Endopolyploidization and the interstitial invasion of the supergiant trophoblast cells of the field vole Microtus rossiaemeridionalis

The supergiant trophoblast cells characteristic of vole placenta prove to be highly invasive being found at the boundary of the decidualized endometrium and myometrium. Their size (100 μm and higher) suggests them to be highly polyploid, though their ploidy was not determined by now. We performed determination of the ploidy level of the supergiant trophoblast cells (SuGT) in order to verify whether the highly polyploid trophoblast cells are capable of deep intrauterine invasion. Anti-Cytokeratin trophoblast immunolabelling were performed to estimate the ways of the SuGT migration. DNA content measurement with help of image analysis was performed at the series of Feulgen-stained sections of the SuGT nuclei. The SuGT were observed to migrate through the endometrial stroma reaching myometrium. Most of the cells corresponded to 2048c-8192c; the maximum level was 16384c comparable to the salivary glands of Drosophila. The nuclei contained bundles of non-classic polytene chromosomes. At the final steps of differentiation when SuGT reach myometrium, the bundles of polytene chromosomes disintegrate into multiple separate endochromosomes. The supergiant trophoblast cells in Microtus rossiaemeridionalis represent an example of highly polyploid cells capable of deep intrauterine invasion.     

大蒜素对铜绿假单胞菌生物膜形成的影响及结构定量化分析

目的利用激光共聚焦显微镜（Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy, CLSM）观察大蒜素对铜绿假单胞菌PA01菌株生物膜（biofilms,BF）形成过程的影响,并用ISA（Image Structure Analyzer）软件对BF结构进行定量化分析。方法体外建立1d．3d和7d组PA01菌株BF模型,每组分3小组,分别用生理盐水、大蒜素128μg／mL、大蒜素10μg／mL作用6h。通过荧光探针SYT09／PI标记,利用CLSM进行动态观察,并用ISA软件对其BF结构进行定量分析。结果（1）生理盐水对照组铜绿假单胞菌生物膜厚度随时间的增加而增加,但在后3d增加的速度减慢;同时区域孔率（Areal Porosity,AP）呈下降趋势,平均扩散距离（Average Diffusion Distance,ADD）有逐渐增加趋势,结构熵（Textural Entropy,TE）有增加的趋势。（2）7d组模型中,大蒜素128μg／mL作用后,BF厚度由（28．83±0．67）μm减低到（16．50±0．69）μm;AP由0．76±0．10增加到0．92±0．02;TE由6．78±0．93减低到5．61±0．55。10μg／mL大蒜素干预后,有同样趋势,但效应不如高浓度明显。（3）1d、3d模型组,大蒜素作用后同对照组相比,厚度、AP、TE的差异均有统计学意义,趋势同7d组。结论通过ISA软件对干预前后的BF进行结构定量分析,大蒜素对各个时间段BF的形成均有影响,高浓度效果更显著。     

A flow chamber assay for quantitative evaluation of bacterial surface colonization used to investigate the influence of temperature and surface hydrophilicity on the biofilm forming capacity of uropathogenic Escherichia coli

We have established a simple flow chamber-based procedure which provides an accurate and reproducible way to measure the amount of biofilm formed on an implantable biomaterial surface. The method enables the side-by-side evaluation of different materials under hydrodynamic flow conditions similar to those found on an implanted device. We have used the method to evaluate the biofilm forming capacity of clinically isolated Escherichia coli on silicone rubber and on silicone rubber containing a hydrophilic coating. It was found that the surface chemistry influenced the colonization of the isolates very differently. In addition, the temperature was found to have a considerable influence upon the adhesion and biofilm forming capacity of some of the isolates, and that the influence of surface chemistry depended on temperature. Our results suggest that the step from using E. coli laboratory strains to clinical isolates entails a significant rise in complexity and yields results that cannot be generalized. The results should be valuable information for researchers working with pre-clinical evaluation of device-associated E. coli infections.     

