噬菌体治疗细菌性感染及其限制因素

近年来,细菌耐药性已成为抗感染领域面临的严峻问题,临床对一些细菌性感染疾病束手无策。噬菌体疗法是一种通过噬菌体裂解细菌来治疗病原菌感染的治疗手段。噬菌体在抗菌领域表现出显著的优越性,成为目前治疗细菌性感染的研究热点。本文对近年来噬菌体治疗动物和人类病原菌感染、限制其临床应用的因素及解决措施进行综述。     

Metabolic factors limiting performance in marathon runners

Each year in the past three decades has seen hundreds of thousands of runners register to run a major marathon. Of those who attempt to race over the marathon distance of 26 miles and 385 yards (42.195 kilometers), more than two-fifths experience severe and performance-limiting depletion of physiologic carbohydrate reserves (a phenomenon known as 'hitting the wall'), and thousands drop out before reaching the finish lines (approximately 1-2% of those who start). Analyses of endurance physiology have often either used coarse approximations to suggest that human glycogen reserves are insufficient to fuel a marathon (making 'hitting the wall' seem inevitable), or implied that maximal glycogen loading is required in order to complete a marathon without 'hitting the wall.' The present computational study demonstrates that the energetic constraints on endurance runners are more subtle, and depend on several physiologic variables including the muscle mass distribution, liver and muscle glycogen densities, and running speed (exercise intensity as a fraction of aerobic capacity) of individual runners, in personalized but nevertheless quantifiable and predictable ways. The analytic approach presented here is used to estimate the distance at which runners will exhaust their glycogen stores as a function of running intensity. In so doing it also provides a basis for guidelines ensuring the safety and optimizing the performance of endurance runners, both by setting personally appropriate paces and by prescribing midrace fueling requirements for avoiding 'the wall.' The present analysis also sheds physiologically principled light on important standards in marathon running that until now have remained empirically defined: The qualifying times for the Boston Marathon.     

Mesophyll conductance and its limiting factors in plant leaves

Mesophyll conductance (g_m) represents the CO₂ diffusion facility from sub-stomatal internal cavities to carboxylation sites in chloroplasts, and the variation of g_m across genotypes as well as environmental conditions is expected to be related to the anatomical structures and biochemical properties of leaves. In recent years, the variation of g_m has attracted wide attention. The limiting factors in photosynthetic rate are no longer divided simply into stomatal limitation and non-stomatal limitation, but splitted in stomatal limitation, mesophyll limitation and carboxylation limitation. In this review, we summarize the potential influences of cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm, chloroplast envelope and stroma on g_m, and indicate that cell wall thickness and the surface area of chloroplast exposed to intercellular air space (S_c) are the most important factors influencing the g_m. We also analyze the probable effects of biochemical process related with aquaporins and carbonic anhydrase on g_m. Meanwhile, the regulation mechanisms of long- and short-term environment changes (including temperature, light intensity, drought, and nutrients) on g_m are also summarized. The relationship between g_m and hydraulic conductance (K_leaf) is debated. Finally, we discuss the scientific problems related with g_m.     

Nutrients and limiting factors

The terms nutrient and limiting factor summarise the results of an experiment in which increase in supply results in an increased response. By extension they are often — perhaps usually — used when the user believes that were such an experiment made it would have this characteristic. If the supply is further increased the response diminishes and may, eventually, become negative. Nutrient and limiting factor therefore apply, strictly, only when the circumstances are specified: they cannot be attached to a particular substance without qualification. The claim that nitrogen is a nutrient (or limiting factor) is incomplete. All nutrients are limiting factors, but the reverse is not true. The widespread belief that only one factor can limit a complex process at one time is demonstrably false in general, though it may sometimes be true in particular cases.     

Landscape genetics and limiting factors

Population connectivity is mediated by the movement of organisms or propagules through landscapes. However, little is known about how variation in the pattern of landscape mosaics affects the detectability of landscape genetic relationships. The goal of this paper is to explore the impacts of limiting factors on landscape genetic processes using simulation modeling. We used spatially explicit, individual-based simulation modeling to quantify the effects of habitat area, fragmentation and the contrast in resistance between habitat and non-habitat on the apparent strength and statistical detectability of landscape genetic relationships. We found that landscape genetic effects are often not detectable when habitat is highly connected. In such situations landscape structure does not limit gene flow. We also found that contrast in resistance values between habitat and non-habitat interacts with habitat extensiveness and fragmentation to affect detectability of landscape genetic relationships. Thus, the influence of landscape features critical to providing connectivity may not be detectable if gene flow is not limited by spatial patterns or resistance contrast of these features. We developed regression equations that reliably predict whether or not isolation by resistance will be detected independently of isolation by distance as a function of habitat fragmentation and contrast in resistance between habitat and non-habitat.     

