Pattern ERG: effects of reference electrode site,stimulus mode and check size

We studied monocular pattern ERG (PERG) in 10 normal subjects and a patient with optic neuritis. No clinically significant PERG could be recorded from the occluded eye with any reference (ipsilateral ear or temple, or midfrontal), indicating that cross-contamination is not present with binocular testing. Ipsilateral temple reference minimized VEP (P100/N100) contribution to the PERG N95 which occurred with ipsilateral ear or midfrontal reference. The conclusions were confirmed by results from the patient, who had marked monocular delay of a normal amplitude P100. Twenty-four subjects were tested with monocular and binocular stimulation using an ipsilateral temple reference. There were differences in PERG latencies and amplitudes although the interside amplitude ratio showed smaller differences with binocular stimulation. Increasing check size (17, 35 and 70 min) decreased P50 and N95 latencies and increased P50 amplitude.     

视力与视觉诱发电位的相关分析

对104例病人的图形翻转VEP的瞬态波形各参数,以及9例正常或近视学生的稳态曲线功率谱与视力之间的关系进行了多元相关统计分析,旨在探讨VEP的哪些参数可客观地评估视力.结果表明,瞬态VEP的波形参数中以13’格诱发的N_1P_1、P_1N_2的峰峰值及P_(100)潜伏期与视力的相关系数最大,故认为,分析视力时以平均P_(100)波的波幅值和P_(100)波潜伏期作指标较为灵敏;而稳态、VEP能谱曲线则显示,视力与平均相叶能谱或刺激频率点的能谱相关性较大,与二次谐波的相关性则小.     

N70 and P100 can be independently affected in multiple sclerosis

We have studied the relationship between N70 and P100 of the pattern visual evoked potential in 98 patients with multiple sclerosis and in 59 controls. In patients with multiple sclerosis, P100 was either absent or had prolonged latency in 121 eyes (61.7%), while N70 was absent or prolonged in 97 eyes (49.5%). The total number of eyes with either N70 and/or P100 abnormalities was 137 (69.9%). Eighty eyes (40.8%) had abnormal latency of both P100 and N70, while 41 eyes showed P100 delays without corresponding N70 changes. Seventeen eyes had abnormal N70, but normal P100 latency. N70 and P100 appear to be more often absent in the definite rather than in the possible multiple sclerosis group. These data show that N70 and P100 can be independently affected in patients with MS.     

Oligoaminonucleoside phosphoramidates. Oligomerization of dimers of 3''-amino-3''-deoxy-nucleotides (GC and CG) in aqueous solution.

The self-complementary 5'-phosphorylated dinucleoside 3' (N)----5' (P)-linked phosphoramidates with sequence GC (8a), CG (8b) and the tetranucleoside triphosphoramidate with sequence GCGC (10a) and CGCG (10b) have been synthesized and characterized by physicochemical and enzymatic methods. The dinucleosides 8a or 8b oligomerize in aqueous solution in the presence of a water-soluble carbodiimide. This process is efficient and regiospecific. In the case of GC it produces alternating 3' (N)----5' (P)-linked phosphoramidates up to 15 dimeric units in length with a yield in excess of 70%. The oligomerization of the CG isomer is much less efficient. The mechanism of oligomerization is discussed.     

Minimum time required for assessing step variability during running at submaximal velocities

This study aimed to determine the minimum time required for assessing spatiotemporal variability during continuous running at different submaximal velocities and, thereby, the number of steps required. Nineteen trained endurance runners performed an incremental running protocol, with a 3-min recording period at 10, 12, 14 and 16 km/h. Spatiotemporal parameters (contact and flight times, step length and step frequency) were measured using the OptoGait system and step variability was considered for each parameter, in terms of within-participants standard deviation (SD) and coefficient of variation (CV%). Step variability was considered over six different durations at every velocity tested: 0–10 s, 0–20 s, 0–30 s, 0–60 s, 0–120 s and 0–180 s. The repeated measures ANOVA revealed no significant differences in the magnitude of the four spatiotemporal parameters between the recording intervals at each running velocity tested (p ≥ 0.05, ICC > 0.90). The post-hoc analysis confirmed no significant differences in step variability (SD and CV% of each spatiotemporal parameter at any velocity tested) between measurements. The Bland-Altman limits of agreement method showed that longer recording intervals yield smaller systematic bias, random errors, and narrower limits of agreement, regardless of running velocity. The results suggest that the duration of the recording period required to estimate spatiotemporal variability plays an important role in the accuracy of the measurement, regardless of running velocity (10–16 km/h).     

