Impact of virus preparation quality on parvovirus filter performance

Virus‐removal filtration technology is commonly used in the manufacturing process for biologics to remove potential viral contaminants. Virus‐removal filters designed for retaining parvovirus, one of the smallest mammalian viruses, are considered an industry standard as they can effectively remove broad ranges of viruses. It has long been observed that the performance of virus filters can be influenced by virus preparations used in the laboratory scale studies (PDA, 2010 ). However, it remains unclear exactly what quality attributes of virus preparations are critical or indicative of virus filter performance as measured by effectiveness of virus removal and filter capacity consistency. In an attempt to better understand the relationship between virus preparation and virus filter performance, we have systematically prepared and analyzed different grades of parvovirus with different purity levels and compared their performance profiles on Viresolve® Pro parvovirus filters using four different molecules. Virus preparations used in the studies were characterized using various methods to measure DNA and protein content as well as the hydrodynamic diameter of virus particles. Our results indicate that the performance of Viresolve® Pro filters can be significantly impacted depending on the purity of the virus preparations used in the spike and recovery studies. More importantly, we have demonstrated that the purity of virus preparations is directly correlated to the measurable biochemical and biophysical properties of the virus preparations such as DNA and protein content and monodispersal status, thus making it possible to significantly improve the consistency and predictability of the virus filter performance during process step validations. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013; 110: 229–239. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Particle-based analysis elucidates the real retention capacities of virus filters and enables optimal virus clearance study design with evaluation systems of diverse virological characteristics

In virus clearance study (VCS) design, the amount of virus loaded onto the virus filters (VF) must be carefully controlled. A large amount of virus is required to demonstrate sufficient virus removal capability; however, too high a viral load causes virus breakthrough and reduces log reduction values. We have seen marked variation in the virus removal performance for VFs even with identical VCS design. Understanding how identical virus infectivity, materials and operating conditions can yield such different results is key to optimizing VCS design. The present study developed a particle number-based method for VCS and investigated the effects on VF performance of discrepancies between apparent virus amount and total particle number of minute virus of mice. Co-spiking of empty and genome-containing particles resulted in a decrease in the virus removal performance proportional to the co-spike ratio. This suggests that empty particles are captured in the same way as genome-containing particles, competing for retention capacity. In addition, between virus titration methods with about 2.0 Log₁₀ difference in particle-to-infectivity ratios, there was a 20-fold decrease in virus retention capacity limiting the throughput that maintains the required LRV (e.g., 4.0), calculated using infectivity titers. These findings suggest that ignoring virus particle number in VCS design can cause virus overloading and accelerate filter breakthrough. This article asserts the importance of focusing on virus particle number and discusses optimization of VCS design that is unaffected by virological characteristics of evaluation systems and adequately reflect the VF retention capacity.     

Biology of the European large raspberry aphid (Amphorophora idaei): its role in virus transmission and resistance breakdown in red raspberry

1 The European large raspberry aphid Amphorophora idaei Börner is the most important vector of viral diseases afflicting commercially grown red raspberry ( Rubus idaeus L.) in Northern Europe, with European raspberry production amounting to 416 000 tonnes per annum. This review synthesizes existing knowledge on its biology and interactions with other organisms, including its host plant and the viral pathogens it vectors.
2 Information about trophic interactions with other insect herbivores and natural enemies is reviewed. Vine weevils Otiorhynchus sulcatus compromise aphid resistance in some raspberry cultivars, increasing A.   idaei abundance by 80%. Parasitoids show mixed success in parasitizing A.   idaei , although Aphidius ervi attack rates more than doubled when A.   idaei fed on a partially susceptible raspberry cultivar, compared with a resistant variety. These findings are discussed in the context of potential biological control as part of an integrated pest and disease management framework.
3  Amphorophora idaei transmits four known viruses: Black raspberry necrosis virus, Raspberry leaf mottle virus, Raspberry leaf spot virus and Rubus yellow net virus , with A.   idaei taking as little as 2 min to transmit some viruses.
4 Existing control strategies, including resistant cultivars, insecticides and eradication of disease from parent plants, are described. In particular, strong selection pressures have resulted in A .  idaei overcoming genetic resistance in many raspberry cultivars and most insecticides are now ineffective.
5 Future directions for the sustained control of A.   idaei are suggested, taking into consideration the possible effects of climate change and also changes in agronomic practices in U.K. agriculture.     

