A Novel Approach for Dynamic Testing of Total Hip Dislocation under Physiological Conditions

Constant high rates of dislocation-related complications of total hip replacements (THRs) show that contributing factors like implant position and design, soft tissue condition and dynamics of physiological motions have not yet been fully understood. As in vivo measurements of excessive motions are not possible due to ethical objections, a comprehensive approach is proposed which is capable of testing THR stability under dynamic, reproducible and physiological conditions. The approach is based on a hardware-in-the-loop (HiL) simulation where a robotic physical setup interacts with a computational musculoskeletal model based on inverse dynamics. A major objective of this work was the validation of the HiL test system against in vivo data derived from patients with instrumented THRs. Moreover, the impact of certain test conditions, such as joint lubrication, implant position, load level in terms of body mass and removal of muscle structures, was evaluated within several HiL simulations. The outcomes for a normal sitting down and standing up maneuver revealed good agreement in trend and magnitude compared with in vivo measured hip joint forces. For a deep maneuver with femoral adduction, lubrication was shown to cause less friction torques than under dry conditions. Similarly, it could be demonstrated that less cup anteversion and inclination lead to earlier impingement in flexion motion including pelvic tilt for selected combinations of cup and stem positions. Reducing body mass did not influence impingement-free range of motion and dislocation behavior; however, higher resisting torques were observed under higher loads. Muscle removal emulating a posterior surgical approach indicated alterations in THR loading and the instability process in contrast to a reference case with intact musculature. Based on the presented data, it can be concluded that the HiL test system is able to reproduce comparable joint dynamics as present in THR patients.     

Irreversible Plastid Loss in Euglena gracilis under Physiological Conditions

Irreversible loss of the ability to develop chloroplasts in Euglena gracilis may develop following transfer from organic medium to defined medium. Requirements for the loss include the absence of light and a temperature of 30 C (the optimal temperature for multiplication) although neither darkness alone nor this temperature alone serves as the bleaching agent. The extent of bleaching of a population can approach 100% but depends heavily on the following conditions: the pH of the defined medium and its phosphate content, the age of the parent culture at transfer, and the length of time spent in the defined medium before cell divisions are permitted. Bleaching is not due to loss of nonreplicating proplastids through “dilution out” as cells divide but appears to be a more direct inactivation of chloroplast differentiation from proplastids.     

Differential Regulation of Maize Homoserine Dehydrogenase under Physiological Conditions

Homoserine dehydrogenase is associated with the multibranched pathway of amino acid biosynthesis originating with aspartic acid. Like most of the related pathway enzymes, this enzyme is localized in chloroplasts. The activity and regulatory properties of the threonine-sensitive isozyme of homoserine dehydrogenase isolated from Zea mays var earliking were examined under variable conditions that could exist within chloroplasts. Catalytic activity is not significantly altered within the range of pHs that occur within these organelles, but inhibition of the enzyme by the pathway product, l-threonine, is markedly diminished at the alkaline pHs characteristic of illuminated chloroplasts. Inhibition by threonine is also subject to modulation by physiological levels of NADPH. Under conditions considered to represent the environment within unilluminated chloroplasts, the enzyme is severely inhibited by micromolar concentrations of threonine, but significant enzyme activity is retained under conditions that are likely to occur during illumination, even in the presence of millimolar levels of threonine. These results indicate that homoserine dehydrogenase may be subject to environmentally mediated regulation in vivo. Other observations support this concept and suggest that the intrinsic catalytic and regulatory properties of key enzymes could facilitate a direct link between light-dependent carbon and nitrogen assimilation and amino acid biosynthesis in chloroplasts of higher plants.     

Characterization of Vacuolar Malate and K Channels under Physiological Conditions

Patch-clamp techniques were employed to study the electrical properties of vacuoles from sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) cell suspensions at physiological concentrations of cytoplasmic Ca²⁺. Vacuoles exposed to K⁺ malate revealed the activation of instantaneous and time-dependent outward currents by positive membrane potentials. Negative potentials induced only instantaneous inward currents. The time-dependent outward currents were 10 times more selective for malate than for K⁺ and were completely blocked by zinc. Vacuoles exposed to KCl developed instantaneous currents when polarized to positive or negative membrane potentials. The time-dependent outward channels could serve as the route for the movement of malate into the vacuole, whereas K⁺ could move through the time-independent inward and outward channels.     