贵州月亮山5种森林类型土壤生态化学计量特征研究

为了解贵州省月亮山森林土壤的化学计量特征,分层采集5种森林类型的土壤,测定C、N、P含量并分析化学计量特征。结果表明,5种森林类型0~20 cm土壤中变异最大的是P,20~100 cm土壤中变异最大的是C,最小的是N。5种森林类型0~10 cm土壤的C、N含量远高于中国陆地0~10 cm土壤的平均含量,而P含量远低于其平均含量。硬阔和软阔自然林土壤C、N、P含量存在明显差异,C含量为硬阔自然林软阔自然林,N和P含量基本呈现为软阔自然林硬阔自然林。不同森林类型土壤的C∶N为硬阔自然林软阔自然林,针阔混交林杉木和马尾松纯林。硬阔和软阔自然林、针阔混交林的C∶P、N∶P均随土层深度的增加而下降,而杉木和马尾松纯林的C∶P、N∶P随土层深度增加呈先下降后升高再下降的趋势,且均在30~50 cm处出现累积峰。相关分析表明0~100 cm土壤的C、N、P含量呈极显著正相关关系,土壤C含量、N含量与C∶N、C∶P、N∶P均呈极显著的正相关关系,P含量与C∶N呈极显著正相关关系(P0.001)。因此,贵州月亮山5种森林类型和不同土层的C、N、P含量及其化学计量特征存在显著差异。     

Effect of P(2)' site tryptophan and P(20)' site deletion of Momordica charantia trypsin inhibitor II on inhibition of proteinases

Momordica charantia trypsin inhibitor II (MCTI-II) inhibits the amidolytic activity of factor Xa with a K(i) value 10-100-fold smaller than those of other squash family inhibitors. It also inhibits factor X activation mediated by factor VIIa-tissue factor complex or factor IXa. Comparison of other squash family inhibitors reveal Trp at position 7 (P(2)') and a deletion at position 25 (P(20)') are characteristics of MCTI-II. In order to elucidate the effect of these positions on the inhibitory activity, we chemically synthesized three inhibitors: S-MCTI-II whose amino acid sequence is identical to natural MCTI-II, S-MCTI-II(7L) whose P(2)'(Trp) is substituted with Leu, and S-MCTI-II(25N) whose P(20)'(deletion) is filled with Asn. The dissociation constants of the complexes of human factor Xa with S-MCTI-II, S-MCTI-II(7L), and S-MCTI-II(25N) were 1.3x10(-6) M, 2.8x10(-5) M, and 7.3x10(-6) M, respectively. They inhibited factor X activation mediated by factor VIIa with the same degree. As in the case of natural MCTI-II, S-MCTI-II suppressed factor X activation mediated by factor IXa, while S-MCTI-II(7L) and S-MCTI-II(25N) did not. Both the Trp at the P(2)' position and deletion at the P(20)' position are thus likely required for the inhibition of factor Xa, trypsin, and factor IXa, while these two positions do not affect factor X activation initiated by the factor VIIa-tissue factor complex.     