A review on architecture of the gag-pol ribosomal frameshifting RNA in human immunodeficiency virus: a variability survey of virus genotypes

Programmed ‘-1’ ribosomal frameshifting is necessary for expressing the pol gene overlapped from a gag of human immunodeficiency virus. A viral RNA structure that requires base pairing across the overlapping sequence region suggests a mechanism of regulating ribosome and helicase traffic during expression. To get precise roles of an element around the frameshift site, a review on architecture of the frameshifting RNA is performed in combination of reported information with augments of a representative set of 19 viral samples. In spite of a different length for the viral RNAs, a canonical comparison on the element sequence allocation is performed for viewing variability associations between virus genotypes. Additionally, recent and historical insights recognized in frameshifting regulation are looked back as for indel and single nucleotide polymorphism of RNA. As specially noted, structural changes at a frameshift site, the spacer sequence, and a three-helix junction element, as well as two Watson–Crick base pairs near a bulge and a C–G pair close a loop, are the most vital strategies for the virus frameshifting regulations. All of structural changes, which are dependent upon specific sequence variations, facilitate an elucidation about the RNA element conformation-dependent mechanism for frameshifting. These facts on disrupting base pair interactions also allow solving the problem of competition between ribosome and helicase on a same RNA template, common to single-stranded RNA viruses. In a broad perspective, each new insight of frameshifting regulation in the competition systems introduced by the RNA element construct changes will offer a compelling target for antiviral therapy.     

生物膜型污水脱氮系统中膜结构及微生物生态研究进展

生物膜法污水脱氮系统主要利用生物膜中脱氮功能微生物的代谢活动去除氮素,从而达到净化水质的目的,研究脱氮生物膜的微观结构和微生物生态是揭示生物膜脱氮机理从而提高脱氮效率的重要途径.本文综述了生物膜型污水脱氮系统类型、生物膜微观结构特征及其影响因素、生物膜型污水脱氮系统内氮素传质过程、脱氮机理和生物膜数学模型等方面的研究进展.另外,本文介绍了生物膜型污水脱氮系统内生物膜脱氮功能微生物分布特征,不同生物膜脱氮系统、底物、运行条件和时间对功能微生物群落影响,及新型脱氮功能微生物等方面的研究进展,为生物膜脱氮技术的深入研究提供参考.     

猪流感病毒H1N1血凝素基因和神经氨酸酶基因在大肠杆菌中的表达

克隆、表达和鉴定猪流感病毒H1N1 HA,NA基因序列,为制备抗体和基因工程疫苗打下基础。在成功克隆猪流感病毒H1N1全长HA、NA基因并测序的基础上,将部分基因序列克隆到表达载体pET32a(+)上,全基因序列克隆到表达载体pGEX4T-1上,构建了重组表达质粒pET32a(+)/HA(截短),pET32a(+)/NA(截短),pGEX4T-1/NA,转化大肠杆菌BL21/Rosetta,IPTG诱导表达,利用Ni2+亲和层析柱和GSTrap 4B亲和层析柱对重组蛋白进行纯化,并用Western Blotting和ELISA方法检测其抗原性。结果显示,重组蛋白在大肠杆菌中可以高效表达,SDS-PAGE显示其相对分子质量与预计大小一致。ELISA和Western blotting试验证实,重组蛋白具有良好的抗原性。本研究成功克隆和表达了猪流感病毒H1N1 HA、NA基因序列,为猪流感病毒H1N1诊断试剂和疫苗的开发等进一步的研究奠定了基础。     

Potential transmission of West Nile virus in the British Isles: an ecological review of candidate mosquito bridge vectors

