Correction of chromosomal point mutations in human cells with bifunctional oligonucleotides.

A sequence-specific genomic delivery system for the correction of chromosomal mutations was designed by incorporating two different binding domains into a single-stranded oligonucleotide. A repair domain (RD) contained the native sequence of the target region. A third strand-forming domain (TFD) was designed to form a triplex by Hoogsteen interactions. The design was based upon the premise that the RD will rapidly form a heteroduplex that is anchored synergistically by the TFD. Deoxyoligonucleotides were designed to form triplexes in the human adenosine deaminase (ADA) and p53 genes adjacent to known point mutations. Transfection of ADA-deficient human lymphocytes corrected the mutant sequence in 1-2% of cells. Neither the RD or TFD individually corrected the mutation. Transfection of p53 mutant human glioblastoma cells corrected the mutation and induced apoptosis in 7.5% of cells.     

Humid air increases airway resistance in asthmatic subjects.

Eight persons with asthma were exposed to seven air conditions varying in temperature (37 degrees C to 49 degrees C [98.6 degrees F to 120.2 degrees F]) and water content (44 mg H2O per liter to 79 mg H2Oper liter) . Normocapnic hyperventilation for three minutes at 40% maximal voluntary ventilation was carried out for each condition. A constant-volume body plethysmograph measured the functional residual capacity and specific airway conductance (SGaw), followed by two forced expiratory manuevers. Measurements were taken before and 1, 5, 10, and 20 minutes after each challenge. Air conditions with 100% relative humidity caused a fall in the SGaw that was maximal in 1 minute. Air conditions at 100% relative humidity caused a greater fall in both the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) (P<.05) and the SGaw (P<.005) than did conditions of the same temperature but less water content. At 44 degrees C and 100% relative humidity, the mean percent change in FEV1 and SGaw was -2% and -40%, respectively, at 1 minute after challenge. Of the conditions examined, the optimal temperature was 44 degrees C, and we speculate that the optimal water content is less than 44 mg H2O per liter. Inhaled water concentrations exceeding 44 mg H2O per liter should probably not be used in patients with asthma.     

EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL VARIATION ON SINKING RATES OF MARINE PHYTOPLANKTON1

The effects of environmental variables, particularly irradiance, on the sinking rates of phytoplankton were investigated using cultures of Chaetoceros gracilis Schütt and C. flexuosum Mangin in laboratory experiments; these data were compared with results from assemblages in the open ocean and marginal ice zone of the Greenland Sea. In culture experiments both the irradiance under which the diatom was grown and culture growth rate were positively correlated with sinking rates. Sinking rates (ψ) in the Greenland Sea were smallest when determined from chlorophyll (mean ψ_chl= 0.14 m · d^?1) and biogenic silica (ψ_si= 0.14 m · d^?1) and greatest when determined from particulate carbon (ψ_c= 0.55 m · d^?1) and nitrogen (ψ_N= 0.64 m · d^?1). Field measurements indicated that variations in sinking may be associated with changes in irradiance and nitrate concentrations. Because these factors do not directly affect water density, they must be inducing physiological changes in the cell which affect buoyancy. Although a direct response to a single environmental variable was not always evident, sinking rates were positively correlated with growth rates in the marginal ice zone, further indicating a connection to physiological processes. Estimats of carbon flux at stations with vertically mixed euphotic zones indicated that approximately 30% of the daily primary production sank from the euphotic zone in the form of small particulates. Calculated carbon flux tended to increase with primary productivity.     

Biofabrication with chitosan

The traditional motivation for integrating biological components into microfabricated devices has been to create biosensors that meld the molecular recognition capabilities of biology with the signal processing capabilities of electronic devices. However, a different motivation is emerging; biological components are being explored to radically change how fabrication is achieved at the micro- and nanoscales. Here we review biofabrication, the use of biological materials for fabrication, and focus on three specific biofabrication approaches: directed assembly, where localized external stimuli are employed to guide assembly; enzymatic assembly, where selective biocatalysts are enlisted to build macromolecular structure; and self-assembly, where information internal to the biological material guides its own assembly. Also reviewed are recent results with the aminopolysaccharide chitosan, a material that offers a combination of properties uniquely suited for biofabrication. In particular, chitosan can be directed to assemble in response to locally applied electrical signals, and the chitosan backbone provides sites that can be employed for the assembly of proteins, nucleic acids, and virus particles.     

莲藕的组织培养与快速繁殖

1　植物名称　莲藕 (Ｎｅｌｕｍｂｏｎｕｃｉｆｅｒａ)鄂莲 4号。2　材料类别　茎尖。3　培养条件　 ( 1 )芽分化培养基 :ＭＳ 6 ＢＡ1 .0～ 2 .0ｍｇ·Ｌ- 1 (单位下同 ) ＮＡＡ 0 .2 3.0 %蔗糖 ;( 2 )增殖培养基 :ＭＳ 6 ＢＡ 0 .5～ 1 .0 ＩＢＡ0 .2 3.0 %蔗糖 ;( 3)生根培养基 :ＭＳ ＩＢＡ 0 .5～1 .0 ＡＣ 1 50 0 蔗糖 5.0 %。以上各培养基加0 .6%琼脂 ,ｐＨ 5.8。 ( 4 )移栽用营养液 :1 /4ＭＳ。培养温度 2 5～ 2 8℃ ,每天光照 1 0ｈ ,光照度 1 0 0 0～ 1 50 0ｌｘ。4　生长与分化情况4.1　茎尖的切取与分化　切取健康…     

五节芒定居对尾矿砂重金属形态、微生物群落功能及多样性的影响

选择尾矿砂裸地和4个五节芒(Miscanthus floridulus)定居地(RI、RII、RIII和RIV)为样地, 分别研究了五节芒定居对尾矿砂重金属形态转化和微生物功能参数的影响。结果表明: 五节芒自然定居显著地提高了尾矿砂碳酸盐结合态和硫化物-有机物结合态重金属比例(p＜0.05), 降低了尾矿砂残渣态重金属的比例(p＜0.05)。土壤微生物群落的纤维素分解作用、酚转化作用、固氮作用、氨化作用、硝化作用、有机磷转化作用、功能多样性、4类不同碳源(碳水化合(CH)、聚合物(PL)、胺类化合物(AM)和杂合物(ML))均随着五节芒自然定居显著提高(p＜0.05)。而氨基酸(AA)的利用强度却显著下降(p＜0.05)。典范相关分析(CCA)表明: 土壤微生物功能参数的总体变化与土壤碳酸盐结合态和硫化物-有机物结合态重金属的含量呈显著正相关, 与残渣态重金属含量呈显著负相关。该研究结果表明, 五节芒定居不仅促进了尾矿砂重金属朝着沉淀态和螯合态方面转化, 而且还显著地改善了尾矿砂微生物群落的功能发挥。因而, 五节芒在重金属矿业废弃地恢复实践中具有较大的应用潜力。