Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in human peripheral blood neutrophils exposed in vitro to static magnetic field

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of gradient static magnetic field (SMF) on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in human neutrophils in peripheral blood in vitro. Blood samples collected from healthy individuals were incubated in an inhomogeneous SMF (in a south or north pole of the field) for 15, 30 or 45 minutes. The maximum value of induction (B _max) amounted to ≈ 60 mT. To determine the strength of the ROS production, dihydrorhodamine (123DHR) as fluorophore and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) as respiratory burst stimulator were used. 123DHR oxidation by ROS was measured by flow cytometry. The exposure of blood samples to SMF induced statistically significant changes in ROS production in unstimulated and PMA-stimulated neutrophils. The observed effects were highly correlated with the exposure time and depended on the orientation of the field. Although intracellular mechanisms underlying such interactions are not thoroughly understood, it could be presumed that SMF affects ROS metabolic oscillations and their formation and inactivation. This study emphasizes the importance of proper adjustment of exposure time to SMF for any potential therapeutic applications.     

Nearest Neighbours: Estimators for Heterogeneity

Papadakis' method is shown to be an example of an estimation procedure for a heterogeneity function localized in a reproducing kernel Hilbert space. Within this framework some current models for the evaluation of field trials are discussed.     

Activity-dependent changes of the hippocampal CA3–CA1 synapse during the acquisition of associative learning in conscious mice

Contemporary neuroscientists are paying increasing attention to subcellular, molecular and electrophysiological mechanisms underlying learning and memory processes. Recent efforts have addressed the development of transgenic mice affected at different stages of the learning process, or emulating pathological conditions involving cognition and motor-learning capabilities. However, a parallel effort is needed to develop stimulating and recording techniques suitable for use in behaving mice, in order to grasp activity-dependent neural changes taking place during the very moment of the process. These in vivo models should integrate the fragmentary information collected by different molecular and in vitro approaches. In this regard, long-term potentiation (LTP) has been proposed as the neural mechanism underlying synaptic plasticity. Moreover, N -methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) receptors are accepted as the molecular substrate of LTP. It now seems necessary to study the relationship of both LTP and NMDA receptors with the plastic changes taking place, in selected neural structures, during actual learning. Here, we review data on the involvement of the hippocampal CA3–CA1 synapse in the acquisition of classically conditioned eyelid conditioned responses (CRs) in behaving mice. Available data show that LTP, evoked by high-frequency stimulation of Schaffer collaterals, disturbs both the acquisition of CRs and the physiological changes that occur at the CA3–CA1 synapse during learning. Moreover, the administration of NMDA-receptor antagonists is able not only to prevent LTP induction in vivo , but also to hinder the formation of both CRs and functional changes in strength of the CA3–CA1 synapse. Thus, there is experimental evidence relating activity-dependent synaptic changes taking place during actual learning with LTP mechanisms and with the role of NMDA receptors in both processes.     

Detection of genetic variants affecting cattle behaviour and their impact on milk production: a genome‐wide association study

Behaviour traits of cattle have been reported to affect important production traits, such as meat quality and milk performance as well as reproduction and health. Genetic predisposition is, together with environmental stimuli, undoubtedly involved in the development of behaviour phenotypes. Underlying molecular mechanisms affecting behaviour in general and behaviour and productions traits in particular still have to be studied in detail. Therefore, we performed a genome‐wide association study in an F₂ Charolais × German Holstein cross‐breed population to identify genetic variants that affect behaviour‐related traits assessed in an open‐field and novel‐object test and analysed their putative impact on milk performance. Of 37 201 tested single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs), four showed a genome‐wide and 37 a chromosome‐wide significant association with behaviour traits assessed in both tests. Nine of the SNPs that were associated with behaviour traits likewise showed a nominal significant association with milk performance traits. On chromosomes 14 and 29, six SNPs were identified to be associated with exploratory behaviour and inactivity during the novel‐object test as well as with milk yield traits. Least squares means for behaviour and milk performance traits for these SNPs revealed that genotypes associated with higher inactivity and less exploratory behaviour promote higher milk yields. Whether these results are due to molecular mechanisms simultaneously affecting behaviour and milk performance or due to a behaviour predisposition, which causes indirect effects on milk performance by influencing individual reactivity, needs further investigation.     