West Nile virus (WNV) transmitted by mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) infects various vertebrates, being pathogenic for birds, horses and humans. After its discovery in tropical Africa, sporadic outbreaks of WNV occurred during recent decades in Eurasia, but not the British Isles. WNV reached New York in 1999 and spread to California by 2003, causing widespread outbreaks of West Nile encephalitis across North America, transmitted by many species of mosquitoes, mainly Culex spp. The periodic reappearance of WNV in parts of continental Europe (from southern France to Romania) gives rise to concern over the possibility of WNV invading the British Isles. The British Isles have about 30 endemic mosquito species, several with seasonal abundance and other eco-behavioural characteristics predisposing them to serve as potential WNV bridge vectors from birds to humans. These include: the predominantly ornithophilic Culex pipiens L. and its anthropophilic biotype molestus Forskal; tree-hole adapted Anopheles plumbeus Stephens; saltmarsh-adapted Ochlerotatus caspius Pallas, Oc. detritus Haliday and Oc. dorsalis (Meigen); Coquillettidia richiardii Ficalbi, Culiseta annulata Schrank and Cs. morsitans (Theobald) from vegetated freshwater pools; Aedes cinereus Meigen, Oc. cantans Meigen and Oc. punctor Kirby from seasonal woodland pools. Those underlined have been found carrying WNV in other countries (12 species), including the rarer British species Aedes vexans (Meigen), Culex europaeus Ramos et al., Cx. modestus Ficalbi and Oc. sticticus (Meigen) as well as the Anopheles maculipennis Meigen complex (mainly An. atroparvus van Thiel and An. messeae Falleroni in Britain). Those implicated as key vectors of WNV in Europe are printed bold (four species). So far there is no proof of any arbovirus transmission by mosquitoes in the British Isles, although antibodies to Sindbis, Tahyna, Usutu and West Nile viruses have been detected in British birds. Neighbouring European countries have enzootic WNV and human infections transmitted by mosquito species that are present in the British Isles. However, except for localized urban infestations of Cx. pipiens biotype molestus that can be readily eliminated, there appear to be few situations in the British Isles where humans and livestock are exposed to sustained risks of exposure to potential WNV vectors. Monitoring of mosquitoes and arbovirus surveillance are required to guard the British Isles against WNV outbreaks and introduction of more anthropophilic mosquitoes such as Stegomyia albopicta (Skuse) and Ochlerotatus japonicus (Theobald) that have recently invaded Europe, since they transmit arboviruses elsewhere.     

A rapid and sensitive method based on magnetic beads for the detection of hepatitis B virus surface antigen in human serum

Current clinically assays, such as enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and chemiluminescence immunoassay, for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) are inferior in terms of either sensitivity and accuracy or rapid and high‐throughput analysis. A novel assay based on magnetic beads and time‐resolved fluoroimmunoassay was developed for the quantitative determination of HBsAg in human serum. HBsAg was captured using two types of anti‐HBsAg monoclonal antibodies (B028, S015) immobilized on to magnetic beads and detected using europium‐labeled anti‐HBsAg polyclonal detection antibody. Finally, the assay yielded a high sensitivity (0.02 IU/mL) and a wide dynamic range (0.02–700 IU/mL) for HBsAg when performed under optimal conditions. Satisfactory accuracy, recovery and specificity were also demonstrated. The intra‐ and interassay coefficients of variation were 4.7–8.7% and 3.8–7.5%, respectively. The performance of this assay was further assessed against a well‐established commercial chemiluminescence immunoassay kit with 399 clinical serum samples. It was revealed that the test results for the two methods were in good correlation (Y = 1.182X – 0.017, R = 0.989). In the current study, we demonstrated that this novel time‐resolved fluoroimmunoassay could be used: as a highly sensitive, automated and high‐throughput immunoassay for the diagnosis of acute or chronic hepatitis B virus infection; for the screening of blood or organ donors; and for the surveillance of persons at risk of acquiring or transmitting hepatitis B virus. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