Ectodomain lysines and suramin block of P2X1 receptors

P2X(1) receptors belong to a family of cation channels gated by extracellular ATP; they are found inter alia in smooth muscle, platelets, and immune cells. Suramin has been widely used as an antagonist at P2X receptors, and its analog 4,4',4',4'-[carbonylbis(imino-5,1,3-benzenetriylbis(carbonylimino))] tetrakis-benzene-1,3-disulfonic acid (NF449) is selective for the P2X(1) subtype. Human and mouse P2X(1) receptors were expressed in human embryonic kidney cells, and membrane currents evoked by ATP were recorded. ATP (10 nm to 100 microm) was applied only once to each cell, to avoid the profound desensitization exhibited by P2X(1) receptors. Suramin (10 microm) and NF449 (3-300 nM) effectively blocked the human receptor. Suramin had little effect on the mouse receptor. Suramin and NF449 are polysulfonates, with six and eight negative charges, respectively. We hypothesized that species differences might result from differences in positive residues presented by the large receptor ectodomain. Four lysines in the human sequence (Lys(111), Lys(127), Lys(138), and Lys(148)) were changed individually and together to their counterparts in the mouse sequence. The substitution K138E, either alone or together with K111Q, K127Q, and K148N, reduced the sensitivity to block by both suramin and NF449. Conversely, when lysine was introduced into the mouse receptor, the sensitivity to block by suramin and NF449 was much increased for E138K, but not for Q111K, Q127K, or N148K. The results explain the marked species difference in antagonist sensitivity and identify an ectodomain lysine residue that plays a key role in the binding of both suramin and NF449 to P2X(1) receptors.     

Simultaneous determination of celecoxib,hydroxycelecoxib, and carboxycelecoxib in human plasma using gradient reversed-phase liquid chromatography with ultraviolet absorbance detection

A new HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of celecoxib, carboxycelecoxib and hydroxycelecoxib in human plasma samples has been developed. Following a solid-phase extraction procedure, the samples were separated by gradient reversed-phase HLPC (C(18)) and quantified using UV detection at 254 nm. The method was linear over the concentration range 10-500 ng/ml. The intra-assay variability for the three analytes ranged from 4.0 to 12.6% and the inter-assay variability from 4.9 to 14.2%. The achieved limits of quantitation (LOQ) of 10 ng/ml for each analyte allowed the determination of the pharmacokinetic parameters of the analytes after administration of 100 mg celecoxib.     

氮磷添加对亚热带常绿阔叶林土壤微生物群落特征的影响

为了探讨氮磷添加对土壤微生物特点的影响,选择安徽省池州仙寓山常绿阔叶老龄林,设定了4个水平的氮磷添加试验,即对照(CK,0 kg N/hm~2)、低氮(LN,50 kg N/hm~2)、高氮(HN,100 kg N/hm~2)、高氮+磷(HN+P,100 kg N/hm~2+50 kg P/hm~2)。利用氯仿熏蒸法和Biolog微平板技术,分析不同水平氮磷添加对不同土层(0-10 cm、10-20 cm和20-30 cm)土壤微生物生物量C(MBC)、N(MBN)和微生物群落功能多样性的影响。结果表明:MBC、MBN随土层加深而降低,且差异性极显著,MBC与MBC/MBN比在氮磷添加后均表现出显著性差异;土壤微生物群落的代谢活性随土层加深而降低,HN与LN处理的土壤微生物活性最高;Mc Intosh、Shannon和Simpson多样性指数在不同土层和不同N、P添加水平上都存在差异,表层土壤微生物多样性指数差异性较为显著。土壤微生物对羧酸类、氨基酸类和碳水类碳源利用率最高;主成分分析显示不同土层的土壤微生物碳源利用上有明显的变化,表层土壤微生物碳源利用在不同N、P添加水平上有明显的空间变异性,其他土层分布较为集中,空间差异性主要表现在对碳水类与羧酸类碳源的利用上。土层与氮、磷添加剂量对土壤微生物生物量C、N及功能多样性都有显著影响,其中高氮处理对表层土壤微生物影响最大。     

Turfgrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) sod production on sandy soils: I. Effects of irrigation and fertiliser regimes on growth and quality

