Perception and Conception: Shaping Human Minds

Perceptual experiences provide an important source of information about the world. It is clear that having the capacity of undergoing such experiences yields an evolutionary advantage. But why should humans have developed not only the ability of simply seeing, but also of seeing that something is thus and so? In this paper, I explore the significance of distinguishing perception from conception for the development of the kind of minds that creatures such as humans typically have. As will become clear, it is crucial to pay careful attention to the different kinds of information that are involved in perceiving and conceiving (including the way such information is gathered and transmitted). By identifying such kinds of information and the role they play, we can then understand an important feature of why creatures like us have the kind of consciousness and mental processes we do.     

RNA干扰的研究进展及应用

RNA干扰(RNAi)是生物体的一种在进化上保持高度保守的,能抵御外源基因或外来病毒侵犯的重要防御机制,是一种序列特异性的转录后基因沉默现象。它由双链RNA引发,广泛存在于动、植物等各种生物体内。我们简要综述了RNAi发生的机制、特点、哺乳动物与RNAi现象,以及RNAi的应用等。     

松辽流域河流表层沉积物中有机氯农药的分布特征

利用气相色谱-电子捕获检测器(gas chromatography-electron capture detector,GC-ECD)对松辽流域重点污染河流22个表层沉积物样品的13种有机氯农药进行了分析.结果表明,大辽河流域有机氯农药含量为3.06～23.24 ng·g^-1,松花江流域为4.26～18.45 ng·g^-1.松辽流域沉积物中主要有机氯农药为六六六(HCH),松花江流域和大辽河流域表现出了不同的污染趋势.松花江沉积物中也有较高的滴滴涕(DDT)残留量.整个松辽流域都有较高含量的丙体六六六(γ-HCH),超过了其初始效应浓度,可能对该地区水生生物产生毒性效应.     

基于小波变换的心电信号去噪综合算法

目的：研究去除心电信号中的基线漂移、工频干扰和肌电干扰等噪声,提高心电信号的自动识别和诊断精度。方法：利用Coif4小波对心电信号进行8尺度分解,采用小波分解重构法去除基线漂移,然后利用改进的小波闽值算法去除工频干扰和肌电干扰。结果：利用Matlab仿真工具,选择MIT-BIH心率失常数据库中信号进行验证,能有效去除这三种噪声,并且很好的保持R波的信息。结论：本算法在不丢失心电信号有用信息的前提下,可以较好的去除三种常见的噪声,可以用于心电信号自动分析之前的预处理。     

“What Do Animals Mean to You?”: Naming and Relating to Nonhuman Animals

ABSTRACT

This article presents an analysis of data from over 200 accounts of, and responses to questions about, how animals feature in people's lives. The accounts were generated by a Mass Observation Project (MOP) directive on “Animals and Humans.” The MOP, based at a UK university, sends out two or three directives a year, asking correspondents to write in response to a series of questions and prompts. The “Animals and humans” directive began with the question, “What do animals mean to you?” followed by a range of prompts about respondents' experiences of animals. The paper is specifically concerned with issues of how language both reflects and contributes to typologies of living creatures. It presents a qualitative analysis of some of the themes that emerged from responses to the directive, as well as a more quantitative analysis of the words chosen by respondents to denote different kinds of animals. Using these different methodological approaches, it focuses on how moral ambiguity is expressed and the ways in which categories and meanings shift depending on linguistic context. These methods complement each other, with the computer-assisted linguistic analysis providing a different and more quantitative method of revealing aspects of people's values, attitudes, and assumptions as they report on the role of animals in their lives. Overall, the paper shows how a corpus linguistic analysis can demonstrate the permeability of categories and boundaries, and the moral ambiguity toward animals that is revealed in the way language is used.     

Forest and Demons in the Papua New Guinea Highlands

The Wola people of the Southern Highland Province of Papua New Guinea believe that two kinds of demon spirit inhabit the montane forests of their region. They call them saem and iybtit. When people are attacked by these frightening creatures, they are injured or fall sick, and may die; their relatives perform rituals to drive the demons away and promote their recovery. The attitude of the Wola towards demon spirits expresses something of their ambivalent and enigmatic attitudes towards the forest that covers large areas of their region. They are neither innate conservationists nor reckless destroyers of forest, but something more equivocal, an antipathetic combination of both.     

