系统发育谱（Phylogenetic Profile）生成软件

系统发育谱生成软件（Phylogenetie Profile Generator，PPG）采用Microsoft Visual Basic和Perl两种语言编写，将枸建系统发育谱所涉及的全部过程进行集成，用户只需提供原始的蛋白或核酸序列，软件即可生成所需的系统发育谱，并提供文本和XML两种形式的输出结果。软件具有Windows和Limix两个版本，可提供免费下载。软件下载地址：http：/／life．cnu．edu．cn／kexueyjshow．php？id=56     

Gallium-68 : considérations pratiques pour le succès des applications cliniques au sein d’un service de médecine nucléaire

Gallium-68 is a radionuclide, which has, because of its favorable physical characteristics similar to those of fluorine-18, gained a great interest for labeling PET tracers. Furthermore, it is available onsite at the radiopharmacy, by elution of a ⁶⁸Ge/⁶⁸Ga generator that has a shelf life of around one year, which approximates the versatility of 99mTc in the labeling of tracers for scintigraphy. After a brief historical overview, this article lists the necessary equipment and components, and the choices to be made (currently and in the near future) to implement, in a radiopharmacy, ⁶⁸Ga-labelling of PET tracers for a nuclear medicine department.     

MatriX Generator （MG）：一个基于DNA片段的0／1矩阵生成程序

分子群体遗传学研究的特点是取样量人——存在于群体样本中的遗传变异必须要充分代表该群体和该物种的遗传变异量及分析的位点数多——位点样本必须恰当代表基因组。大样本的群体取样和位点取样产生大量的原始数据,使原始数据人工处理非常困难甚至不可能,从而迫切需要原始数据处理的自动化。目前一些大公司提供的凝胶图像收集仪器和配套的软件已经使原始数据的获取基本上自动化或半自动化。获得DNA片段分子量数据后,必须把这些分子量数据转变成可反映操作单位(样本)之间关系的数据矩阵,原来用于计算分子量的那些软件已不实用或派不上用场。目前,除了用于fAFLP的Binthere弥补了部分不足外,还没有此类软件。Binthere存在固定栏宽(Bin)的缺陷,也就是将分子量最大值与最小值之间等分的方法来归纳不同操作单位(OUT)之间的异同,使得分子量绝对值差很小的数据可能被归入不同的栏,导致结果不正确。为了解决这类问题,我们设计编写了一个新的软件,取名为Matrix Generator (MG)。与同类软件相比,MG具有两个主要优点：(1)采用动态栏宽和智能归并算法,克服了固定栏宽可能造成的错误：(2)可用于非荧光标记的分子标记技术。MG的基本思路是：分子量差异越小的片段,越可能是同缘片段,越应该处于相同的栏内。为此,我们采用绝对对应的动态过程。也就是说,从最小分子量到最大分子量之间的栏目数不是事先确定,而是由所分析的所有样品的特点和所使用的凝胶的分辨率(用户根据凝胶的特点给出数值)决定的。当两片段的差异小于凝胶所能达到的分辨率时,两片段被认为是同缘片段而归入相同的栏内。归并的过程从差异最小值开始,直至任意两片段的差异都大于凝胶的分辨率为止。这样就排除了同缘片段被隔离或者非同缘片段被合并的错误,从而使最可能同缘的片段归结在同一位点。MG第一版(v1．0,DOS版)集中体现了实用和易用的优点而没有包含同类软件所具有的一些功能,所以MG必须与其他软件结合使用。对于非荧光标记的分子标记技术,如RAPD、RFLP、AFLP等,可用Quantity One等软件得到分子量,用Excel生成样品与(分子量数据代表的)DNA片段矩阵,然后用MG处理。对于荧光标记的分子标记技术,如fAFIP、fSSR等,除可以用Excel牛成矩阵外,可直接用Binthere和Genotyper等生成分子量矩阵,然后用MG处理。MG输出的矩阵经过适当编辑后,就可用后续的软件如Paup、Ntsys、Philip等运算。为了检验MG的有效性,我们用六道木属(Abelia)的AFIJP分析数据进行检验,14个样品的DNA片段分别用Binthere和MG进行处理。前者得到295个含信息的位点,后者得到210个含信息的位点。用Nei and Li (1979)的算法分别计算距离矩阵并对两距离矩阵作Mantel检验。结果,两矩阵之间存在一定的差别,但相似性系数高达0．941 63,说明两种方法总体上会得到相似的结果,但局部会有所不同。用Paup对两矩阵作进一步分析,生成两个Neighbor-joining (NJ)树。结果表明,MG生成的数据更符合实际情况,而且分辨率高。     