大熊猫国家公园的地栖大中型鸟兽多样性现状: 基于红外相机数据的分析

生物多样性监测是国家公园保护的核心基础。大熊猫国家公园是我国首批5个国家公园之一, 系统的保护规划与有效的管理行动均有赖于对区内生物多样性本底、现状与动态的深入了解。为了解大熊猫国家公园范围内兽类与鸟类多样性本底与现状, 本研究系统检索了该区域内2005-2020年基于红外相机调查技术的野生动物研究论文、项目报告以及新闻报道, 并对区内原有保护地的红外相机监测历史与结果进行了问卷调查。结果表明, 2005-2020年期间, 在大熊猫国家公园范围内51个保护地的红外相机调查与监测中, 共记录到分属6目22科55属的71种野生兽类与分属13目45科132属的232种野生鸟类。在国家公园所覆盖的秦岭、岷山、邛崃山、相岭4大山系中, 邛崃和岷山记录到的大中型地栖鸟兽物种多样性最高(均为兽类40种, 鸟类12种), 相岭最低(兽类25种, 鸟类7种)。单个保护地中记录到的大中型地栖鸟兽物种数量与保护地面积、红外相机有效工作日及相机位点的海拔跨度均呈正相关, 国家级保护地中记录到的物种数(28 ± 8.3, mean ± SD)显著高于省级保护地(19 ± 8.9)。在大熊猫国家公园内共记录到猫科与犬科的4种大型食肉动物, 即豹(Panthera pardus)、雪豹(P. uncia)、狼(Canis lupus)和豺(Cuon alpinus), 主要来自于秦岭山系和邛崃山系, 而国家公园内的岷山山系则没有记录到大型食肉动物, 相岭山系中仅有1次狼的记录。本研究结果显示, 大熊猫国家公园内前期已经建立起的自然保护地网络与红外相机监测体系已积累大量区内野生兽类与鸟类的基础数据, 为国家公园的试点与建设提供了生物多样性编目与监测方面的可靠本底。在这些前期工作的基础上, 大熊猫国家公园应进一步规划、建设标准化的野生动物监测体系, 为今后国家公园的管理决策、成效评估提供坚实的科学支撑。     

Effectiveness of Petasites hybridus preparations in the prophylaxis of migraine: A systematic review

The objective of this review was to evaluate the strength of evidence of effectiveness for Petasites hybridus in the prophylaxis of migraine. Several databases and other sources were searched to identify randomised-controlled trials investigating P. hybridus preparations. Two trials totalling 293 patients (60 and 233 patients) were included in this review. Both trials investigated the proprietary Petasites root extract Petadolex^®. The trials were described in narrative way, taking into consideration methodological quality scores. Pooling of data was not carried out due to the heterogeneity of the results. The extract at higher dose (150 mg) showed a greater decreased frequency of migraine attacks and a greater number of responders (improvement >50%) after treatment over 3–4 months than the extract at lower dose (100 mg) and placebo. Moderate evidence of effectiveness is, thus, available for a higher than the recommended dose of the proprietary Petasites root extract Petadolex^® in the prophylaxis of migraine. Further rigorous studies are required to confirm effectiveness and safety in long-term use before treatment with Petasites root extract can be recommended as an alternative option in the treatment schedule for the prophylaxis of migraine.     

三带喙库蚊体内猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒的分离与鉴定

【目的】调查猪场蚊虫是否能携带猪繁殖与呼吸综合征(PRRS)病毒。【方法】采集发生PRRS疫情的3个养猪场蚊虫样本,采用RT-PCR方法检测PRRS病毒核酸,取阳性蚊虫样本接种Marc-145细胞进行病毒的分离培养,以间接免疫荧光抗体技术和分子克隆技术进行病毒的鉴定。【结果】 养猪场内的蚊虫主要有三带喙库蚊Culex tritaeniorhychus、凶小库蚊Culex modestus、中华按蚊Anopheles sinensis和骚扰阿蚊Armigeres obturbans,其中三带喙库蚊占86.76%;以PRRS病毒N基因引物进行扩增,三带喙库蚊样本呈现阳性反应,而其他蚊种均为阴性。在蚊虫接种的Marc-145细胞中可见细胞融合和空泡形成等细胞病变效应;用抗PRRS病毒N蛋白抗体和羊抗猪IgG(H+L)-FITC进行间接免疫荧光染色,感染细胞呈现黄绿色荧光;以NSP2基因引物进行RT-PCR扩增、克隆与测序,发现库蚊源病毒与相应猪场猪源病毒中相应基因的序列具有较高同源性。【结论】 三带喙库蚊为猪舍优势蚊种,并能携带猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒。     