Synergistic SHAPE/Single-Molecule Deconvolution of RNA Conformation under Physiological Conditions

Structural RNA domains are widely involved in the regulation of biological functions, such as gene expression, gene modification, and gene repair. Activity of these dynamic regions depends sensitively on the global fold of the RNA, in particular, on the binding affinity of individual conformations to effector molecules in solution. Consequently, both the 1) structure and 2) conformational dynamics of noncoding RNAs prove to be essential in understanding the coupling that results in biological function. Toward this end, we recently reported observation of three conformational states in the metal-induced folding pathway of the tRNA-like structure domain of Brome Mosaic Virus, via single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer studies. We report herein selective 2'-hydroxyl acylation analyzed by primer extension (SHAPE)-directed structure predictions as a function of metal ion concentrations ([Mⁿ⁺]) to confirm the three-state folding model, as well as test 2° structure models from the literature. Specifically, SHAPE reactivity data mapped onto literature models agrees well with the secondary structures observed at 0–10 mM [Mg²⁺], with only minor discrepancies in the E hairpin domain at low [Mg²⁺]. SHAPE probing and SHAPE-directed structure predictions further confirm the stepwise unfolding pathway previously observed in our single-molecule studies. Of special relevance, this means that reduction in the metal-ion concentration unfolds the 3′ pseudoknot interaction before unfolding the long-range stem interaction. This work highlights the synergistic power of combining 1) single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer and 2) SHAPE-directed structure-probing studies for detailed analysis of multiple RNA conformational states. In particular, single-molecule guided deconvolution of the SHAPE reactivities permits 2° structure predictions of isolated RNA conformations, thereby substantially improving on traditional limitations associated with current structure prediction algorithms.     

不同贮藏条件对马铃薯微型种薯活力及生理特性的影响

以‘大西洋’、‘夏波蒂’2个品种的脱毒微型种薯为试验材料,分别在冷藏(4~6℃)、窖藏(8~12℃)和常温(18~22℃)条件下贮藏110 d,研究不同贮藏条件和温度对马铃薯微型种薯活力及生理特性的影响。结果表明:(1)低温冷藏能显著提高微型种薯的活力,2个品种的活力指数分别比窖藏和常温贮藏高20.44%、20.28%和33.51%、35.46%。(2)冷藏与窖藏和常温贮藏相比,CAT活性高35.37%~48.25%、91.68%~125.23%,SOD活性高5.79%~6.60%、10.53%~12.81%,而MDA含量却降低30.47%~47.79%、85.54%~87.09%。(3)随着微型种薯的重量增加其活力指数显著提高,CAT和SOD活性也增加,而MDA含量逐渐降低。(4)经不同条件贮藏后,微型种薯的含水量呈下降趋势,以冷藏条件的含水量降低最少;可溶性蛋白含量显著增加,冷藏比窖藏和常温贮藏分别高14.63%~24.67%和25.5%~35.04%;淀粉含量表现为不同程度降低,以窖藏降低最少;可溶性糖含量虽有明显降低,但其含量变化无显著差异。说明低温贮藏可以使马铃薯微型种薯保持较高的活力,适合贮藏条件的顺序依次为:冷藏>窖藏>常温贮藏。     

Amyloid Formation by Human Carboxypeptidase D Transthyretin-like Domain under Physiological Conditions

Protein aggregation is linked to a growing list of diseases, but it is also an intrinsic property of polypeptides, because the formation of functional globular proteins comes at the expense of an inherent aggregation propensity. Certain proteins can access aggregation-prone states from native-like conformations without the need to cross the energy barrier for unfolding. This is the case of transthyretin (TTR), a homotetrameric protein whose dissociation into its monomers initiates the aggregation cascade. Domains with structural homology to TTR exist in a number of proteins, including the M14B subfamily carboxypeptidases. We show here that the monomeric transthyretin-like domain of human carboxypeptidase D aggregates under close to physiological conditions into amyloid structures, with the population of folded but aggregation-prone states being controlled by the conformational stability of the domain. We thus confirm that the TTR fold keeps a generic residual aggregation propensity upon folding, resulting from the presence of preformed amyloidogenic β-strands in the native state. These structural elements should serve for functional/structural purposes, because they have not been purged out by evolution, but at the same time they put proteins like carboxypeptidase D at risk of aggregation in biological environments and thus can potentially lead to deposition diseases.     