微卫星序列及其应用

微卫星序列广泛存在于各类真核生物基因组中,一般为散在分布的中等程度重复序列。不同物种中,微卫星序列的含量以及占优势的微卫星序列类型各不相同。复制时,微卫星序列易于发生长度突变,这种突变与微卫星序列的复制滑移有关,同时也受多种因素的影响。微卫星序列可能是原微卫星序列通过复制滑移使序列长度扩增形成的。进化过程中,微卫星序列的长度变化维持在一定的范围内。由于微卫星标记多态性高、重复性好,并且操作简单,因此在基因的定位、人类疾病诊断及预测、亲权分析、品种鉴定、进化研究,以及动植物分子标记辅助选择育种研究等领域中都有着重要的应用价值。 Abstract:Microsatellites,simple sequence repeats (SSR),are abundant and distributed throughout the eukaryote genome.The contents of microsatellites are variant in different creatures.There are also different types of microsatellites,which are dominant in different creatures.One of the most noticeable characters of microsatellites is that they are easy to expand during DNA replication.It is thought to attribute to DNA slippage.This kind of mutation is affected by many factors.It is guessed that microsatellites come from pro-microsatellites,while the pro-microsatellites origin from random point mutations.The length of microsatellites can be maintained under relative conservative ranges during species evolution.As they are abundant,codominatnt,distributed over the euchromatic part of the genome,and have the character of highly polimorphic,microsatellites are useful tools for gene mapping,clinical diagnosis and predicting,paternity or pedigree analysis,evolution study,and marker-assisted breeding.     

DO THE LATERAL FIELDS EXIST IN SOME GALEASPIDS (JAWLESS FISHES)?

<正> Pan et Wang (1981) reported that the dorsal shield of the galeaspid, Qingmenaspis, held a large opening on each side, but owing to the ill preservation they reservedly assumed it likely to be a dorsal branchial opening. This structure was also recognized later in Lungmenshanaspis by Wang Nian-zhong (1991). He considered its function to remain obscure. More recently Pan (1992) described the structure in a number of new galeaspids and renamed it fenestra. He distingushed the structure into two kinds: the lateral dorsal fenestra, which is narrow and small, existing in Pentathyraspis and Microhoplonaspis, and the dorsal fenestra, which is broad, found in Macrothyraspis, Sinoszechuanaspis as well as Qingmenaspis. Pan assumed the fenestra to be coverd by the skin when the creatures were alive, and to play a role in hydrodynamic. He regarded this structure as a unique character for the fenestra galeaspids.     

Absence of interference in association with gene conversion in Sordaria fimicola, and presence of interference in association with ordinary recombination

From the analysis of large samples of gene conversion asci in the g locus of Sordaria fimicola, it was found that neither the conversion event itself nor conversion-associated recombination of flanking markers cause either chiasma or chromatid interference with crossing over in a neighboring interval. The presence of more than one kind of crossover event, one causing interference the other not, is considered. The existence of two kinds of gene loci, one of single-cistron composition and the other of multiple-cistron composition, is discussed in relation to reciprocal recombination within a locus.     