The effects on growth, quality and N uptake by turfgrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) during sod production of four fertiliser types applied at three application rates (100, 200 or 300 kg N ha⁻¹ per ‘crop’) under two irrigation treatments (70% and 140% daily replacement of pan evaporation) were investigated. The fertiliser types were: water-soluble (predominately NH₄NO₃), control-release, pelletised poultry manure, and pelletised biosolids; and the experiment was conducted on a sandy soil in a Mediterranean-type climate. Plots were established from rhizomes, with the turfgrass harvested as sod every 16–28 weeks depending upon the time of the year. Four crops were produced during the study. Applying water-soluble and control-release fertilisers doubled shoot growth and improved turfgrass greenness by up to 10% in comparison with plots receiving pelletised poultry manure and pelletised biosolids. Nitrogen uptake into the shoots after four crops (averaged across irrigation treatments and N rates) was 497 kg N ha⁻¹ for the water-soluble fertiliser, 402 kg N ha⁻¹ for the control-release, 188 kg N ha⁻¹ for the pelletised poultry manure and 237 kg N ha⁻¹ for the pelletised biosolids. Consequently, the agronomic nitrogen-use efficiency (NAE, kg DM kg⁻¹ N applied) of the inorganic fertilisers was approximately twice that of the organic fertilisers. Increasing irrigation from 70% to 140% replacement of pan evaporation was detrimental to turfgrass growth and N uptake for the first crop when supplied with the water-soluble fertiliser. Under the low irrigation treatment, inorganic N fertilisers applied at 200–300 kg N ha⁻¹ were adequate for production of turfgrass sod. Section Editor: P. J. Randall     

Turfgrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) sod production on sandy soils: II. Effects of irrigation and fertiliser regimes on N leaching

The effects of irrigation and fertiliser regimes on N leaching from the production of couch grass (Cynodon dactylon L.) sod, on a free-draining sandy soil, were evaluated in a 22-month field study. The experimental design used a randomised-block, split-plot design with three replicates. Main plots consisted of two irrigation treatments: 70 and 140% daily replacement of pan evaporation; four subplot fertiliser types (water-soluble (predominately NH₄NO₃), control-release, pelletised poultry manure and pelletised biosolids); and three N application rates (100, 200 and 300 kg N ha⁻¹ per crop). Nitrogen leaching was assessed by measuring the leachate volumes and concentrations of N species leached from soil lysimeters (250 mm in diameter by 950 mm in length) installed in 10 m² turfgrass plots. Nitrogen leaching ranged from 33 to 167 kg N ha⁻¹ over 22 months, depending upon the irrigation and fertiliser treatment. Irrigation treatment affected N leaching more than fertiliser treatment, and increasing the irrigation from 70 to 140% replacement of daily pan evaporation increased N leaching for all fertiliser types, and by up to four times. Forty six to 76% of losses occurred from the high irrigation treatments during the first 16 weeks after the turfgrass was planted as rhizomes. By contrast, N leaching did not appear to increase following harvest of sod. At the high irrigation treatment, N leaching was greater for the pelletised biosolids than the control-release; while at the low irrigation treatment, N leaching did not vary between fertiliser types. A significant proportion of the N leached was in the organic form. Therefore, we recommend total N and mineral N be measured when assessing N leaching from turfgrass. Nitrogen leaching from turfgrass production is low from all fertiliser types when the irrigation matches turfgrass water use and N is applied at a rate and frequency that approximates turfgrass requirements. Section Editor: P. J. Randall     

中小尺度下西北太平洋柔鱼资源丰度的空间变异

西北太平洋柔鱼是我国最重要的远洋捕捞对象之一,掌握其资源分布在空间上的分布特征将可为资源的可持续开发和利用提供基础。本文采用2011年8-10月我国在北太平洋150?-160?E、38?-48?N海域的柔鱼生产统计数据,以单船日产量(CPUE)为资源丰度指标,分经纬度10′?10′、20′?20′、30′?30′、40′?40′、50′?50′、60′?60′和70′?70′等7个尺度,利用地统计学方法对柔鱼资源丰度的空间分布特征进行了分析,探讨柔鱼资源丰度的空间变异特性。结果显示,8-10月柔鱼资源丰度均以指数模型拟合产生的空间自相关异质性程度最好;小尺度下(10′?10′、20′?20′、30′?30′)柔鱼资源丰度空间结构表现出中等水平及其以上的空间自相关变异程度,中尺度下(40′?40′、50′?50′、60′?60′和70′?70′)则相对比较低,基本上为弱空间自相关变异程度;柔鱼资源丰度空间结构显示有各向异性,8月和9月的方向角分别为西北-东南走向和东北-西南走向,10月受柔鱼性成熟开始南向洄游以及海洋环境的影响,其方向角变化较大。此外,论文对柔鱼资源丰度的适宜尺度作了进一步探讨,综合分析认为CPUE空间变异的研究应以小尺度为适宜,其中30′?30′最为稳定。论文结合柔鱼的栖息环境等,分析了它们对资源丰度时空变异及其特征的影响。     