A patient-specific approach for quantitative and automatic analysis of computed tomography images in lung disease: Application to COVID-19 patients

PurposeQuantitative metrics in lung computed tomography (CT) images have been widely used, often without a clear connection with physiology. This work proposes a patient-independent model for the estimation of well-aerated volume of lungs in CT images (WAVE).MethodsA Gaussian fit, with mean (Mu.f) and width (Sigma.f) values, was applied to the lower CT histogram data points of the lung to provide the estimation of the well-aerated lung volume (WAVE.f). Independence from CT reconstruction parameters and respiratory cycle was analysed using healthy lung CT images and 4DCT acquisitions. The Gaussian metrics and first order radiomic features calculated for a third cohort of COVID-19 patients were compared with those relative to healthy lungs. Each lung was further segmented in 24 subregions and a new biomarker derived from Gaussian fit parameter Mu.f was proposed to represent the local density changes.ResultsWAVE.f resulted independent from the respiratory motion in 80% of the cases. Differences of 1%, 2% and up to 14% resulted comparing a moderate iterative strength and FBP algorithm, 1 and 3 mm of slice thickness and different reconstruction kernel. Healthy subjects were significantly different from COVID-19 patients for all the metrics calculated. Graphical representation of the local biomarker provides spatial and quantitative information in a single 2D picture.ConclusionsUnlike other metrics based on fixed histogram thresholds, this model is able to consider the inter- and intra-subject variability. In addition, it defines a local biomarker to quantify the severity of the disease, independently of the observer.     

基于GIS的农田土壤、作物特征空间变异性及其相互关系

The objective of this research was to investigate the variability and the quantitative relationships among soil nutrients and crop growth status and yield. All data were analyzed by both classical statistics and geostatistics based on GIS. Soil properties included soil pH, total N, organic matter, available P and available K, while crop growth status was indicated by SPAD, LAI and SPAD × LAI. All parameters except soll pH exhibited spatial correlation.Soil total N and organic matter, SPAD, LAI and SPAD × LAI were all correlated to rice yield. Kriged interpolation maps provided good indication of the spatial variability in crop yield and growth status. Spatial interpolation and correlation analysis proved that SPAD × LAI was more indicative of crop growth status than individual variables, and useful for implementing growth season and topdressing as needed.     

Cultivable bacterial composition and BIOLOG catabolic diversity of biofilm communities developed on Phragmites australis

Biofilm samples formed on submerged young and old stems of reed, Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin ex Steudel were taken during summer at different sites of Lake Velencei, Hungary. BIOLOG GN microplates were used to analyze the patterns of sole carbon source utilizations by microbial communities. From the carbon sources, carbohydrates and amino acids were preferred by all microbial communities. In the case of the old reed stem samples, higher number of carbohydrates, carboxylic acids and polymers were used than in young samples. Biofilm bacterial communities from the old reed samples of the nature conservation area of the lake used the highest number of (≥50% of the available) substrates. In principal component analysis (PCA), the metabolic potential of the microbial communities from the middle open water region of the lake showed the smallest variability. The variability within metabolic potential of the reed stem microbial communities from a given sampling site was the largest in the case of samples originating from the western, reed-covered nature conservation area. A total of 251 bacterial isolates obtained after serial dilutions and plating onto different media were characterized by traditional phenotypic tests. The strains showed high activities mainly in the hydrolysis of certain biopolymers (gelatine and casein). PCA was used to evaluate the phenotypic variability of strain groups of different sampling sites. The two open water regions were similar to each other, and separated from the western reed covered part of the lake. Similarly to the BIOLOG community-level physiological profiles, strain groups of the young and old reed stem samples originating from the nature conservation area had the largest metabolic potential. On the basis of 16S rDNA sequence analysis, 23 representative strains with different ARDRA patterns were identified. The cultivation-based investigations of bacterial diversity showed characteristic differences in the number of identified taxa in connection with the sampling sites. No characteristic differences could be observed according to medium or sample type (young, first year and more than 1-year old stems) among the identified species. 16S rDNA sequence comparisons resulted in the identification of the genera Aureobacterium, Arthrobacter, Kocuria, Microbacterium, Micrococcus, Rhodococcus, Bacillus, Marinibacillus, Rhodobacter, Defluvibacter, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Serratia and Aeromonas. The results of the cultivation-based and BIOLOG investigations revealed characteristic differences in the bacterial community composition and activities of the open water region and the reed covered nature conservation part of the lake.     