中国婴儿中脊灰母传抗体水平对两种疫苗免疫效果的影响

为了了解2月龄婴儿中针对脊髓灰质炎病毒的中和抗体水平,并探讨母传抗体对脊髓灰质炎减毒活疫苗(OPV)和灭活疫苗(IPV)免疫效果的影响。对416名2月龄婴儿分别接种OPV和IPV,采集免疫前后血清,用微量中和法检测血清中Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ型脊髓灰质炎病毒中和抗体滴度,评价抗体GMT水平及4倍增长情况。检测结果显示,2月龄婴儿母传抗体Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ型阳性率分别为45%、38.2%和17.5%,抗体GMT水平为9.0、8.1和5.2。经接种两组疫苗后,母传抗体阳性者与阴性者免后抗体GMT水平相比,OPV组无明显差异,IPV组阳性者略低于阴性者。在免前抗体滴度<1∶32人群中,OPV组免后抗体滴度4倍增长率及几何滴度增长倍数分别为:Ⅰ型93.6%、71.2;Ⅱ型98.2%、43.7;Ⅲ型91.7%、47.9;IPV组免后抗体滴度4倍增长率及几何滴度增长倍数分别为:Ⅰ型82%、9.4;Ⅱ型62.8%、5.1;Ⅲ型95.6%、11.7;在免前抗体滴度1∶32～1∶128人群中,OPV组Ⅰ型92.3%、23;Ⅱ型86.4%、13.9;Ⅲ型55.6%、4.1;IPV组Ⅰ型48%、2.5;Ⅱ型15%、0.9;Ⅲ型55.6%、2.7。目前中国2月龄婴儿免前脊灰抗体阳性率较高,尤其是Ⅰ、Ⅱ型。脊灰母传抗体对两种疫苗免疫效果有一定干扰,对IPV疫苗的影响较为明显。     

不同细胞系中RNA干扰抑制血管内皮生长因子表达

目的通过RNA干扰技术抑制血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)表达,并观察在不同细胞系中,RNA干扰作用强度的变化。方法将VEGF基因作为RNA干扰的靶区,通过E-RNAi网上提供的服务,设计两个特异的RNA干扰序列,将其装入含U6启动子的载体上,构建成抗VEGF基因的小发夹样RNA(shRNA)表达载体,再转染人胚肾细胞HEK293、结肠癌细胞HT29、宫颈癌细胞Hela和肝癌细胞HepG2,通过RT-PCR观察VEGF表达受抑的程度及在不同细胞系中RNA干扰作用强度的变化。结果成功构建了两种抗VEGF基因的shRNA表达载体,发现其在HEK293和HT29细胞系中,能明显抑制VEGF基因的表达,抑制率分别为72%和42%;但在Hela细胞中,抑制作用明显减低至28%;在HepG2细胞中抑制作用更弱,仅为13%。结论针对VEGF基因的shRNA表达载体能够明显抑制VEGF基因的表达,但在不同细胞系中的作用强度有明显差别,提示RNA干扰作用存在明显的细胞系选择性。     

RNA干扰抑制结肠癌细胞血管内皮生长因子表达

目的 应用RNA干扰技术抑制结肠癌血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）表达。方法 将VEGF基因作为RNA干扰的靶区,通过E-RNAi网上提供的服务,设计两个特异的RNA干扰序列,将其装入含U6启动子的载体上,构建成抗VEGF基因的小发夹样RNA（shRNA）表达载体,再转染人结肠癌细胞HT29,通过RT-PCR、Northern杂交、免疫荧光和Western杂交,观察VEGF表达受抑的程度。结果 成功构建了两种抗VEGF基因的shRNA表达载体,RT-PCR、Northern杂交、免疫荧光和Western杂交,均发现其能明显抑制HT29细胞VEGF基因的表达,抑制率分别达42%、88%、73%和82%。结论 针对VEGF基因的shRNA表达载体能够明显抑制结肠癌细胞VEGF基因的表达。     