Optimal brood size and its limiting factors in the Rufous Turtle DoveStreptopelia orientalis

Optimal brood size and its limiting factors of the Rufous Turtle Dove,Streptopelia orientalis, were studied at the campus of the University of Tsukuba, Japan, during the breeding season in 1990–92. The dove usually lays two eggs in a nest. I made nests of a brood size of one and three by transferring a hatchling from one nest to the other, and compared their fledging success, factors of breeding failure, weight and tarsus length at fledging, growth rate and nestling period with those of a brood of two. The index of fitness (fledgling weight multiplied by average number of fledglings per nest) was almost the same in broods of two and three. However, the highest variation in fledging weight within the brood and the extension of nestling period were observed in broods of three, which caused the extension of inter-brood interval and consequently the smaller number of broods in the total breeding season. Therefore, broods of three would not have an advantage in producing more offspring than broods of two. Crop milk production had an effect on the growth of nestlings in the early phase of the nestling period, but the rapid growth in the granivorous phase compensated for the growth delay of the smallest nestling in broods of three. Small brood size and a large number of broods in a season would also be more effective under high predation pressure.     

Hierarchical habitat selection by woodland caribou: its relationship to limiting factors

Habitat selection is a hierarchical process that may yield various patterns depending on the scales of investigation. We employed satellite radio‐telemetry to examine patterns of habitat selection by female woodland caribou in central Saskatchewan at both coarse (seasonal range) and fine (daily area) scales. At each scale, we converted spatial data describing compositions of available and used habitat to standardised resource selection indices and examined them with multivariate analyses of variance. Seasonal ranges generally showed preferential inclusion of peatlands and black spruce dominated stands relative to recently disturbed stands and early seral stage forests. In all populations, caribou preferred peatlands and black spruce forests to all other habitat types at the daily area scale, in general, these patterns may reveal the effective avoidance of wolves, the primary factor limiting caribou throughout the boreal forest. In three populations where seasonal ranges showed the selective inclusion of either young jack pine stands or clearcuts along with peatlands and black spruce forests, we found a relative avoidance of the clearcuts and young jack pine stands at the daily area scale. As all caribou populations in the area are thought to be relics of a once more continuous distribution, the seasonal range selection by animals in disturbed areas may better describe historic rather than current habitat selection. We found inter‐annual variation in selection at the coarser spatial scale in one population, and inter‐seasonal variation in selection at the finer spatial scale in three populations, indicating that the relative grains of the spatial and temporal scales coincide. We were better able to explain the seasonal variations in finer scale selection by considering available forage, a factor less likely than predation to limit woodland caribou populations. The data agree with the theory that the spatial and temporal hierarchy of habitat selection reflects the hierarchy of factors potentially limiting individual fitness.     

Genetic transformation of barley: limiting factors

This review summarizes main difficulties involved in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) transformation. The most commonly used procedures for genetic transformation in barley are Agrobacterium tumefaciens and particle bombardment mediated methods. While different barley cultivars are used for genetic engineering with varying sensitivity, recent improvements in regeneration and transformation techniques are described and summarized. Furthermore, some of the transformation complicating factors, in particular somaclonal variation and transgene insertion sites, are discussed in more detail.     