A model of troponin-I in complex with troponin-C using hybrid experimental data: the inhibitory region is a beta-hairpin

We present a model for the skeletal muscle troponin-C (TnC)/troponin-I (TnI) interaction, a critical molecular switch that is responsible for calcium-dependent regulation of the contractile mechanism. Despite concerted efforts by multiple groups for more than a decade, attempts to crystallize troponin-C in complex with troponin-I, or in the ternary troponin-complex, have not yet delivered a high-resolution structure. Many groups have pursued different experimental strategies, such as X-ray crystallography, NMR, small-angle scattering, chemical cross-linking, and fluorescent resonance energy transfer (FRET) to gain insights into the nature of the TnC/TnI interaction. We have integrated the results of these experiments to develop a model of the TnC/TnI interaction, using an atomic model of TnC as a scaffold. The TnI sequence was fit to each of two alternate neutron scattering envelopes: one that winds about TnC in a left-handed sense (Model L), and another that winds about TnC in a right-handed sense (Model R). Information from crystallography and NMR experiments was used to define segments of the models. Tests show that both models are consistent with available cross-linking and FRET data. The inhibitory region TnI(95-114) is modeled as a flexible beta-hairpin, and in both models it is localized to the same region on the central helix of TnC. The sequence of the inhibitory region is similar to that of a beta-hairpin region of the actin-binding protein profilin. This similarity supports our model and suggests the possibility of using an available profilin/actin crystal structure to model the TnI/actin interaction. We propose that the beta-hairpin is an important structural motif that communicates the Ca2+-activated troponin regulatory signal to actin.     

The use of modelling and simulation approach in reconstructing past landscapes from fossil pollen data: a review and results from the POLLANDCAL network

Information on past land cover in terms of absolute areas of different landscape units (forest, open land, pasture land, cultivated land, etc.) at local to regional scales is needed to test hypotheses and answer questions related to climate change (e.g. feedbacks effects of land-cover change), archaeological research, and nature conservancy (e.g. management strategy). The palaeoecological technique best suited to achieve quantitative reconstruction of past vegetation is pollen analysis. A simulation approach developed by Sugita (the computer model POLLSCAPE) which uses models based on the theory of pollen analysis is presented together with examples of application. POLLSCAPE has been adopted as the central tool for POLLANDCAL (POLlen/LANdscape CALibration), an international research network focusing on this topic. The theory behind models of the pollen–vegetation relationship and POLLSCAPE is reviewed. The two model outputs which receive greatest attention in this paper are the relevant source area of pollen (RSAP) and pollen loading in mires and lakes. Six examples of application of POLLSCAPE are presented, each of which explores a possible use of the POLLANDCAL tools and a means of validating or evaluating the models with empirical data. The landscape and vegetation factors influencing the size of the RSAP, the importance of pollen productivity estimates (PPEs) for the model outputs, the detection of small and rare patches of plant taxa in pollen records, and quantitative reconstructions of past vegetation and landscapes are discussed on the basis of these examples. The simulation approach is seen to be useful both for exploring different vegetation/landscape scenarios and for refuting hypotheses.     