Visual evoked potential in guinea pigs

The present study was designed to establish visual evoked potential (VEP) as one of clinical tests for veterinary medicine. Experiments were carried out on eight adult male guinea pigs weighed 350 to 750 g. We investigated influences of click sound, luminous intensity and habituation on VEP patterns. The VEP of the guinea pig was composed of primary (P 10, N 20, P 30, N 40) and secondary (P 55, N 75, P 100, N 140) components, followed by a rhythmic after-discharge. Click sound with flash produced some unclear peaks in VEP, while click sound without flash elicited clear six peaks. These different components of the response to stimulation suggested that the acoustically evoked potential induced some peaks in VEP. With the intensity used in the present study, changes in luminous intensity resulted in unrecognizable difference among the VEPs. Early components of VEP were not clearly influenced by the habituation to stimulation. As the stimulation was repeated, rhythmic after-discharge seemed to be suppressed in the half of experiments.     

Comparison of asymmetric forms of acetylcholinesterase from the electric organ of Narke japonica and Torpedo californica

The asymmetric forms of acetylcholinesterase were purified from the electric organs of the electric rays Narke japonica and Torpedo californica, and their properties were compared. Asymmetric acetylcholinesterase was purified by immunoaffinity chromatography with a monoclonal antibody (Nj-601) to acetylcholinesterase. The MgCl2 extracts of these electric organs were applied to a column of Nj-601-Sepharose, and the bound acetylcholinesterase was eluted by lowering the pH of the eluent to 2.8. The purified asymmetric acetylcholinesterases gave peaks of 17 S (A12) and 13 S (A8) on sucrose density gradients. The enzyme from N. japonica contained more A8 than A12, while that of T. californica contained more A12. After treatment with collagenase, the enzymes gave three peaks on sedimentation; 20 S, 16 S and 11 S for N. japonica, and 19 S, 15 S and 11 S for T. californica, indicating the presence of collagen-like tails. On polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate, the asymmetric acetylcholinesterase from N. japonica gave bands of Mr 140 000, 100 000, 70 000 and 60 000, while that from T. californica gave bands of Mr 140 000, 100 000, 70 000 and 55 000. The bands of Mr 70 000 and 140 000 were monomers and non-reducible dimers, respectively, of the catalytic subunits. The bands of Mr 60 000 and 55 000 were the tail subunits, since collagenase treatment of the purified enzymes markedly decreased the amounts of these components. The Mr 100 000 subunit constituted less than 3% of the total asymmetric acetylcholinesterase from N. japonica but 18% of that from T. californica. The tail subunits constituted 6-8% of the two preparations. The catalytic subunits and the Mr 100 000 subunits bound concanavalin A, indicating that they are glycoproteins. The amino acid compositions of the enzymes from N. japonica and T. californica were very similar. Both contained hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine, characteristic of the collagen-like tails. The enzyme required divalent metal ions for activity, but only Mn2+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ were effective. Mn2+ was effective at the lowest concentrations, while Mg2+ gave the highest activity.     

Evaluation of a sampling trap for Dermanyssus gallinae (Acari: Dermanyssidae).

Traps made by rectangular pieces of 3 mm thick corrugated cardboard of four different sizes, 200 by 140 (A), 140 by 100 (B), 100 by 70 (C), and 200 by 40 mm (D), were evaluated as a sampling device for the chicken mite, Dermanyssus gallinae (De Geer). Mites were trapped during 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 d, respectively, in a poultry house heavily infested with the parasite. Significantly greater numbers of mites were collected by trap B. Additionally, significantly more mites were collected during the sampling periods 6-10 d than by 2 and 4 d. However, with regard to trap size and sampling period, trap C, used for 2 d, collected significantly more mites per day and trap area than any of the other traps. Therefore, such a trap was suggested for monitoring population trends of chicken mites in poultry houses. The larger traps contained significantly higher numbers of mites per trap and may therefore be feasible to use in alternative, nonchemical control programs. Optimum sample size, or number of traps required to monitor population trends of D. gallinae, was also calculated. At a relative variability of 20%, and at densities of 2,000-20,000 mites per trap, approximately 11-16 of trap B and 11-19 of trap C would be adequate to monitor mites.     

