derived miRNAs and AGO1, AGO2, and AGO3 proteins were validated by immunoprecipitation assays. The data suggest that miRNAs derived from transposable elements could widely affect various target genes in the human genome.     

Association of the variant rs2243421 of human DOC-2/DAB2 interactive protein gene (hDAB2IP) with gastric cancer in the Chinese Han population

Human DOC-2/DAB2 interactive protein (hDAB2IP) gene is a novel member of the Ras GTPase-activating family and has been demonstrated to be a tumor-suppressor gene that inhibits cell survival and proliferation and induces cell apoptosis. It was reported that the expression level of hDAB2IP in gastric cancer tissue was highly correlated with tumor progression, however, whether hDAB2IP genetic variants are associated with the risk of gastric cancer remains yet unknown. In this case–control study, we conducted a genetic analysis for hDAB2IP variants in 311 patients with gastric cancer and 425 controls from the Chinese Han population. We found that the SNP rs2243421 of hDAB2IP gene with the minor allele C significantly revealed strong association with decreased gastric cancer susceptibility (P = 0.007, adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.734, 95%CI = 0.586–0.919). Haplotypes rs2243421 and rs10985332 (HaploType: CC, P = 0.012, aOR = 0.760) and haplotypes rs2243421 and rs555996 (HaploType: CG, P = 0.034, aOR = 0.788) represented the decreased risk of gastric cancer, respectively. On the contrary, rs2243421 and rs555996 showed an elevated susceptibility (HaploType: TG, P = 0.010, aOR = 1.320). Our results for the first time provided new insight into susceptibility factors of hDAB2IP gene variants in carcinogenesis of gastric cancer.     

Common variant in FUT2 gene is associated with levels of vitamin B12 in Indian population

Vitamin B₁₂ is an essential micronutrient synthesized by microorganisms. Mammals including humans have evolved ways for transport and absorption of this vitamin. Deficiency of vitamin B₁₂ (either due to low intake or polymorphism in genes involved in absorption and intracellular transport of this vitamin) has been associated with various complex diseases. Genome-wide association studies have recently identified several common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in fucosyl transferase 2 gene (FUT2) to be associated with levels of vitamin B₁₂—the strongest association was with a non-synonymous SNP rs602662 in this gene. In the present study, we attempted to replicate the association of this SNP (rs602662) in an Indian population since a significant proportion has been reported to have low levels of vitamin B₁₂ in this population. A total of 1146 individuals were genotyped for this SNP using a single base extension method and association with levels of vitamin B₁₂ was assessed in these individuals. Regression analysis was performed to analyze the association considering various confounding factors like for age, sex, diet, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease status. We found that the SNP rs602662 was significantly associated with the levels of vitamin B₁₂ (p value < 0.0001). We also found that individuals adhering to a vegetarian diet with GG (homozygous major genotype) have significantly lower levels of vitamin B₁₂ in these individuals. Thus, our study reveals that vegetarian diet along with polymorphism in the FUT2 gene may contribute significantly to the high prevalence of vitamin B₁₂ deficiency in India.     

Analytical methods for detecting pesticide switches with evolution of pesticide resistance

After a pest develops resistance to a pesticide, switching between different unrelated pesticides is a common management option, but this raises the following questions: (1) What is the optimal frequency of pesticide use? (2) How do the frequencies of pesticide applications affect the evolution of pesticide resistance? (3) How can the time when the pest population reaches the economic injury level (EIL) be estimated and (4) how can the most efficient frequency of pesticide applications be determined? To address these questions, we have developed a novel pest population growth model incorporating the evolution of pesticide resistance and pulse spraying of pesticides. Moreover, three pesticide switching methods, threshold condition-guided, density-guided and EIL-guided, are modelled, to determine the best choice under different conditions with the overall aim of eradicating the pest or maintaining its population density below the EIL. Furthermore, the pest control outcomes based on those three pesticide switching methods are discussed. Our results suggest that either the density-guided or EIL-guided method is the optimal pesticide switching strategy, depending on the frequency (or period) of pesticide applications.