Impact of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Pomegranate Growth under In Vitro Conditions

Russian Journal of Plant Physiology - Nanotechnology is a promising tool to achieve great advancements in the global agricultural systems and food production. The widespread application of...     

Physiological and Biochemical Responses of Merwilla plumbea Cultured In Vitro with Different Cytokinins After 1 Year of Growth Under Ex Vitro Conditions

Journal of Plant Growth Regulation - Since their discovery in the 1950s, cytokinins (CKs) have become integral, almost indispensable, components of plant growth media in in vitro propagation....     

Genotoxic Effects of Amplitude-Modulated Microwaves on Human Lymphocytes Exposed in Vitro under Controlled Conditions

Peripheral human blood from 23 healthy donors aged between 23 and 95 years was exposed to continuous wave (CW) or 50 Hz amplitude modulated (AM) microwave radiation and was cultured for 72 h. Other exposure parameters were: frequency 9 GHz, specific absorption rate (SAR) 90 mW/g, exposure duration 10 min. The possible genotoxic effect was evaluated by means of cytokinesis-block micronucleus method. A significant (p < 0.05) increase in micronuclei was found following AM microwave exposure.     

生理病理状态下线粒体合成ATP动态调控机制

线粒体是细胞的代谢中心之一,不仅产生大量的ATP为细胞提供能量,还参与多种生物分子（例如核酸、氨基酸、胆固醇和脂肪酸）合成及代谢废物的处理。ATP是细胞重要的“能源货币”,是能量载体和信号分子,参与调节细胞的各种生命活动。动物与人在激烈运动时,ATP消耗速率增加数十倍,但细胞内的ATP仍维持在“设定点”水平,不出现降低。因此,传统生理学观点认为,动物细胞内ATP水平保持恒定。但新的研究结果表明,生物细胞内ATP水平存在波动。生理条件下,增加能量物资（糖、脂和氨基酸等）和氧供,促进线粒体ATP合成,可使细胞内ATP水平出现一过性升高。新的研究证明,在肥胖情况下,由于能量物质的过多供应,细胞内ATP水平出现持续性升高,构成代谢紊乱的源头信号。线粒体ATP合成受多种因素影响,如氧化应激、钙超载、缺氧、线粒体膜通透性增加和线粒体DNA突变等。这些因素与疾病条件下细胞内ATP水平持续降低相关,常见的疾病包括阿尔茨海默症、帕金森疾病、精神分裂症、肿瘤、心衰、全身炎症反应综合征等。本综述简要概述线粒体调节细胞内ATP水平的研究进展,重点讨论造成ATP波动的因素、机制及病理生理学意义。     

生理病理状态下线粒体合成ATP动态调控机制

线粒体是细胞的代谢中心之一,不仅产生大量的ATP为细胞提供能量,还参与多种生物分子（例如核酸、氨基酸、胆固醇和脂肪酸）合成及代谢废物的处理。ATP是细胞重要的“能源货币”,是能量载体和信号分子,参与调节细胞的各种生命活动。动物与人在激烈运动时,ATP消耗速率增加数十倍,但细胞内的ATP仍维持在“设定点”水平,不出现降低。因此,传统生理学观点认为,动物细胞内ATP水平保持恒定。但新的研究结果表明,生物细胞内ATP水平存在波动。生理条件下,增加能量物资（糖、脂和氨基酸等）和氧供,促进线粒体ATP合成,可使细胞内ATP水平出现一过性升高。新的研究证明,在肥胖情况下,由于能量物质的过多供应,细胞内ATP水平出现持续性升高,构成代谢紊乱的源头信号。线粒体ATP合成受多种因素影响,如氧化应激、钙超载、缺氧、线粒体膜通透性增加和线粒体DNA突变等。这些因素与疾病条件下细胞内ATP水平持续降低相关,常见的疾病包括阿尔茨海默症、帕金森疾病、精神分裂症、肿瘤、心衰、全身炎症反应综合征等。本综述简要概述线粒体调节细胞内ATP水平的研究进展,重点讨论造成ATP波动的因素、机制及病理生理学意义。     

Physiological Factors Responsible for the Development of Osteopenia under Conditions of Mechanical Unloading

