RAP—PCXR技术及其应用

RAP－PCXR是以PCR为基础构建RNA指纹图谱,研究基因差异表达的有效方法,所显示的种系特异性差异可用于对基因的遗传作图,所揭示的组织特异性可用于研究特异基因的表达。该法可检测各种情形下RNA群体间的差异。本简介其基本原理及在基因差异表达研究领域的最新应用。     

Whence useful plants? A direct relationship between biodiversity and useful plants among the Dusun of Mt. Kinabalu

Traditionally the Dusun indigenous people of Borneo consider Mt. Kinabalu the home of spirits and ancestors, and they are loath to climb the summit without good cause and plentiful propitiation. In apparent accordance with these beliefs, Projek Etnobotani Kinabalu has recorded few useful plants at high elevations on Mt. Kinabalu. We ask the question: is this an ecological relationship with fewer useful plants being collected at high elevations, or is it an ethnological product of belief with fewer plants collected where people fear to tread? With an indigenous Dusun plant expert (second author) well versed with all areas of Mt. Kinabalu, data on the number and kinds of useful plants were collected for dominant and indicator plant species (168 spp.) among all ecologically identified vegetation types. Results indicate that there are more useful plant species at lower elevations – but there are also more unused species. Once the data are corrected for change in the number of plant species with elevation (useful spp./total spp.), the proportion of useful species are not significantly different over elevation. Thus, useful species are a function of overall biodiversity (i.e., number of useful spp. are correlated with number of plant species, a secondary ecological factor) and not a direct ecological correlate with elevation. The number or kinds of uses also correlates with total number of plant species. In support of direct ecological causation, there is evidence that edaphic conditions (i.e., ultramafic and other poor soils) are associated with reduced proportions of useful species. Ultimately, both ethnological and ecological factors contribute to patterns of people's use of plants with many implications for conservation and biodiversity.     

Regeneration Ecology of the Useful Flora of the Putu Range Rainforest, Liberia

Regeneration Ecology of the Useful Flora of the Putu Range Rainforest, Liberia. We test the hypothesis that useful plants in general, and medicines in particular, are more likely to be pioneer and herbaceous species than any other guild or habit, using data from six communities in southeastern Liberia. Of 624 surveyed species from seven locally defined vegetation classes, 228 species (36 %) were found to be useful in the categories of food, medicine, materials, and social use. Five habits account for 98 % of surveyed species: Trees, treelets (including two palm species), lianes (including root climbers), shrubs, and herbs. Four guilds account for 93 % of the surveyed species: Swamp, shade–bearer, pioneer, and non–pioneer light demander (NPLD) species. A significantly higher proportion of pioneers is found to be useful overall (55 %) and useful medicinally (69 %) than for any other guild. However, the shade–bearing guild provides the greatest number of useful species (92 species) and the greatest number of medicinal species (55 species). Fifteen species were shortlisted by the communities for their particular importance, of which only one is a pioneer species. A similar proportion of species of each habit (about one–third of species) was found to be useful overall. In the case of medicinal use in particular, a significantly larger proportion of herbs (63 %) is medicinal than for any other habit. Our study from West Africa supports the findings of others working in the neotropics that disturbed and secondary vegetation classes are important sources of useful plants, particularly medicines. However, the greatest number of useful species are shade–bearing, which are most abundant in primary forest. Familiarity with and accessibility of old–growth forests to the communities of our study site due to Liberia’s recent history is likely responsible for their usefulness.     

Surface coil magnetic resonance imaging

Detection of MR signals with surface coils provides increased signal-to-noise ratio for superficial structures relative to detection by circumferential coils, permitting improved spatial resolution. Different geometries of surface coils can be used for different regions. Coils that are flat or curved to fit body contours are good for general imaging, with a range of coil sizes useful for structures of different size or depth. Solenoidal coils are useful for imaging protruding structures such as breasts, while smaller versions of conventional circumferential coils that can be slipped over limbs are useful for imaging extremities.     

