The Preliminary Study on DNA Barcoding of Mosses——A Case of Part of Genera of Meteoriaceae

We compared the performances of the candidate loci for moss DNA barcoding and the primers used in amplifying the loci. Primers for three coded loci (matK, rps4 and rbcL a) and four non coded loci (atpB rbcL, atpF H, psbK I and trnH psbA) of the chloroplast genome, one from the mitochondrial genome (nad5), and one from the nucleus genome (ITS2) were evaluated. Seventy four samples representing 14 species belonging to five genera of Trachypodoaceae (or Meteoriaceae) were screened. All primers for matK and a pair of primers for trnH psbA failed. Low successes were encountered with the primers for atpF H and psbK I. The primers for psbK I produced several bands and the PCR products of atpF H were difficult to sequence. The powers of the remaining six loci were compared using the variability, identification success and the resolutions. It was found that ITS2 is the most promising candidate for DNA barcoding for mosses. Among the chloroplast genes, atpB rbcL exhibited the highest resolution. Although trnH psbA is very variable, it is too short to be an ideal barcode alone. Combinations of chloroplast genes were also tried and Ps of both atpB rbcL+trnH psbA and rbcL a++trnH psbA were 64% using NJ method. More additions of loci did not increase the resolution. No barcoding gap exists for all these loci. Phylogenetic analyses were carried out prior to the DNA barcoding evaluation and some taxonomic problems do exist. This study exemplifies the necessity of correct species delimitation and the adoption of both plastid and nuclear loci in plant DNA barcoding.     

Applications——Influence of Biology on Engineering

Examples are presented showing the way in which biological systems produce a range of functions which can be implemented in engineering, such as feedback-control of stiffness （muscles and nervous system）, the design of fault-free structures （trees） and damage-tolerant materials （wood） and high performance insulation （penguin feathers） and shock absorbers （hedgehog spines）.     

The Best of Both Worlds——Building Gardens With a Sense of Place

The last decade in China has been a period of great growth and renewal. More and more public garden has been built, many those gardens are built with Western-influenced styles and lack of Chinese factor. A garden with a strong sense of place will clearly put the visitor in a specific locality by astute use of design to support a distinctive regional character. Here the author gives several examples of famous gardens about how to keep the sense of place and try to give some useful suggestion on Chinese garden build.     

Subtyping of haptoglobin — Presentation of a new method

Summary A method is described for large scale routine phenotyping of haptoglobin (Hp) which allows complete subtyping without prior purification of the Hp molecule. The procedure includes polyacrylamide gel isoelectric focusing of reduced, neuraminidase treated serum or plasma samples, and nitrocellulose blots developed with the immunoperoxidase technique. Different variables including sample treatment, electrofocusing, blotting procedures, and immunoperoxidase visualization are discussed.Characteristic -chain patterns allow identification of the common allotypes 2FS, 2SS, 2FF, IS, IF, and Johnson. Isoelectric variations in the -chain may also be recognized. For comparison, two-dimensional Hp-patterns are presented. The results from concurrent typing of 600 samples by ordinary starch gel electrophoresis and by the described isofocusing technique, are evaluated.     

The Best of Both Worlds——Building Gardens With a Sense of Place

The last decade in China has been a period of great growth and renewal. More and more public garden has been built, many those gardens are built with Western-influenced styles and lack of Chinese factor. A garden with a strong sense of place will clearly put the visitor in a specific locality by astute use of design to support a distinctive regional character. Here the author gives several examples of famous gardens about how to keep the sense of place and try to give some useful suggestion on Chinese garden build.     

MD — Simulation of Diffusion of Methane in Zeolites of Type LTA

Using molecular dynamical computer simulations (MD) the dynamics of kinetic processes in zeolites will be discussed on a molecular level. Small changes in lattice parameters can cause dramatical changes in the diffusion coefficient. The presence of cations Na⁺, Ca²⁺ also strongly influences the diffusion. Changes of the self-diffusivities will be discussed that appear if a vibrating lattice instead of a rigid one is used. Nonequilibrium simulations show the correlation between transport-diffusion and self-diffusion in zeolites.     

