为药理学事业奋斗的一生

编者按 王永铭教授是改革开放后首批赴国外研修药物不良反应监测与合理用药的临床药理学家,回国后率先开展药物不良反应和药物流行病学研究,组织开展学术交流,对推动我国药物不良反应监测制度及机构建设作出突出贡献.他科学求实、勇于创新的精神,值得我们学习.     

"十字路口"选择去向的感受

陈修教授是我国一位著名的药理学家,他致力于心血管药理学研究,多项成果发表于国际高端专业学术期刊,享有国际声誉。陈教授直抒己见,告诉我们:人生的"十字路口"选择方向至为重要。他的科学精神、敢于说"不"的学风,以及"顺向外展"和"逆向外展"思维的科研思路,值得后来者学习与思考。读罢全文,我们不禁被作者的正直和豁达的胸怀所深深感染。     

Plant paleoecology and evolutionary inference: two examples from the Paleozoic

Paleobotany can contribute much to evolutionary scenario-building. Here, we use two case studies — the Devono-Carboniferous vascular plant radiation and the largely coeval evolution of heterosporous from homosporous life histories — to examine the interface between phylogeny and ecology. Our observations challenge some tenets of the neo-Darwinian orthodoxy, notably the assumed role of competition mediated selection as an active driving force, rather than a passive filter, of evolution.

The Devono-Carboniferous class-level radiation of vascular plants was prompted by attainment of a complexity threshold and delimited the morphological envelope that enclosed an apparently fractal pattern of subsequent, lower level radiations. The contrast of low speciation rates with exceptionally high rates of phenotypic divergence in the Devonian suggests a non-adaptive “novelty” radiation, perhaps reflecting saltational evolution via “hopeful monsters”. Successive lower level radiations were more constrained by the ecological hierarchy that resulted from progressive niche differentiation and saturation. This in turn reflected increased speciation rates, thereby completing a well defined negative feedback loop in the coevolution of phenotypic and ecological differentiation.

Heterosporous life histories evolved independently in at least ten lineages. Heterospory allows the sporophyte to impose, via differential development, a single fixed gender on each gametophyte prior to spore release. Although the resulting life history is less flexible than homospory, which on recent evidence includes a range of subtle and sophisticated strategies, it promotes the sporophyte as the primary target for selection. Gametophytes effectively perform the role of gametes and are released into the environment prior to fertilization, thus favoring aquatic—amphibious habitats resistant to occupation by homosporous pteridophytes; terrestrial heterospory requires apomixis. Although the profound iteration of heterospory implies a strong adaptive advantage, repeated gradual evolution via inferior intermediates exhibiting exosporous heterospory seems unlikely.

Seed-plant success reflects economic efficiency and the subsequent evolution of effective pollination syndromes, rather than integumentation of the ovule. Major radiations of heterosporous lineages and subsequently of seed-plants required perturbation of pre-existing communities by extrinsic environmental changes rather than genuinely competitive displacement. This typical manifestation of “home-field advantage” further emphasizes the intimate relationship between phylogeny and ecology, and allows us to make predictions that can be tested by further paleobotanical research.     

Parasitological serendipity: from Schistocephalus to Echinococcus

Attention is drawn to the situation nowadays, whereby workers are encouraged to undertake research which appears useful or of economic importance, although the History of Science indicates that many major discoveries have been the result of 'serendipity'--'the chance observation falling on the receptive eye'. Some of the more important examples in Medicine and Parasitology are reviewed. The author then relates how he was given a stickleback infected with the plerocercoid of Schistocephalus solidus, an episode which eventually led to the successful in vitro culture of the adult of this species. Attention is also drawn to the largely unrecognized work of the Danish Veterinarian, P. C. Abildgaard, who in 1789 demonstrated that this species completed its life cycle in a bird, thus establishing, for the first time, the transmission of a parasite from one host to another. The in vitro culture of S. solidus led to the development of successful in vitro techniques for Ligula intestinalis and for Echinococcus granulosus and E. multilocularis. The observation that E. granulosus of horse origin failed to grow in vitro led eventually to the concept of physiological 'strains' of E. granulosus, now a subject of much international research.     