动物的失匹配负波研究进展

失匹配负波（MMN）是由重复刺激序列（即标准刺激）中偶然出现的、与标准刺激有可辨别差异的偏差刺激所诱发的一种持续时间较短、极性为负的事件相关电位（ERP）。失匹配负波在人类和动物中普遍存在,并可在视、听、嗅等多种模态中诱发,其出现不依赖于注意,所以反映了大脑对知觉环境变化的自动感知,对动物的生存与繁殖成功至关重要。本文对不同类群动物失匹配负波研究、失匹配负波产生机制、发生源以及影响因素进行了综述,旨在厘清该生理指标的优势与不足,为动物认知潜在机制研究提供有益参考。最后文章对动物失匹配负波未来研究方向提出了展望。     

Do all patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillator need a generator change? A health service evaluation of patients who underwent generator changes from a single tertiary center

BackgroundThe patient characteristics, therapy received and outcomes after one or more implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) generator changes from contemporary practice is not well known.MethodsWe conducted a health service evaluation of patients who underwent ICD implantation and generator change. Patients who had generator changes from February 2016 to October 2019 were identified from our database and electronic records were reviewed for patient characteristics, number of generator changes, receipt of therapy and death.ResultsOur database included 88 patients with a generator change. A total of 22 patients (25.0%) received dual chamber ICD, 10 patients (11.4%) received single chamber ICD, 54 patients (61.3%) received cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator and 2 patients (2.3%) received subcutaneous ICD. A second generator change occurred in 18 patients and a third generator changes was performed in 6 patients. There were 29 deaths and a follow up period of 9.4 ± 2.9 years. From implant to initial generator change 39 patients had appropriate antitachycardia pacing (ATP), 6 patient had inappropriate ATP, 29 patients had appropriate shocks and 5 patients had an inappropriate shock. Between the 1st and 2nd generator change and the 2nd and 3rd there were no cases of inappropriate ATP or shock. Overall, 42 patients out of the 88 had appropriate therapy (47.7%) and 7 patients had inappropriate therapy (8.0%).ConclusionsMost patients with ICDs do not receive therapy and a minority have inappropriate therapy which typically occur before the first generator change as we observed no inappropriate therapy beyond the first generator change.     

Matrix Generator(MG):一个基于DNA片段的0/1矩阵生成程序

分子群体遗传学研究的特点是取样量大--存在于群体样本中的遗传变异必须要充分代表该群体和该物种的遗传变异量及分析的位点数多--位点样本必须恰当代表基因组.大样本的群体取样和位点取样产生大量的原始数据,使原始数据人工处理非常困难甚至不可能,从而迫切需要原始数据处理的自动化.目前一些大公司提供的凝胶图像收集仪器和配套的软件已经使原始数据的获取基本上自动化或半自动化.获得DNA片段分子量数据后,必须把这些分子量数据转变成可反映操作单位(样本)之间关系的数据矩阵,原来用于计算分子量的那些软件已不实用或派不上用场.目前,除了用于fAFLP的Binthere弥补了部分不足外,还没有此类软件.Binthere存在固定栏宽(Bin)的缺陷,也就是将分子量最大值与最小值之间等分的方法来归纳不同操作单位(OUT)之间的异同,使得分子量绝对值差很小的数据可能被归入不同的栏,导致结果不正确.为了解决这类问题,我们设计编写了一个新的软件,取名为Matrix Generator(MG).与同类软件相比,MG具有两个主要优点:(1)采用动态栏宽和智能归并算法,克服了固定栏宽可能造成的错误;(2)可用于非荧光标记的分子标记技术.MG的基本思路是:分子量差异越小的片段,越可能是同缘片段,越应该处于相同的栏内.为此,我们采用绝对对应的动态过程.也就是说,从最小分子量到最大分子量之间的栏目数不是事先确定,而是由所分析的所有样品的特点和所使用的凝胶的分辨率(用户根据凝胶的特点给出数值)决定的.当两片段的差异小于凝胶所能达到的分辨率时,两片段被认为是同缘片段而归入相同的栏内.归并的过程从差异最小值开始,直至任意两片段的差异都大于凝胶的分辨率为止.这样就排除了同缘片段被隔离或者非同缘片段被合并的错误,从而使最可能同缘的片段归结在同一位点.MG第一版(V1.0,DOS版)集中体现了实用和易用的优点而没有包含同类软件所具有的一些功能,所以MG必须与其他软件结合使用.对于非荧光标记的分子标记技术,如RAPD、RFLP、AFLP等,可用Quantity One等软件得到分子量,用Excel生成样品与(分子量数据代表的)DNA片段矩阵,然后用MG处理.对于荧光标记的分子标记技术,如fAFLP、fSSR等,除可以用Excel生成矩阵外,可直接用Binthere和Genotyper等生成分子量矩阵,然后用MG处理.MG输出的矩阵经过适当编辑后,就可用后续的软件如Paup、Ntsys、Philip等运算.为了检验MG的有效性,我们用六道木属(Abelia)的AFLP分析数据进行检验,14个样品的DNA片段分别用Binthere和MG进行处理.前者得到295个含信息的位点,后者得到210个含信息的位点.用Nei and Li(1979)的算法分别计算距离矩阵并对两距离矩阵作Mantel检验.结果,两矩阵之间存在一定的差别,但相似性系数高达0.941 63,说明两种方法总体上会得到相似的结果,但局部会有所不同.用Paup对两矩阵作进一步分析,生成两个Neighbor-joining(NJ)树.结果表明,MG生成的数据更符合实际情况,而且分辨率高.     