A score test for the linkage analysis of qualitative and quantitative traits based on identity by descent data from sib-pairs

We propose a general likelihood-based approach to the linkage analysis of qualitative and quantitative traits using identity by descent (IBD) data from sib-pairs. We consider the likelihood of IBD data conditional on phenotypes and test the null hypothesis of no linkage between a marker locus and a gene influencing the trait using a score test in the recombination fraction theta between the two loci. This method unifies the linkage analysis of qualitative and quantitative traits into a single inferential framework, yielding a simple and intuitive test statistic. Conditioning on phenotypes avoids unrealistic random sampling assumptions and allows sib-pairs from differing ascertainment mechanisms to be incorporated into a single likelihood analysis. In particular, it allows the selection of sib-pairs based on their trait values and the analysis of only those pairs having the most informative phenotypes. The score test is based on the full likelihood, i.e. the likelihood based on all phenotype data rather than just differences of sib-pair phenotypes. Considering only phenotype differences, as in Haseman and Elston (1972) and Kruglyak and Lander (1995), may result in important losses in power. The linkage score test is derived under general genetic models for the trait, which may include multiple unlinked genes. Population genetic assumptions, such as random mating or linkage equilibrium at the trait loci, are not required. This score test is thus particularly promising for the analysis of complex human traits. The score statistic readily extends to accommodate incomplete IBD data at the test locus, by using the hidden Markov model implemented in the programs MAPMAKER/SIBS and GENEHUNTER (Kruglyak and Lander, 1995; Kruglyak et al., 1996). Preliminary simulation studies indicate that the linkage score test generally matches or outperforms the Haseman-Elston test, the largest gains in power being for selected samples of sib-pairs with extreme phenotypes.     

Comparative endoscopic and SEM analyses and imaging for biofilm growth on porous quartz sand

The paper presents an endoscope technique to provide a non-destructive detection and imaging of biofilms on porous sand grains without disturbing the system. This in situ observation of biofilm growth was carried out by inserting an endoscope into the reactor after introducing the substrate into a water-saturated quartz sand-packed reactor. As the microbes grew on the media surface with time, an expansion was presented in biofilm area. In this way, the growth of biofilm on porous sand grains could be continuously captured. The expanding of the biofilm image was observed, and the biofilm on the sand grains was measured by image analysis of biofilm cross-sections. In order to further identify the biofilm growth, at the end of experiment the packed reactor was dismantled and biofilms along with the aquifer material were sampled for the biofilm growth observation by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The biofilm thickness was also measured by image analysis of biofilm cross-sections. The results demonstrated significant spatial variations in mean biofilm thickness (106.2 ± 12.54 m to 243.5 ± 26.53 m) and thickness variability (0.07–0.12) using image analysis of SEM. However, the mean biofilm thickness measurements done by image analysis of SEM were about 60–82% smaller compared with those by image analysis of endoscopy. This is because of the dehydration and alteration of the biofilm material after dismantling the reactor for SEM observations. In comparison, we found that the endoscope image could provide a first-hand observation of biofilm growth without disrupting the system, while the SEM image could give a better resolution.     

红籽瓜数量性状分析软件的设计与实现

主要介绍了如何使用面向对象技术对红籽瓜数量性状分析软件的设计,阐述了软件的设计过程,代码的编写。实现了对红籽瓜数量性状的分析。     

Interaction of testisin with maspin and its impact on invasion and cell death resistance of cervical cancer cells

Previous studies have shown that testisin promotes malignant transformation in cancer cells. To define the mechanism of testisin-induced carcinogenesis, we performed yeast two-hybrid analysis and identified maspin, a tumor suppressor protein, as a testisin-interacting molecule. The direct interaction and cytoplasmic co-localization of testisin with maspin was confirmed by immunoprecipitation and confocal analysis, respectively. In cervical cancer cells, maspin modulated cell death and invasion; however, these effects were inhibited by testisin in parallel experiments. Of interest, the doxorubicin resistance was dramatically reduced by testisin knockdown (P = 0.016). Moreover, testisin was found to be over-expressed in cervical cancer samples as compared to matched normal cervical tissues. Thus, we postulate that testisin may promote carcinogenesis by inhibiting tumor suppressor activity of maspin.

