指导学生认识蘑菇的孢子印

蘑菇以其低脂肪高蛋白的品质成为人们日常食用的具有保健功能的上等菜肴,各地农贸市场以及超市均有出售,常见的蘑菇不下20多种,广大学生对此并不陌生。然而学生对蘑菇所产生的用于繁殖的孢子所知甚少,仅听说过孢子,但从未见过。为此,笔者在我系及附中进行生物学课外科技活动辅导时,开展了认识蘑菇孢子印的活动,效果很好。简介如下。     

Improved continuous-flow print head for micro-array deposition

Limitations in depositing ligands using conventional micro-array pin spotting have hindered the application of surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi) technology. To address these challenges we introduce a modification to our continuous-flow micro-spotting technology that improves ligand deposition. Using Flexchip™ protein A/G and neutravidin capturing surfaces, we demonstrate that our new microfluidic spotter requires 1000 times less concentrated antibodies and biotinylated ligands than is required for pin spotting. By varying the deposition flow rate, we show that the design of our tip overlay flow cell is efficient at delivering sample to the substrate surface. Finally, contact time studies show that it is possible to capture antibodies and biotinylated ligands at concentrations of less than 0.1 ug/ml and 100 pM, respectively. These improvements in spotting technology will help to expand the applications of SPRi systems in areas such as antibody screening, carbohydrate arrays, and biomarker detection.     

The power of print reading: comics in the classroom

Evidence from neuroscience and psychological studies supporting benefits of print reading over digital reading has recently been discussed in these columns (Perbal 2017 J. Cell Commun. Signal. 11:1–4). In the present commentary, I would like to add my perspective as a Humanities educator, and build upon the idea that print reading results in better comprehension, learning and communication. The argumentation that is presented herein is based on a study performed in a French Comics language class aimed at broadening students' knowledge and experience of graphic novels, and providing them with a cultural representation in the foreign language. The results that are discussed in this commentary indicate that upon reading printed books students created connections for a more meaningful learning experience, leading to personal growth and linguistic development. The impact these graphic novels had on students’ learning capacity and relationship to reading was tremendous. The kinesthetic relationship with printed text was deeply enriching and gratifying. The stimulatory effects on their imagination allowed for a more creative reading, and a deeper comprehension, resulting in meaningful communication.     

Neuroscience and psychological studies sustain the cognitive benefits of print reading

On behalf of the Journal of Cell Communication and Signaling Editorial board it is my great pleasure to present through this message of peace and love our warmest wishes of health, happiness and professional success. We sincerely hope that 2017 will be a peaceful year worldwide and that solutions will be brought to resolve the great tensions that crystalized last year into terrible acts of violence which reflected the inability of the political powers to bring satisfactory solutions to human dispair and fear. The year 2017 will be the time for celebration of the 10th JCCS anniversary and 9th International Workshop on the CCN family of Genes. Both events should allow us to meet in a productive interactive way. I have had the opportunity to express several times in these columns my deep belief in the power of communication at all levels of human biological and social interactions. Indeed, « Communication is the key » at large.     

Connections between finger print patterns and the form of terminal phalanges

The present paper resumes the theme taken up by Bonnevie in her studies of the embryonic development of dermatoglyphic systems. Relicts of the embryonic finger balls remain in later life (Fleischhacker) and influence the symmetry relationships of the terminal phalanges. Attention was, therefore, focussed on the connection between the asymmetry of terminal phalanges and that of the patterns. All loops and whorls with a different ridge count on the radial and on the ulnar side are asymmetrical. In order to determine the asymmetry of the terminal phalanges, casts were made of the fingers of 200 schoolchildren. Then, contour drawings were laid into various planes using the phalangograph (constructed on the same lines as the perigraph), and the plane of intersection of the two sides of the symmetry axis was determined planimetrically. A high correlation of r = 0·954 was established between the degree of asymmetry of the patterns and that of the terminal phalanges (cf. Figure 3).