Genomic patenting and the utility requirement

This paper analyses the ways in which genomic knowledge is portrayed as useful knowledge in gene patenting in order to fulfil the 'utility'/'industrial applicability' requirement for patentability. It gives examples of utility claims in gene patents and asks whether genomics (as opposed to genetics) changes our ideas about what is useful and what can be patented. It puts forward a provisional classification of different types of utility and argues that merely identifying the physiological function of a gene diverges radically from our commonsense understanding of what it is for an invention to be useful. Furthermore, social, political and ethical issues inevitably arise when discussing the utility requirement, because an invention cannot be useful in isolation from a social context.     

Genomic patenting and the utility requirement

This paper analyses the ways in which genomic knowledge is portrayed as useful knowledge in gene patenting in order to fulfil the ‘utility’/‘industrial applicability’ requirement for patentability. It gives examples of utility claims in gene patents and asks whether genomics (as opposed to genetics) changes our ideas about what is useful and what can be patented. It puts forward a provisional classification of different types of utility and argues that merely identifying the physiological function of a gene diverges radically from our commonsense understanding of what it is for an invention to be useful. Furthermore, social, political and ethical issues inevitably arise when discussing the utility requirement, because an invention cannot be useful in isolation from a social context.     

The use of 13C-NMR spectra of lipopolysaccharide-protein complexes to determine the structure of O-specific polysaccharides

Lipopolysaccharide-protein complexes are shown to be useful for elucidation of O-specific polysaccharide structures. This approach may be especially useful in studying polysaccharides with labile linkages in the molecule.     

A comparison of the nature and abundance of microsatellites in 14 fungal genomes

An overview of the character of microsatellites in 14 fungal genomes was obtained by analyzing databases containing complete or nearly complete genome sequences. Low GC content, rather than genome size, was the best predictor of high microsatellite density, although very long iterations of tandem repeats were less common in small genomes. Motif type correlated with %GC in that low-GC genomes were more likely to be dominated by A/T-rich motifs, and vice versa, although some exceptions were noted. The experimentally useful dinucleotide and trinucleotide arrays were analyzed in greater detail. Although these varied in sequence and length among fungal species, some that are likely to be universally useful were identified. This information will be useful for researchers wanting to identify the most useful microsatellites to analyze for the fungi included in this survey and provides a platform for choosing microsatellites to target in fungi that are not yet sequenced.     

A specific primer pair for the diagnosis and identification of Acanthamoeba astronyxis by random amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) is a useful tool for species identification. The obtained band patterns can be used for specific primer pair design that is useful for species identification. In this study, a distinctive 485-bp band in Acanthamoeba astronyxis band patterns was found, using the OPC20 primer (ACTTCGCCAC). The band specificity was confirmed by hybridization, using it as a probe, against all OPC20 amplifications from different Acanthamoeba species. Once the fragment was sequenced, we used it to design a specific primer pair that was useful for the identification of different isolates as A. astronyxis species.     

Cell labeling approaches for fluorescence-based in vivo flow cytometry

We provide an overview of the methods used to label circulating cells for fluorescence detection by in vivo flow cytometry. These methods are useful for cell tracking in small animals without the need to draw blood samples and are particularly useful for the detection of circulating cancer cells and quantification of circulating immune cells.     

Cell cycle analysis using the monoclonal antibody Ki-67

We determined by flow cytometry the proportion of cells in cycle with the monoclonal antibody Ki-67 and also in S-phase after incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd) with monoclonal antibody to BrdUrd. The monoclonal antibody Ki-67 was useful to detect a nuclear antigen present only in proliferating cells but not expressed in resting (Go) cells. Cell preparation to measure BrdUrd amount incorporated into cellular DNA was difficult but this anti-BrdUrd antibody was useful for measuring the rate of DNA synthesis and for the analysis of precious cell kinetics. These antibodies may provide useful information of cell kinetics.     

Design and Evaluation of a Specific Primer Pair for the Diagnosis and Identification of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acanthamoeba polyphaga</Emphasis>

Random amplified polymorphism DNA (RAPD) is a useful tool for species identification. The obtained band patterns can be used for specific primer pair design that may be useful for species diagnosis. In this study, a distinctive a 962-bp band in A. polyphaga band patterns was found, by using the OPC20 primer (ACTTCGCCAC). The DNA fragment was used to design a specific primer pair that was useful for the identification of different isolates as A. polyphaga species. A case of A. polyphaga in disseminated acanthamoebiasis affecting mesenteric nodes is also reported.     