Structured summary

MINT-7712215, MINT-7712176: Testisin (uniprotkb:Q9Y6M0) binds (MI:0407) to Maspin (uniprotkb:P36952) by pull down (MI:0096)MINT-7712188: Testisin (uniprotkb:Q9Y6M0) and Maspin (uniprotkb:P36952) colocalize (MI:0403) by fluorescence microscopy (MI:0416)MINT-7712115: Testisin (uniprotkb:Q9Y6M0) physically interacts (MI:0915) with Maspin (uniprotkb:P36952) by two-hybrid (MI:0018)MINT-7712162, MINT-7712128: Maspin (uniprotkb:P36952) physically interacts (MI:0915) with Testisin (uniprotkb:Q9Y6M0) by anti bait co-immunoprecipitation (MI:0006)MINT-7712147: Testisin (uniprotkb:Q9Y6M0) physically interacts (MI:0915) with Maspin (uniprotkb:P36952) by anti tag co-immunoprecipitation (MI:0007)     

Effect of calpain inhibitors on the invasion of human erythrocytes by the parasite Plasmodium flaciparum

17 different proteinase inhibitors were screened for their effect on the erythrocyte invasion by the malaria parasite Plasmodium flaciparum. The effect was tested when the inhibitors were present in the culture medium and when they were trapped into erythrocyte ghosts. A very strong inhibition of invasion was observed in the presence of calpain inhibitors, with IC₅₀ in the order of 10^?7 M. Chymostatin, leupeptin, leupeptin, pepstatin A and bestatin also caused inhibition of the invasion, but with IC₅₀ in the order of 10^?5 M. The results suggest that participation of various proteinases in the process and point to the possibility of a calpain-mediated proteolytic event. This study may explain previous observations on the role of calcium in the invasion of the human erythrocyte by Plasmodium flaciparum.     

空心莲子草在我国的适应性及入侵机制

空心莲子草是入侵我国的重要杂草之一,它在我国能广泛传播和迅速蔓延,与其自身特有的形态生理适应性、强大的繁殖特性和竞争力,以及传入地缺乏自然控制机制密切相关.空心莲子草从其原产地过渡到新的侵入地的过程中,在生态环境适应方面发生重大变化,产生一系列的形态结构、生理过程,以求适应陆地生活条件.其表型可塑性使得空心莲子草有更宽的生态幅,可利用的潜在资源范围也随之扩展;强大的营养繁殖能力,使其迅速产生大量的后代,在失去自然天敌调控的情况下,尤为适应其侵入种的生长、繁殖、发展和传播,种群数量的激增又会加速其传播扩散速度,导致空心莲子草爆发成灾.在综述空心莲子草在形态、生理、繁殖的适应性特征及天敌因素和入侵特性的基础上,根据前人的有关论述,分析了空心莲子草在我国的适应性特征及入侵机制,指出了空心莲子草在我国适应性及入侵机制应着重研究的方向,提出了综合治理和充分利用空心莲子草的对策.     

Developments in cell biology for quantitative immunoelectron microscopy based on thin sections: a review

Quantitative immunoelectron microscopy uses ultrathin sections and gold particle labelling to determine distributions of molecules across cell compartments. Here, we review a portfolio of new methods for comparing labelling distributions between different compartments in one study group (method 1) and between the same compartments in two or more groups (method 2). Specimen samples are selected unbiasedly and then observed and expected distributions of gold particles are estimated and compared by appropriate statistical procedures. The methods can be used to analyse gold label distributed between volume-occupying (organelle) and surface-occupying (membrane) compartments, but in method 1, membranes must be treated as organelles. With method 1, gold counts are combined with stereological estimators of compartment size to determine labelling density (LD). For volume-occupiers, LD can be expressed simply as golds per test point and, for surface-occupiers, as golds per test line intersection. Expected distributions are generated by randomly assigning gold particles to compartments and expressing observed/expected counts as a relative labelling index (RLI). Preferentially-labelled compartments are identified from their RLI values and by Chi-squared analysis of observed and expected distributions. For method 2, the raw gold particle counts distributed between compartments are simply compared across groups by contingency table and Chi-squared analysis. This identifies the main compartments responsible for the differences between group distributions. Finally, we discuss labelling efficiency (the number of gold particles per target molecule) and describe how it can be estimated for volume- or surface-occupiers by combining stereological data with biochemical determinations.     