Linking moose habitat selection to limiting factors

It has been suggested that patterns of habitat selection of animals across spatial scales should reflect the factors limiting individual fitness in a hierarchical fashion. Animals should thus select habitats that permit avoidance of the most important limiting factor at large spatial scales while the influence of less important factors should only be evident at fine scales. We tested this hypothesis by investigating moose Alces alces habitat selection using GPS telemetry in an area where the main factors limiting moose numbers were likely (in order of decreasing importance) predation risk, food availability and snow. At the landscape scale, we predicted that moose would prefer areas where the likelihood of encountering wolves was low or areas where habitats providing protection from predation were dominant. At the home‐range scale, we predicted that moose selection would be driven by food availability and snow depth. Wolf territories were delineated using telemetry locations and the study area was divided into 3 sectors that differed in terms of annual snowfall. Vegetation surveys yielded 6 habitat categories that differed with respect to food availability, and shelter from predation or snow. Our results broadly supported the hypothesis because moose reacted to several factors at each scale. At the landscape scale, moose were spatially segregated from wolves by avoiding areas receiving the lowest snowfall, but they also preferentially established their home range in areas where shelter from snow bordered habitat types providing abundant food. At the home‐range scale, moose also traded off food availability with avoidance of deep snow and predation risk. During winter, moose increased use of stands providing shelter from snow along edges with stands providing abundant food. Habitat selection patterns of females with calves differed from that of solitary moose, the former being associated primarily with habitats providing protection from predation. Animals should attempt to minimize detrimental effects of the main limiting factors when possible at the large scale. However, when the risk associated with several potential limiting factors varies with scale, we should expect animals to make trade‐offs among these.     

The search for factors limiting growth rate

Search for a factor limiting the growth rate is described the salmon fry taken as an example. A simple dependence between the specific growth rate and DNA content (of the nuclei) in muscles was found. Age changes in the growth rate are due to the fact that the appearance of new nuclei lags behind the growth of muscle cells. A few models were proposed on this basis which correspond to various growth types.     

Environmental factors limiting fertilisation and larval success in corals

Coral Reefs - Events in the early life history of reef-building corals, including fertilisation and larval survival, are susceptible to changes in the chemical and physical properties of sea water....     

城市生态支持系统瓶颈分析方法及应用研究

城市是由社会、经济和自然 3个子系统构成的复合生态系统 ,城市的发展需要凭借城市生态支持系统的支撑。城市生态支持系统由多个因子组成 ,瓶颈要素是城市生态支持系统中阻碍和制约城市发展的因子。基于供需平衡原理 ,建立了以瓶颈指数和瓶颈等级为基础的瓶颈要素评价方法 ,并采用此方法对不同情景下各目标年广州城市生态支持系统瓶颈要素进行了辨识。分析结果表明 ,在当前资源利用及环境保护水平情景下 ,广州市城市生态支持系统不能适应广州城市未来的发展 ,对城市发展的制约作用十分明显 ;在实施生态调控策略情景下 ,瓶颈要素的制约作用有所缓解 ,广州城市生态支持系统支撑能力得到极大扩展 ,为城市生态系统实施可持续发展战略奠定了生态基础     

CO2 flux dynamics and its limiting factors in the alpine shrub-meadow and steppe-meadow on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau

高寒灌丛草甸和草甸均是青藏高原广泛分布的植被类型, 在生态系统碳通量和区域碳循环中具有极其重要的作用。然而迄今为止, 对其碳通量动态的时空变异还缺乏比较分析, 对碳通量的季节和年际变异的主导影响因子认识还不够清晰, 不利于深入理解生态系统碳通量格局及其形成机制。该研究选取位于青藏高原东部海北站高寒灌丛草甸和高原腹地当雄站高寒草原化草甸年降水量相近的5年(2004-2008年)的涡度相关CO₂通量连续观测数据, 对生态系统净初级生产力(NEP)及其组分, 包括总初级生产力(GPP)和生态系统呼吸的季节、年际动态及其影响因子进行了对比分析。结果表明: 灌丛草甸的CO₂通量无论是季节还是年际累积量均高于草原化草甸, 并且连续5年表现为“碳汇”, 平均每年NEP为70 g C·m ^-2·a ^-1, 高寒草原化草甸平均每年NEP为-5 g C·m ^-2·a ^-1, 几乎处于碳平衡状态, 但其源/汇动态极不稳定, 在2006年-88 g C·m ^-2·a ^-1的“碳源”至2008年54 g C·m ^-2·a ^-1的“碳汇”之间转换, 具有较大的变异性。这两种高寒生态系统源/汇动态的差异主要源于归一化植被指数(NDVI)的差异, 因为NDVI无论在年际水平还是季节水平都是NEP最直接的影响因子; 其次, 灌丛草甸还具有较高的碳利用效率(CUE, CUE = NEP/GPP), 而年降水量和NDVI是决定两生态系统CUE大小的关键因子。两地区除了CO₂通量大小的差异外, 其环境影响因子也有所不同。采用结构方程模型进行的通径分析表明, 灌丛草甸生长季节CO₂通量的主要限制因子是温度, NEP和GPP主要受气温控制, 随着气温升高而增加; 而草原化草甸的CO₂通量多以季节性干旱导致的水分限制为主, 其次才是气温的影响, 受二者的共同限制。此外, 两生态系统生长季节生态系统呼吸主要受GPP和5 cm土壤温度的直接影响, 其中GPP起主导作用, 非生长季节生态系统呼吸主要受5 cm土壤温度影响。该研究还表明, 水热因子的协调度是决定青藏高原高寒草地GPP和NEP的关键要素。     