Validation of biomarkers of food intake—critical assessment of candidate biomarkers

Biomarkers of food intake (BFIs) are a promising tool for limiting misclassification in nutrition research where more subjective dietary assessment instruments are used. They may also be used to assess compliance to dietary guidelines or to a dietary intervention. Biomarkers therefore hold promise for direct and objective measurement of food intake. However, the number of comprehensively validated biomarkers of food intake is limited to just a few. Many new candidate biomarkers emerge from metabolic profiling studies and from advances in food chemistry. Furthermore, candidate food intake biomarkers may also be identified based on extensive literature reviews such as described in the guidelines for Biomarker of Food Intake Reviews (BFIRev). To systematically and critically assess the validity of candidate biomarkers of food intake, it is necessary to outline and streamline an optimal and reproducible validation process. A consensus-based procedure was used to provide and evaluate a set of the most important criteria for systematic validation of BFIs. As a result, a validation procedure was developed including eight criteria, plausibility, dose-response, time-response, robustness, reliability, stability, analytical performance, and inter-laboratory reproducibility. The validation has a dual purpose: (1) to estimate the current level of validation of candidate biomarkers of food intake based on an objective and systematic approach and (2) to pinpoint which additional studies are needed to provide full validation of each candidate biomarker of food intake. This position paper on biomarker of food intake validation outlines the second step of the BFIRev procedure but may also be used as such for validation of new candidate biomarkers identified, e.g., in food metabolomic studies.     

The Chinese garden of genetics——celebrating 40~(th) anniversary of Genetics Society of China

正In 2018,we will celebrate the 40~(th) anniversary of Genetics Society of China(GSC),which was founded in Nanjing,China in October,1978,soon after China adopted an open door policy for reform.One major mission of GSC during its inception was to publish a genetics journal,aiming to provide a window for Chinese geneticists to showcase their new discoveries.In fact,a genetics journal named Acta Genetica Sinica(AGS)had been published since June of 1974(Fig.1).This journal pub-     

Effect of Bcl—2 and caspase—3 on calcium distribution in apoptosis of HL—60 cells

Apoptosis manifests in two major execution programs downstream of the death signal:the caspase pathway and organelle dysfunction.An important antiapoptosis factor,Bcl-2 protein,contributes in caspase pathway of apoptosis.Calcium,an important intracellular signal element in cells,is also observed to have changes during apoptosis,which maybe affected by Bcl-2 protein.We have previously reported that in Harringtonine (HT) induced apoptosis of HL-60 cells,there‘s change of intracellular calcium distribution,oving from cytoplast especially Golgi‘s apparatus to nucleus and accumulating there with the highest concentration.We report here that caspase-3 becomes activated in HT-induced apoptosis of HL-60 cells,which can be inhibited by overexpression of Bcl-2 protein.No sign of apoptosis or intracellular calcium movement from Golgi‘s apparatus to nucleus in HL-60 cells overexpressing Bcl-2 or treated with Ac-DEVD-CHO,a specific inhibitor of caspase-3.The results indicate that activated caspase-2 can promote the movement of intracellular calcium from Golgi‘s apparatus to nucleus,and the process is inhibited by Ac-DEVD-CHO(inhibitor of caspase-3),and that Bcl-2 can inhibit the movement and accumulation of intracellular calcium in nucleus through its inhibition on caspase-3.Calcium relocalization in apoptosis seems to be irreversible,which is different from the intracellular calcium changes caused by growth factor.     

POSTTHROMBOPHLEBITIC SYNDROME—Rehabilitation of Patients

A common cause of disability in industrial workers is the postthrombophlebitic syndrome. Swelling of one or both lower extremities may require frequent rest periods during the day for relief. The disabling symptoms are aching, burning, heaviness, and bursting or throbbing pains in the legs. The nights are often disturbed by restlessness of the legs in which it is difficult to find a comfortable position to sleep. It follows from a few days to even years an inflammation of the veins of the legs.Treatment is directed at reducing the swelling of the legs. This often necessitates a change in the patient''s routine of daily living. Frequent rest periods are often required with the legs in the horizontal position. Elastic bandages or stockings must be worn, and drugs must be taken to improve blood flow. The adjustment is necessary not only at work, but also at home.If the patient cannot continue at his previous job, efforts should be made to place him in a new job where the necessary adjustments can be made. This is possible primarily in industries manufacturing small items such as instruments, toys and appliances.