Analysis on regulatory network linked to Hpa gene in invasion and metastasis of colon cancer

Our purpose was to discuss the biological function of Hpa gene and its regulatory network in invasion and metastasis of colon cancer. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database were used to perform functional annotation and pathway analysis on Hpa gene. Gene Ontology analysis results showed that Hpa plays a significant role in cellular component, molecular function and biological process; and combined with Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database, regulatory network of angiogenesis of colon cancer was drawn out. Through analysis of regulatory network linked to angiogenesis in invasion and metastasis of colon cancer, the study lays foundation for further prevention, diagnosis and treatment of colon cancer.     

A score test for linkage analysis of ordinal traits based on IBD sharing

Statistical methods for linkage analysis are well established for both binary and quantitative traits. However, numerous diseases including cancer and psychiatric disorders are rated on discrete ordinal scales. To analyze pedigree data with ordinal traits, we recently proposed a latent variable model which has higher power to detect linkage using ordinal traits than methods using the dichotomized traits. The challenge with the latent variable model is that the likelihood is usually very complicated, and as a result, the computation of the likelihood ratio statistic is too intensive for large pedigrees. In this paper, we derive a computationally efficient score statistic based on the identity-by-decent sharing information between relatives. Using simulation studies, we examined the asymptotic distribution of the test statistic and the power of our proposed test under various levels of heritability. We compared the computing time as well as power of the score test with the likelihood ratio test. We then applied our method for the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism and performed a genome scan to map susceptibility genes for alcohol dependence. We found a strong linkage signal on chromosome 4.     

白花鬼针草入侵对植物群落结构及物种多样性的影响

【目的】阐明白花鬼针草入侵对植物群落组成及物种多样性的影响。【方法】调查广东茂名有白花鬼针草入侵(试验样方)和无白花鬼针草生长(对照样方)的植物群落中植物的种类、盖度、高度和密度,计算不同植物重要值及物种多样性指数,通过皮尔逊相关系数及拟合曲线展现白花鬼针草种群特征与其重要值及物种多样性的关系。【结果】白花鬼针草入侵后植物群落的组成和结构显著改变,由对照样方的104种减少到试验样方的63种,双穗雀稗、白花蛇舌草、香膏萼距花等物种消失,胜红蓟、阔叶丰花草、假臭草等恶性杂草的重要值降低,而马唐、薇甘菊、空心莲子草等物种重要值升高。白花鬼针草入侵降低了物种多样性,试验样方的Patrick丰富度指数(R)、Simpson多样性指数(D)和Shannon-Wiener多样性指数(H)均低于对照样方;白花鬼针草的重要值与以上多样性指数(H、D)和丰富度指数(R)呈显著负相关(P<0.001)。【结论】白花鬼针草入侵减少了物种多样性,并形成单一优势种群群落,对植物群落产生了负效应,对生态环境造成了极大的威胁。     

An evaluation of the impact of Melaleuca quinquenervia invasion and management on plant community structure after fire

Two questions were asked in this study: after a fire, does the choice of invasive plant management strategy, namely herbicidal or biological, alter (1) plant community assemblages and (2) the re-invasion potential of the Australian tree Melaleuca quinquenervia? Plant species richness was highest in the non-invaded and herbicide sites compared to the biological site with 10.5, 10.8, and 8.25 species m⁻² found in each site, respectively. Although the total count of live and dead seedlings was highest in the biologically controlled site at 22.8 and 13.6 plants m⁻², respectively, M. quinquenervia seedlings were recruited in all sites. While the ultimate goal of management programs is to restore ecosystem integrity, this work provides evidence that passive restoration may not be enough to restore plant community structure in this system.