High-accuracy proteome maps of human body fluids

The proteomes most likely to contain clinically useful disease biomarkers are those of human body fluids. Three recent large-scale proteomic analyses of tears, urine and seminal plasma using the latest mass spectrometric technology will provide useful datasets for biomarker discovery.     

MamuSNP: a resource for Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta) genomics

We developed a novel method for identifying SNPs widely distributed throughout the coding and non-coding regions of a genome. The method uses large-scale parallel pyrosequencing technology in combination with bioinformatics tools. We used this method to generate approximately 23,000 candidate SNPs throughout the Macaca mulatta genome. We estimate that over 60% of the SNPs will be of high frequency and useful for mapping QTLs, genetic management, and studies of individual relatedness, whereas other less frequent SNPs may be useful as population specific markers for ancestry identification. We have created a web resource called MamuSNP to view the SNPs and associated information online. This resource will also be useful for researchers using a wide variety of Macaca species in their research.     

Cadushi (Cereus repandus Mill.), a useful cactus of curacao

The cadushi is the more useful of the two columnar cacti which dominate the landscape throughout the island of Curacao. Its fluted stems furnish a staple foodstuff; when dry serve for torches, fuel and fences. Thick trunks of old specimens are useful in carpentry.     

A New Method for Flat Embedding in Glycol Methacrylate

Glycol methacrylate (GMA) is a useful polymer for embedding tissue because of its stability, hydrophilic properties, and resistance to many solvents (Feder a d O'Brien 1968, Bennett et a/. 1976). Undue solvent extraction is also avoided as GMA contains water, making complete dehydration unnecessary (Cole and Sykes 1974). This property shows some evidence that GMA embedded sections may be useful in energy dispersive analysis by X-ray for some elements (DeNee et al. 1977). GMA also does not exclude water soluble dye molecules and has thus become a useful medium for histochemical studies (Bennett et al. 1976).     

Differentiation between genera Rhodococcus and Nocardia by susceptibility testing to kanamycin and some other antituberculosis agents

The test for susceptibility to kanamycin is useful for differentiating between the genera Rhodococcus and Nocardia. All rhodococci except R. equi, R. erythropolis, and R. aurantiacus are susceptible to kanamycin, whereas all nocardiae except N. otitidis-caviarum are resistant to kanamycin. Tests for susceptibility to rifampicin, streptomycin, and minocycline also are useful for differentiating among the species of each genus.     

Principles and practice of peptide analysis with capillary zone electrophoresis

Capillary electrophoresis provides a new analytical tool that complements reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography separations of peptides. The principles of this technique and their application to developing peptide analyses are described. Detailed recipes for useful buffers and for preparation of the instrument are provided. A sequence of generally useful experiments is suggested. Basic troubleshooting guidelines are provided.     

Epidemic strains of Salmonella agona differentiated by phage restriction and u. v.-protection markers on Collb plasmids

Genes for phage restriction and u. v.-protection, carried by some Coll plasmids, are useful markers of plasmids carried by host bacteria. Colicinogeny, with associated marker characters, may prove useful for strain differentiation as it did, in this study, with strains of Salmonella agona involved in an outbreak.     

Physiological and Behavioral Responses of Horses to Wither Scratching and Patting the Neck When Under Saddle

Riding is considered to be an arousing activity for horses. It has been suggested that wither scratching may be a more useful tool for relaxation compared with the common practice of neck patting. In the current study, 18 horses were exposed to 3 treatments, including control or no interaction, neck patting, and wither scratching, for 1 min each following a short obstacle course. Heart rate, heart rate variability, and a variety of behaviors were measured in the horses. Wither scratching produced a significantly longer duration of relaxed-type behaviors. Wither scratching could be a useful tool to help a horse relax while under saddle. Additionally, the study identified 2 ear positions that may be useful for future research in horse behavior.