The role of aminoglycoside--modifying enzymes in resistance of Gram-negative rods

The aim of the study was to evaluate the aminoglycoside resistance of Gram-negative bacilli isolated from patients. To the examination 35 strains of Enterobacteriaceae and 18 of non-fermentative bacteria were included. Resistance to aminoglycosides (gentamicin (G), netilmicin (Nt), tobramycin (T), amikacin (A), kanamycin (K), neomycin (N)) was established by disk diffusion method. Interpretation of enzymatic mechanisms was performed by Livermore. The most common enzymes AAC(6')I were found in Enterobacteriaceae group (mostly in E. cloaceae and P. mirabilis) and AAC(3') and in non-fermentative bacteria: AAC(6')I in P. aeruginosa and APH(3')VI and AAC(3')I in A. baumanii. The most frequent phenotype was resistance to six antibiotics (G, Nt, T, A, K, N) Resistance rates were high for gentamicin (>70 %) in both groups and amikacin (88,89 %) in non-fermentatives.     

Recombinant models of lipoproteins. Apolipoprotein A-I/phosphatidylcholine/cholesterol complexes formed in a 2-chloroethanol-water mixture

Apolipoprotein A-I can spontaneously associate with phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol in 2-chloroethanol-water mixture. It was demonstrated, using a spin label technique, that dissolved molecules participate in complex formation. The apolipoprotein A-I/phosphatidylcholine/cholesterol complexes were isolated by gel chromatography. Complexes of three types were prepared and characterized: type A, large heterogeneous aggregates with molecular weight 600 000, sedimentation coefficient 10 S and the following molar composition - protein/phosphatidylcholine/cholesterol, 1:(70-100):(10-12); types B and C, with weight average molecular weights 140 000 and 110 000, average sedimentation coefficients 3.6 S and 1.7 S, respectively. Both types have the same molar composition - protein/phosphatidylcholine/cholesterol, 1:25:8. The dissimilar sedimentation coefficients between complexes B and C may be explained by the difference in the monomer/tetramer ratio (monomer molecular weight 50 000). The spin label sn-1-O-stearoyl-2-O-9'-spiro(4',4'-dimethyloxazolidine-3'-oxyl) heptadecanoylglycero-3-phosphocholine introduced into the complexes A and B showed different thermal properties of these complexes, which may be due to differences in the lipid-protein interactions.     

Detailed analysis of the latencies of median nerve somatosensory evoked potential components, 1: selection of the best standard parameters and the establishment of normal values

In order to objectively select the standard parameters best suited for the evaluation of somatosensory conduction in median nerve somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP), we performed a detailed statistical analysis of intersubject variability for the latencies of SEP components based on the recordings of 62 normal subjects. Multiple regression analyses for height, age, (age - 20)² and sex were performed for the latencies of 13 components and 78 intercomponent intervals, and the residual variance was used as an indicator of the stability of each parameter. As a result, N9 onset in EPi-NC lead, N11′ onset in C6S-Fz lead, P13/14 onset in scalp-NC leads, for which N13′ onset recorded in C6S-Fz lead may substitute, and N20 onset in CPc-Fz lead were the most stable time-points selected as standards. N11 onset in C6S-NC, which other authors have recommended as the standard point representing spinal entry, was not recorded consistently, and P11 onset in scalp-NC leads was also unstable. N20 and peak and N13′-N20 interval (equivalent to conventional central conduction time) were extremely unstable. We presented the nomograms to find normal limits of the standard parameters corresponding to the given values of the predictor variables (height, age or sex). As the standard recording montage in routine clinical examinations, we recommended a simple method using Fz reference, for example (1) EPi-Fz, (2) C6S-Fz, (3) CPc-Fz, because this montage is sufficient to measure the stable standard parameters.