Resolving the dynamics of EEG generators by multichannel recordings

The voltage recorded over the cortex (ECoG) or over the scalp (EEG) is generated by currents derived from many sources called “generators”. Different patterns and amplitudes are observed in aroused, sleepy, epileptic or other brain states. Differences in amplitude are generally attributed to differences in synchrony among generators. The degree of EEG synchrony is measured by the correlation between electrodes placed over different cortical regions. We present a new way to quantitatively assess the degree of synchronization of these generators via multichannel recordings. We illustrate how situations where there are several groups of generators with different inter-group and intra-group synchronies can be analyzed. Finally, we present a way to identify the organization of groups exhibiting topographic organization. Although the model presented here is highly simplified, several methods are based on averaging activity over increasingly larger areas. These types of measurements may be applied as well to EEG and ECoG recordings.     

On a standing wave Central Pattern Generator and the coherence problem

An electrophysiological phenomenon running up and down the spine, elicited by light pressure contact at very precise points and thereafter taking the external appearance of an undulatory motion of the spine, is analyzed from its standing wave, coherence, and synchronization-at-a-distance properties. This standing spinal wave can be elicited in both normal and quadriplegic subjects, which demonstrates that the neuronal circuitry is embedded in the spine. The latter, along with the inherent rhythmicity of the motion, its wave properties, and the absence of external sensory input once the phenomenon is elicited reveal a Central Pattern Generator (CPG). The major investigative tool is surface electromyographic (sEMG) wavelet signal analysis at various points along the paraspinal muscles. Statistical correlation among the various points is used to establish the standing wave phenomenon on a specific subband of the Daubechies wavelet decomposition of the sEMG signals. More precisely, 10 Hz coherent bursts reveal synchronization between sensory-motor loops at a distance larger, and a frequency slower, than those already reported. As a potential therapeutic application, it is shown that partial recovery from spinal cord injury can be assessed by the correlation between the sEMG signals on both sides of the injury.     

Sensitivity threshold and response characteristics of infrared detection in the beetle Melanophila acuminata (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)

The minimum detection threshold of the infrared sensitive beetle, Melanophila acuminata, was measured with a helium-neon laser that emitted light at a wavelength of 3.39 microm. Extracellular recordings were taken both at the pit organ responsible for detection and at the interganglionic connectives in the thorax of the beetle. At the pit organ, generator and action potentials from single neurons were measured with a sharpened tungsten electrode. At the connectives that linked the fused second meso-/metathoracic and prothoracic ganglia, compound action potentials were measured with a tungsten hook electrode that encircled the connective. The latter recordings confirmed conveyance of infrared information through specific pathways to rostrally-situated sites in the nervous system of the beetle. The 50% probability irradiance threshold at which action potentials were elicited from the receptor and connectives occurred at 17.3 and 14.6 mW/cm(2), respectively. In addition to sensitivity threshold, several other characteristics of the response were quantified including dependence of generator potential latency, generator potential duration, spike frequency, and spike latency on irradiance, dependence of response strength (spike count) on exposure time, and flicker fusion frequency. The ability to detect infrared radiation is rare in nature, and these results provide valuable information necessary to understand this unique sensitivity.     

Coalescent patterns in diploid exchangeable population models

A class of two-sex population models is considered with N females and equal number N of males constituting each generation. Reproduction is assumed to undergo three stages: 1) random mating, 2) exchangeable reproduction, 3) random sex assignment. Treating individuals as pairs of genes at a certain locus we introduce the diploid ancestral process (the past genealogical tree) for n such genes sampled in the current generation. Neither mutation nor selection are assumed. A convergence criterium for the diploid ancestral process is proved as N goes to infinity while n remains unchanged. Conditions are specified when the limiting process (coalescent) is the Kingman coalescent and situations are discussed when the coalescent allows for multiple mergers of ancestral lines.Work supported by the Bank of Sweden Tercentenary Foundation.Mathematics Subject Classification (2000):Primary 92F25, 60J70; Secondary 92D15, 60F17