Combined effect of X‐ray radiation and static magnetic fields on reactive oxygen species in rat lymphocytes in vitro

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of static magnetic fields (SMF) on reactive oxygen species induced by X‐ray radiation. The experiments were performed on lymphocytes from male albino Wistar rats. After exposure to 3 Gy X‐ray radiation (with a dose rate of 560 mGy/min) the measurement of intracellular reactive oxygen species in lymphocytes, using a fluorescent probe, was done before exposure to the SMF, and after 15 min, 1 and 2 h of exposure to the SMF or a corresponding incubation time. For SMF exposure, 0 mT (50 µT magnetic field induction opposite to the geomagnetic field) and 5 mT fields were chosen. The trend of SMF effects for 0 mT was always opposite that of 5 mT. The first one decreased the rate of fluorescence change, while the latter one increased it. Bioelectromagnetics 34:333–336, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

退耕地人工植物群落根系生态位及其分布特征

根系生态位研究是全面掌握植物群落特性、种间搭配以及生态功能的重要科学问题。其测度方式、分布特征、影响因素等方面内容,对于合理指导退耕还林还草工程十分必要。将植物群落根系视为“标准地”,分布于每个土体层次的每个径级根系视为“植物种”。根量、根长、根数作为“植物种”的观测变量,仿照群落生态学方法,提出了一种综合计算根系生态位指数的方法。即将整个研究区域作为一个系统．将这一系统中所有植物群落。统一选用指标最大值。在纵向(即相对于指标维的不同指标)用上限效果测度公式统一进行归一化处理,然后在横向(土层、径级间。简称层径级)进行合并运算,得出层径级根系参数,这一参数定义为层径级根系生态位指数;而将某一群落各层径级生态位指数之和,定义为植物群落根系生态位指数。从而使区域内所有植物群落间具有可比性。使用这一方法,对国家退耕还林还草科技试验县——青海省大通县退耕地人工植物群落根系进行了系统研究。研究结果表明,根系生态位垂直空间分布大多数为典型的表层聚积型,表土层0～20cm根系生态位指数明显高于其它层次。植物群落根系比单一种群或纯林根系具有更高的生态位指数。根系生态位径级分布包括J型、反J型、S型和U型。J型多为粗根一深根型植物群落根系,反J型为细根一浅根型植物群落根系,S型和U型为上述2种类型之间的过渡型。根系生态位指数与植物群落地上部分鲜重生物量、根系丰富度呈显著正相关。退耕地植物群落根系的生态位指数较为接近天然植被,明显高于农作物根系。青海云杉 中国沙棘、中国沙棘、青海云杉等3种植物配置模式更有利于退耕地植物根系生态位的恢复。实施退耕还林还草工程是有效增加根系生态位、提高根系多方面功能的重要途径。     

稻鸭共生对稻田水生动物群落的影响

通过稻田共生的田间试验,利用水生动物取样的方法,对稻鸭共生中稻田水生动物的种类及数量进行定性定量分析。结果表明:各类水生动物的种类数与水的动静有关,放鸭越多,种类数越少,水源区最少,为15种;且稻田水生动物种类出现频次的分布符合C.R aunk iaer频度定律。各类水生动物的数目和生物量均按水源区、对照区、少鸭区、多鸭区的顺序下降。用M arga lef多样性指数公式计算各处理的多样性指数,以对照稻田的多样性指数2.15为最高,水源区和放鸭的稻田均不高,放鸭越多,多样性指数越低。     