Extreme resistance to potato virus V in clones of Solanum tuberosum that are also resistant to potato viruses Y and A: evidence for a locus conferring broad-spectrum potyvirus resistance

 Extreme resistance to the potato V potyvirus (PVV) was found in four potato cultivars that contain Ry genes from Solanum stoloniferum. When plants of these cultivars, were inoculated by grafting in shoot tips from PVV-infected tomato plants, necrotic symptoms developed in some cultivars, although a full hypersensitive reaction was not elicited, while other cultivars were symptomless. PVV replication was not detected in any of the inoculated plants by ELISA, an infectivity assay of leaf extracts by manual inoculation to Nicotiana benthamiana indicator plants, or by ‘return grafting’ of shoot tips taken from newly developed shoots of the potato plants to virus-free indicator plants of tomato. These methods readily detected PVV infection in inoculated plants of cv ‘Flourball’, which does not contain an Ry gene and is susceptible, and in cvs ‘Maris Piper’ and ‘Dr Macintosh’, which contain gene Nv conditioning a hypersensitive reaction to inoculation. One of the Ry-containing cultivars, ‘Barbara’, has been previously shown to contain two genes that control extreme resistance, defined as no viral replication in intact plants, to the potyviruses potato viruses Y and A (PVY and PVA). These genes are: Ry _sto , which conditions resistance to PVY and PVA, and gene Ra, which conditions resistance to PVA only. It was found that in genotypes from a progeny of the cross ‘Barbara’ (Ry _sto /Ra)בFlourball’ (ry/ra), extreme resistance to PVV segregated with gene Ry _sto . It is proposed that either gene Ry _sto conditions broad-spectrum extreme resistance to the distinct potyviruses PVY, PVA, and PVV or that Ry _sto represents a family of genetically closely linked genes each controlling resistance to a specific virus. Received: 27 December 1996 / Accepted: 9 June 1997     

The Importance of Amine-degrading Enzymes on the Biogenic Amine Degradation in Fermented Foods: A review

Biogenic amines (BAs) are a class of harmful compounds often be found in high protein foods, especially naturally fermented foods. BAs derive from free amino acid decarboxylation through microbial activities and can cause toxic effects (headache, heart palpitations, vomiting) on humans, depending on individual sensitivity. Indigenous amine-degrading strains or strains producing amine-degrading enzymes (ADEs) have drawn great attention since they play an important role in affecting BA accumulation, and enzymes/genes involved in the biosynthetic mechanisms. They also help maintain the sensory quality of the final products. Besides, due to ADEs’ harmless catalytic products, they can be further utilized in fermented foods and beverages to reduce BAs. This review describes in detail the mechanisms of BAs formation, as well as the diversity of ADEs able to degrade BAs in a model or real food systems. A deeper knowledge of this issue is crucial because ADEs’ activities are often associated with strains rather than species or genera. Moreover, this information can help to improve the selection and characterization of strains for further applications as starters or bioprotective cultures, to obtain high-quality foods with reduced BAs contents.     

北方旱作区沟垄二元覆盖技术研究进展

北方旱作区降水稀少,水分不足是限制作物生长的主要因素,沟垄二元覆盖技术可进一步提高降水的利用效率和作物生产水平,在国内外已备受关注.为深刻理解中国北方旱作区沟垄二元覆盖技术模式及研究进展,本文就沟垄二元覆盖技术的概念、研究现状、配套农机具、技术模式及其土壤生态与作物效应进行了综述;在总结现有研究的基础上,归纳了典型旱作区沟垄二元覆盖技术模式的类型、作业操作及应用效果;科学评价不同沟垄二元覆盖技术下土壤与作物的生态效应;指出了目前沟垄二元覆盖技术研究中所存在的问题,并提出相应的建议.综合国内外沟垄集雨栽培技术的研究进展,提出沟垄二元覆盖模式及技术体系今后的重点研究方向:1)建立适合北方不同旱作类型区及不同作物的垄沟比;2)重视土壤水分与温度、肥力等其他因子耦合性研究;3)探索最佳环保型覆盖材料;4)加强沟垄二元覆盖模式及体系的技术评价、技术推广与配套机具设计等方面的研究.     