家蚕核型多角体病毒lef-11基因RNA干扰策略的优化

【目的】家蚕核型多角体病毒(Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus,BmNPV)lef-11基因作为杆状病毒高度保守的晚期表达因子之一,对病毒晚期基因的表达极其重要。因此对lef-11基因进行有效RNA干扰将提高宿主细胞对BmNPV的抗性。【方法】本文基于经典的sh-RNA-loop骨架及家蚕内源性的miRNA骨架,构建以BmNPV lef-11基因为靶标的干扰载体pIZ-shRNA1、pIZ-shRNA2和pIZ-Ds RedamiR279;分别构建基于A4、IE1、IE1-295、IE2、IE2-339、hr3A4和hsp70启动子驱动的干扰载体,用以评价不同启动子驱动的干扰载体的抗病毒效果,并对干扰载体进行优化。【结果】首先,本文通过比较miRNA-based和shRNA-based RNAi载体对同一靶基因同一位点的干扰效率,发现pIZ-Ds Red-amiR279对BmNPV lef11基因的干扰效率超过90%,远优于shRNA-based RNAi载体的干扰效果;其次,通过对干扰载体进行优化,发现IE1启动子的效果最优,由其驱动的pIZ-Ds Red-milef11干扰载体也是本研究中的最优干扰载体,对病毒的增殖抑制效果最为明显。【结论】对目的基因的干扰效果并非启动子的活性越高、miRNA积累得越多就越好,只有综合考虑干扰片段的选择、启动子的活性以及靶基因自身的功能等多方面的因素,才能提高干扰效率,达到干扰目的。     

A preliminary report of phylogenetic diversity of bacterial strains isolated from marine creatures

Bacterial diversity among marine creatures, especially molluscs, as a source for searching out novel lineages of bacteria, was studied. Marine creatures were collected at the coasts of the Kanto area in Japan. A total of 116 strains of bacteria were isolated from the intestines of 19 species of marine creatures includings molluscs, pisces and protochordata. Partial sequencing of 16S rDNA revealed that most of the isolates belonged to the gamma subclass of the Proteobacteria and Cytophaga-Flavobacterium-Bacteroides group. The BLAST searches revealed that the complete 16S rDNA sequence of 17 strains out of 116 isolates showed less than 94% similarity with 16S rDNA sequences deposited in the database. Four strains out of the 17 isolates belonged to the Rhodobacter group, 8 strains to the Alteromonas group, and the remaining 5 strains to the Cytophaga-Flavobacterium-Bacteroides group. Phylogenetic positions of 6 strains belonging to the Alteromonas group, which were isolated from different marine creatures, were close to each other, and represented a novel 16S rDNA lineage within the gamma subclass of Proteobacteria. Therefore, it may be inferred that these 6 strains belong to a new genus of Proteobacteria. Phylogenetic positions of the other strains are also independent from neighboring taxa, and they were suggested to respectively form a novel lineage. From these results, it is clear that the biodiversity of bacteria in marine creatures is much wider than was previously thought, and unknown microbiological resources are buried in these organisms.     

Mammalian Pol III Promoter H1 can Transcribe shRNA Inducing RNAi in Chicken Cells

Double-stranded RNA-mediated interference (RNAi) has recently emerged as a powerful reverse genetic tool to silence gene expression in multiple organisms. RNAi based on DNA vector is not sufficiently established in chicken species. The present study was performed to evaluate RNAi induced by shRNA transcribed from mammalian Pol III promoter H1 in the chicken cells by using a dual fluorescence reporter assay, a plasmid encoding GFP and a plasmid encoding RFP. The evaluation of RNAi efficiency was performed in two kinds of chicken cell type: primary CEF cells and chicken DT-40 cells by lipofection. GFP- and RFP-expressing cells were observed under fluorescent microscopy, and their mRNAs content were analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR. The intensity of the green fluorescence generated by GFP was greatly suppressed by human H1 promoter transcribed GFP-shRNA. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed that normalized GFP mRNA expression was reduced to 37 and 32 in primary CEF and DT-40 cells, respectively. In contrast to GFP, the intensity of the red fluorescence generated by RFP protein and the RFP mRNA levels remained unchanged. Consequently, it was concluded that the RNAi induced by shRNA transcribed from mammalian Pol III promoter H1 is applicable to suppress the gene expression specifically and efficiently in chicken cells. Jing Yuan and Xiaobo Wang - These authors contributed equally to this work.     

The dynamics of cohort selection

The dynamics of cohort selection in age-structured populations is explored in a series of computer simulations using a single-locus two-allele model. Cohort selection is a directional process which is a consequence of genetically determined inter-cohort variation in the magnitude of expression of interference behavior; its essential premise is that all genotypes of a given age are equally susceptible to interference and that no advantage accrues to the interfering genotype. In these simulations, allele frequency, population size, intensity of interference, and reproductive apportionment are all major determinants of evolutionary rates. The generality of this process is demonstrated and an analysis of the observed frequency-dependent effects is presented. Cohort selection is distinct from other kinds of selection and may be an important cause of the persistence of interference behavior (culminating in acts of spite) within animal populations.     