A summary of results of investigations by the author and a brief review of some literature data on human bone tissue deprived of mechanical loading (spaceflight, hypokinesia) is given. The direction and markedness of changes in bone mass—the bone mineral density and the bone mineral content—in different skeletal segments depend on their position relative to the gravity vector. A theoretically expected bone mass reduction was revealed in the trabecular structures of the bones of the lower part of the skeleton (local osteopenia). In the upper part of the skeleton, an increase in the bone mineral content is observed, which is considered as a secondary response and is due to redistribution of body fluids cephalad. The main cause of osteopenia is mechanical unloading. Arguments are presented that osteocyte osteolysis, delayed osteoblast histogenesis, and osteoclast resorption provoked by rearrangement in the hierarchy of the systems of volume regulation, ion regulation, and the endocrine regulation of calcium homeostasis are the main mechanisms of osteopenia.     

PEG模拟干旱条件下木麻黄幼苗的生理变化

以木麻黄Casuarina equisetifolia15个家系品种为材料,利用聚乙二醇6000(PEG-6000)模拟水分胁迫环境,设置三个胁迫强度处理(轻度、中度、重度胁迫),研究受胁迫2月龄木麻黄幼苗丙二醛(MDA)含量、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性、脯氨酸含量的变化。结果表明,经干旱胁迫处理后,各家系幼苗叶片MDA含量随胁迫强度增大而增大,但增幅差异较大;不同干旱胁迫水平下,各家系SOD活性存在一定差异;重度胁迫条件下,除粤杂交家系外,其余家系脯氨酸含量与对照相比均为显著增加。采用主成分分析法进行抗旱性综合评价,表明MDA含量是反映水分胁迫最重要的指标。各指标综合分析结果表明,家系701、莆20、抗3、惠2、南山7和东山2抗旱性能力较好;东山短、601、59、A13抗旱能力一般;千头、粤杂交、抗1、龙4和平5抗旱能力较差。     

Characterization by Atomic Force Microscopy of Alzheimer Paired Helical Filaments under Physiological Conditions

Paired helical filaments (PHF) is an aberrant structure present in the brain of Alzheimer's disease patients which has been correlated with their degree of dementia. In order to determine the structure of PHF, several studies have been performed using atomic force microscopy (AFM). However, those studies have the limitation that they have not been done in solution and the sample could be far from the real physiological conditions. In this work we present an AFM analysis of PHF in liquid environment and we compare that analysis with that performed in dry conditions. PHF imaging in liquid was only possible by using jumping mode AFM as the imaging technique. Jumping mode AFM images of PHF in solution show first, a notable increase in the absolute values of the height of the filament, and second, a smaller ratio between the height measured at the upper and at the lower part of the PHF. Direct comparison of the experimental data with structural models has been performed. From this we conclude that the PHF structure is compatible with two coupled ribbons with an overall height of 20 nm and a width of 10 nm.     

中华水韭对不同营养条件的生理生态响应

采用水培法,研究了不同营养条件对中华水韭叶片生理生化特性和光合荧光特性的影响。结果显示:随着营养液中氮、磷浓度的升高,中华水韭叶片的生理生化特性除叶绿素含量呈下降的变化趋势外,可溶性糖、丙二醛、脯氨酸含量、过氧化氢酶活性(CAT)均呈上升趋势,而过氧化物酶活性(POD)则呈先上升后下降的趋势;同时叶片光合荧光特性中除非光化学猝灭系数(qN)呈上升的趋势外,PSⅡ的最大量子产量(Fv/Fm)、有效量子产量(Yield)、光化学猝灭系数(qP)、最大潜在相对电子传递速率(Pm)以及快速光响应曲线初始斜率(α)和半饱和光强(Ik)均呈下降的趋势。研究表明,随着水体氮、磷浓度的升高,中华水韭在中度营养条件下(N 0.4mg·L~(-1)、P0.04mg·L~(-1))耐受性较好,但在高营养条件下(N 1.2mg·L~(-1)、P 0.12mg·L~(-1))耐受性较差,其渗透调节能力和抗氧化能力上升,但光合作用能力下降,抑制了中华水韭的正常光合生理活动,进而影响其生长,推测水体富营养化可能是造成中华水韭濒危的重要原因之一。     

Effect of Light Intensity on the Morphogenesis of Stevia rebaudiana under In Vitro Conditions

Russian Journal of Plant Physiology - A study of the effect of various light intensity (75, 135, 230, and 382 µmol/(m2 s)) on the morphogenesis of Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) Bertoni in vitro...