A review of mangrove rehabilitation in the Philippines: successes,failures and future prospects

From half a million hectares at the turn of the century, Philippine mangroves have declined to only 120,000 ha while fish/shrimp culture ponds have increased to 232,000 ha. Mangrove replanting programs have thus been popular, from community initiatives (1930s–1950s) to government-sponsored projects (1970s) to large-scale international development assistance programs (1980s to present). Planting costs escalated from less than US$100 to over $500/ha, with half of the latter amount allocated to administration, supervision and project management. Despite heavy funds for massive rehabilitation of mangrove forests over the last two decades, the long-term survival rates of mangroves are generally low at 10–20%. Poor survival can be mainly traced to two factors: inappropriate species and site selection. The favored but unsuitable Rhizophora are planted in sandy substrates of exposed coastlines instead of the natural colonizers Avicennia and Sonneratia. More significantly, planting sites are generally in the lower intertidal to subtidal zones where mangroves do not thrive rather than the optimal middle to upper intertidal levels, for a simple reason. Such ideal sites have long been converted to brackishwater fishponds whereas the former are open access areas with no ownership problems. The issue of pond ownership may be complex and difficult, but such should not outweigh ecological requirements: mangroves should be planted where fishponds are, not on seagrass beds and tidal flats where they never existed. This paper reviews eight mangrove initiatives in the Philippines and evaluates the biophysical and institutional factors behind success or failure. The authors recommend specific protocols (among them pushing for a 4:1 mangrove to pond ratio recommended for a healthy ecosystem) and wider policy directions to make mangrove rehabilitation in the country more effective.     

基于激光雷达数据的物种分布模拟: 以美国加州内华达山脉南部区域食鱼貂分布模拟为例

生态位模型通过拟合物种分布与环境变量之间的关系提供物种空间分布预测, 在生物多样性研究中有广泛应用。激光雷达(LiDAR)是一种新兴的主动遥感技术, 已被大量应用于森林三维结构信息的提取, 但其在物种分布模拟的应用研究比较缺乏。本研究以美国加州内华达山脉南部地区的食鱼貂(Martes pennanti)的分布模拟为例, 探索LiDAR技术在物种分布模拟中的有效性。生态位模型采用5种传统多类分类器, 包括神经网络、广义线性模型、广义可加模型、最大熵模型和多元自适应回归样条模型, 并使用正样本-背景学习(presence and background learning, PBL)算法进行模型校正; 同时对这5种模型使用加权平均进行模型集成, 作为第6个模型。此外, 一类最大熵模型也被用于模拟该物种的空间分布。模型的连续输出和二值输出分别使用AUC (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve)以及基于正样本-背景数据的评价指标F_pb进行评价。结果表明, 仅考虑气候因子(温度和降水)时, 7个模型的AUC和F_pb平均值分别为0.779和1.077; 当考虑LiDAR变量(冠层容重、枝下高、叶面积指数、高程、坡度等)后, AUC和F_pb分别为0.800和1.106。该研究表明, LiDAR数据能够提高食鱼貂空间分布的预测精度, 在物种分布模拟方面存在一定的应用价值。     

Complete predicted three-dimensional structure of the facilitator transmembrane protein and hepatitis C virus receptor CD81: conserved and variable structural domains in the tetraspanin superfamily

Tetraspanins are a superfamily of transmembrane proteins implicated in cellular development, motility, and activation through their interactions with a large range of proteins and with specific membrane microdomains. The complete three-dimensional structure of the tetraspanin CD81 has been predicted by molecular modeling and from the crystallographic structure of the EC2 large extracellular domain. Periodicity of sequence conservation, homology modeling, secondary structure prediction, and protein docking were used. The transmembrane domain appears organized as a four-stranded left-handed coiled coil directly connecting to two helices of the EC2. A smaller extracellular loop EC1 contains a small largely hydrophobic beta-strand that packs in a conserved hydrophobic groove of the EC2. The palmitoylable intracellular N-terminal segment forms an amphipathic membrane-parallel helix. Structural variability occurs mainly in an hypervariable subdomain of the EC2 and in intracellular regions. Therefore, the variable interaction selectivity of tetraspanins originates both from sequence variability within structurally conserved domains and from the occurrence of small structurally variable domains. In CD81 and other tetraspanins, the numerous membrane-exposed aromatic residues are asymmetrically clustered and protrude on one side of the transmembrane domain. This may represent a functional specialization of these two sides for interactions with cholesterol, proteins, or membrane microdomains.