Predation and other factors currently limiting New Zealand forest birds

Holdaway (1989) described three phases of historical extinctions and declines in New Zealand avifauna, the last of which (Group III, declining 1780?1986) was associated with European hunting, habitat clearance, and predation and competition from introduced European mammals. Some forest bird species have continued to decline since 1986, while others have increased, usually after intensive species-specific research and management programmes. In this paper, we review what is known about major causes of current declines or population limitation, including predation, competition for food or another resource, disease, forest loss, and genetic problems such as inbreeding depression and reduced genetic variation. Much experimental and circumstantial evidence suggests or demonstrates that predation by introduced mammals remains the primary cause of declines and limitation in remaining large native forest tracts. Predation alone is generally sufficient to explain the observed declines, but complex interactions between factors that vary between species and sites are likely to be the norm and are difficult to study. Currently, the rather limited evidence for food shortage is mostly circumstantial and may be obscured by interactions with predation. Climate and food supply determine the number of breeding attempts made by herbivorous species, but predation by introduced mammals ultimately determines the outcome of those attempts. After removal of pest mammals, populations are apparently limited by other factors, including habitat area, food supply, disease or avian predators. Management of these, and of inbreeding depression in bottlenecked populations, is likely to assist the effectiveness and resilience of management programmes. At the local or regional scale, however, forest area itself may be limiting in deforested parts of New Zealand. Without predator management, the number of native forest birds on the New Zealand mainland is predicted to continue to decline.     

Anaerobic respiration in latex ofHevea brasiliensis substrate and limiting factors

The site of anaerobic respiration in the latex is the serum. The main respiratory substrate is fructose. The CO₂ formation in serum is increased by additional fructose on the average about 2.5–3 times. Glucose does not influence CO₂ evolution by serum but slightly increases O₂ consumption. With respect to sugars, latex serum contains essentially only sucrose and a low amount of raffinose. During the incubation of serum sucrose is hydrolysed, the fructose component is immediately utilized in respiration and glucose accumulates. The rate of CO₂ formation in latex as influenced by fructose is negatively related to the rubber content of the latex. Latex with a high rubber content reacts only slightly or not at all on additional fructose. The main limiting factors of latex respiration and sugar utilization are the following:

1. The deficiency of substrate, due to low activity of β-fructofuranosidase.
2. The rate of glucose phosphorylation (D'Auzac, Jacob 1967).
3. Presumably the low activity of phosphoglucoisomerase.
4. The rubber content of the latex.
5. The concentration of CO₂ in latex; this factor may be important in vivo, in the laticiferous system.

     

Factors limiting the performance of prediction-based fold recognition methods

In the past few years, a new generation of fold recognition methods has been developed, in which the classical sequence information is combined with information obtained from secondary structure and, sometimes, accessibility predictions. The results are promising, indicating that this approach may compete with potential-based methods (Rost B et al., 1997, J Mol Biol 270:471-480). Here we present a systematic study of the different factors contributing to the performance of these methods, in particular when applied to the problem of fold recognition of remote homologues. Our results indicate that secondary structure and accessibility prediction methods have reached an accuracy level where they are not the major factor limiting the accuracy of fold recognition. The pattern degeneracy problem is confirmed as the major source of error of these methods. On the basis of these results, we study three different options to overcome these limitations: normalization schemes, mapping of the coil state into the different zones of the Ramachandran plot, and post-threading graphical analysis.