Leaders in laboratory animal science: in their own words

There are a number of challenges facing young people planning their future with little but a love of animals to guide them. Pursuing a successful career in veterinary medicine can be a trying experience; there are a limited number of highly competitive academic programs, and even if one manages to enroll in such a program and complete the degree, there remains the daunting dilemma of whether to proceed directly to private practice, or whether instead to strike out on a new path and explore an alternative career in animal medicine. The eleven men and women profiled here are all respected figures from the laboratory animal science community, representing a broad cross-section of backgrounds and interests: genetics researchers, exotic species specialists, animal welfare advocates, nutritionists, facility managers, and so forth. Some worked their way through veterinary school and private practice before deciding on a radical career shift that brought them to where they are now, others started their careers in a laboratory, while others still followed a more indirect path, guided only by chance, curiosity, and a love of animals.All eleven, however, have each made their own unique contribution to the field, and Lab Animal has invited them to tell their own stories, in their own words, to illustrate some of the interesting, entertaining, and surprising turns a career in laboratory animal science can take.     

Role of basic science in the development of new medicines: examples from the eicosanoid field

The role of basic science in the development of health care has received more and more attention. In my own area of research involving the so-called eicosanoids, there are many examples of how studies of structure and function of small molecules, as well as proteins and genes, have led to new therapeutic agents for treatment of a variety of diseases. In most of the cases, the discoveries have resulted in the recognition of novel therapeutic targets amenable to modulation by small molecules. However, there are also examples in which the molecular mechanisms of actions of drugs, discovered by phenotypic screening, have been elucidated. The majority of the examples in this article consist of approved drugs; however, in some cases, ongoing developments of potential therapeutics are cited.     

A preliminary report on my life in science

I describe my wanderings from the United States to East Germany and back. I hope this gives a glimpse of science in East Germany and encourages people who do science under less than favorable conditions. Although elements of my story are unique, the main points are general: don't be afraid to start something new; it pays to be persistent; and science is a passion--if it feels like fun, you've probably got it right.     

Nonlogical factors in research: chance and serendipity

Although successful biological research appears to be based on logical inference, on systematic accumulation of information, and on evaluation and hypothesis testing, many nonlogical, unpredictable factors may play an important role or even open new avenues of research. These may include emotional decisions, laboratory accidents, the impact of unanticipated external events, unplanned interactions with other scientists, and relationships with graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Based on personal experiences, the impact of such nonlogical factors, if exploited fully, can be considerable.     

科教生涯五十年的人生感悟

赵荣瑞教授是我国著名生理学家,他致力于心血管生理与病理生理学研究,注重基础理论与临床实际相结合,取得科研成果与人才培养双丰收的业绩。即使在条件十分有限的情况下,仍通过自身努力,艰苦奋斗,做出了自己的贡献。赵教授执著敬业,自强不息,善于团结协作的精神,值得效法。     

Perspectives on an alternative career path in regulatory science

Perspectives are provided on an alternative career path in regulatory science for those currently involved in basic biology research. This path is compared and contrasted with basic research, and factors to be examined if one is considering such a path are discussed.     

Weed biological control in the European Union: from serendipity to strategy

Biological control of weeds is a globally recognised approach to the management of some of the most troublesome invasive plants in the world. Accidental introductions of agents accounted for all weed biological control agent establishments in the European Union until 2010, but these examples include some current or emerging control successes both large and small, from the redistribution of the weevil Stenopelmus rufinasus Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) for the control of small outbreaks of Azolla filiculoides Lam. (Azollaceae), to the large scale control provided by the cochineal insect Dactylopius opuntiae (Cockerell) (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae), used against some problematic prickly pears (Opuntia spp. (Cactaceae)), and the ragweed beetle Ophraella communa LeSage (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), against common ragweed, Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. (Asteraceae), which are providing benefits to an increasing number of Member States of the European Union. Recent programmes involving the intentional introduction of biological control agents against target weeds including Fallopia japonica (Hout.) Ronse Decr. (Polygonaceae), Impatiens glandulifera Royle (Balsaminaceae) and Acacia longifolia (Andrews) Willd (Fabaceae) show a shift from luck to judgement in the European Union. The inclusion of new weed targets on the European Invasive Species Regulation should lead to a growth in the profile and use of biological control which would be assisted by the publication of any successes from the few intentional introductions covered in this paper.     

Medical maxims: two views of science

Clinicians are beings with finite minds and thus need to use simplified models of the world in making decisions [1]. However, these models need not be oversimplified, as are the models encouraged by the prevalent view of science, the Mechanistic Paradigm, which are articulated as rigid maxims. A more current view of science, the Probabilistic paradigm, encourages more complex models, which can be articulated as the more flexible maxims used with insight by the wise clinician.