电场驱动微悬臂生物传感器及对DNA 的快速、高灵敏度检测

微悬臂列阵传感器在生物检测方面具有快速、痕量和非标记的特性. 我们以镀金并在其上固定了 DNA 探针的微悬臂为正极,在靶杂交液槽内引入另一电极作为负极,构成电场驱动微悬臂 DNA 生物传感器. 对该传感器系统施加静电场,驱动 DNA 分子朝正极迁移,使溶液中的 DNA 分子富集在微悬臂上,促进 DNA 分子的杂交. 结果表明： a. DNA 在微悬臂上的杂交时间仅需 3 min,加快了微悬臂生物传感器对 DNA 分子的检测速度; b. 提高了微悬臂生物传感器的灵敏度,可以检测到皮克级的 DNA 分子.     

Reaction of haem containing proteins and enzymes with hydroperoxides: The radical view

The reaction between hydroperoxides and the haem group of proteins and enzymes is important for the function of many enzymes but has also been implicated in a number of pathological conditions where oxygen binding proteins interact with hydrogen peroxide or other peroxides. The haem group in the oxidized Fe³⁺ (ferric) state reacts with hydroperoxides with a formation of the Fe⁴⁺=O (oxoferryl) haem state and a free radical primarily located on the π-system of the haem. The radical is then transferred to an amino acid residue of the protein and undergoes further transfer and transformation processes. The free radicals formed in this reaction are reviewed for a number of proteins and enzymes. Their previously published EPR spectra are analysed in a comparative way. The radicals directly detected in most systems are tyrosyl radicals and the peroxyl radicals formed on tryptophan and possibly cysteine. The locations of the radicals in the proteins have been reported as follows: Tyr133 in soybean leghaemoglobin; αTyr42, αTrp14, βTrp15, βCys93, (αTyr24−αHis20), all in the α- and β-subunits of human haemoglobin; Tyr103, Tyr151 and Trp14 in sperm whale myoglobin; Tyr103, Tyr146 and Trp14 in horse myoglobin; Trp14, Tyr103 and Cys110 in human Mb. The sequence of events leading to radical formation, transformation and transfer, both intra- and intermolecularly, is considered. The free radicals induced by peroxides in the enzymes are reviewed. Those include: lignin peroxidase, cytochrome c peroxidase, cytochrome c oxidase, turnip isoperoxidase 7, bovine catalase, two isoforms of prostaglandin H synthase, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Synechocystis PCC6803 catalase-peroxidases.     

Population size and fire intensity determine post‐fire abundance in grassland lichens

Questions: What is the variability in abundance of lichens on grassland soil between and within fields after prescribed fire? Is post‐fire lichen abundance an effect of pre‐fire population size? Location: Cedar Creek Natural History Area, Minnesota, USA. Methods: Lichen abundance, estimated as ground cover and dominated by Cladonia spp., was mapped in plots in two fields before prescribed burning on 06.10.2003 and 15.10.2003 for the first time since abandonment in the 1950s. The plots were resurveyed one year post‐fire. Results: Post‐fire cover of Cladonia spp. varied strongly between the fields, most likely due to different weather conditions between the burn events, which resulted in different fire intensities, one of low and one of high intensity. In the field that experienced the low intensity fire, post‐fire cover of Cladonia spp. was still relatively high, and showed a positive relationship with pre‐fire cover, while no such relationship was found after the high intensity fire. In that field Cladonia spp. experienced high mortality rates irrespective of pre‐fire cover. Conclusions: This study provides an example of how species response to disturbance can be a function of population size, but that this relationship can be non‐linear; lichens in grassland can survive a low intensity fire proportionally to pre‐fire population size, but experience high mortality rates above a fire intensity threshold. The applications of these results are that fire intensity matters to species response to prescribed fire, and that the persistence of climax lichen communities and biodiversity in the study system needs a broad range of fire intervals.