SW620细胞RACK1稳定RNA干扰细胞系的构建与鉴定

目的:为研究RACK1在结肠癌发生发展中的作用,构建结肠癌RACK1基因稳定RNA干扰(RNAi)细胞系。方法:根据人Gnb211 c DNA序列,运用干扰原则选择5个干扰位点并合成相应干扰片段,定向克隆入p Lentilox3.7干扰载体鼠U6启动子后并测序验证。用干扰及对照质粒分别转染HEK293T细胞48小时后,RT-PCR鉴定干扰效率,选出干扰效率较高的质粒包装慢病毒感染人结肠癌细胞SW620,流式无菌分选出荧光阳性的细胞扩增培养,RT-PCR及Western blotting鉴定慢病毒干扰效率。使用慢病毒构建的SW620 RACK1稳定RNAi细胞系及对照组进行MTT实验初步研究RACK1对SW620增殖的影响。结果:酶切和测序证实RACK1sh RNA质粒构建正确,产生能同时表达绿色荧光蛋白(EGFP)和RACK1 sh RNA的慢病毒载体质粒。慢病毒转导SW620并流式无菌分选扩增培养后,与空载体组相比,2个RNAi组均不同程度抑制RACK1表达,RACK1sh RNA5抑制作用最明显,RACK1干扰组细胞增殖得到了抑制。结论:SW620细胞RACK1稳定RNAi细胞系构建成功,为深入研究RACK1在结直肠癌发生发展中的作用奠定了基础。     

明胶中细菌内毒素的检测

作者通过鲎试验法检测多种来源、多个批号的药用明胶中细菌内毒素含量并进行合格批号的干扰试验,证明明胶对鲎试剂有干扰作用,其作用表现为浓度越高干扰越大。抗增液无助于消除明胶对鲎试剂的干扰,而有效的稀释可克服这种干扰。并对明胶及含明胶成份的生物制品在细菌内毒素检测中的限值确定及其试验影响进行了讨论。     

大腹园蛛Avg1 cDNA的克隆和序列分析

组织蛋白酶(cathepsin)是一大类裂解肽键的蛋白水解酶,根据其催化中心不同,组织蛋白酶B(CB)属于半胱氨酸蛋白酶,易被巯基试剂抑制,因此又是巯基酶类,隶属于木瓜蛋白酶族[1 ] .CB可分解胶原蛋白、层粘连蛋白等基底膜的主要成分,近年来发现与癌细胞的浸润和转移有密切的关系[2 ]     

小鼠CYP2E1基因靶向miRNA表达载体的构建及鉴定

目的设计并构建靶向小鼠CYP2E1基因的miRNA干扰质粒,为探索CYP2E1基因功能奠定基础。方法应用invitrogen设计软件设计两条干扰小鼠CYP2E1基因的靶向miRNA序列,合成相应的回文DNA序列,退火后分别连接到pcDNATM6.2-GW/EmGFP-miR载体上,构建两套miRNA真核表达载体CYP2E1-miR1和CYP2E1-miR2,并使用该载体特有的串联方法将两载体上的miRNA前体寡核苷酸序列进行串联成为CYP2E1-miR1-miR2;将上述重组载体分别与构建的pcDNA3.1（＋）-CYP2E1表达质粒共转染入293T细胞,RT-PCR法鉴定其干扰效果。结果经酶切及测序鉴定,针对鼠CYP2E1基因的miRNA干扰质粒构建成功,并能够有效抑制共转染入293T细胞的pcDNA3.1（＋）-CYP2E1质粒的表达,且串联质粒CYP2E1-miR1-miR2优于单独的干扰质粒CYP2E1-miR1及CYP2E1-miR2。结论小鼠CYP2E1基因的靶向miRNA表达载体构建成功。