Photoacoustic microscopy for evaluating a lipopolysaccharide‐induced inflammation model in mice

Photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) is a noninvasive imaging technique and is excellent to study structural and functional changes in the microcirculation. In this work, a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced inflammation model in mice is noninvasively evaluated by PAM. PAM is used to image the microvascular structural changes in mice for 8 hours after the LPS with different concentrations is applied. Quantitative analysis of five vessel parameters is conducted, which shows that the rate of reduction in microvasculature is highly dependent on the applied LPS concentrations. For low‐concentration LPS, changes in the microvasculature are not obvious over the observation period, whereas for high‐concentration LPS, quick and marked reduction in the microvasculature is observed. In addition, changes in capillaries are more significant than those in relatively large vessels. The results show that PAM is able to evaluate the inflammation mouse model by studying structural (and potentially functional) changes in the microcirculation. Furthermore, PAM may have potential for early intervention and treatment plan optimization of sepsis by monitoring the microcirculation and inflammatory response.      

Different responses of avian feeding guilds to spatial and environmental factors across an elevation gradient in the central Himalaya

Although elevational patterns of species richness have been well documented, how the drivers of richness gradients vary across ecological guilds has rarely been reported. Here, we examined the effects of spatial factors (area and mid‐domain effect; MDE) and environmental factors, including metrics of climate, productivity, and plant species richness on the richness of breeding birds across different ecological guilds defined by diet and foraging strategy. We surveyed 12 elevation bands at intervals of 300 m between 1,800 and 5,400 m a.s.l using line‐transect methods throughout the wet season in the central Himalaya, China. Multiple regression models and hierarchical partitioning were used to assess the relative importance of spatial and environmental factors on overall bird richness and guild richness (i.e., the richness of species within each guild). Our results showed that richness for all birds and most guilds displayed hump‐shaped elevational trends, which peaked at an elevation of 3,300–3,600 m, although richness of ground‐feeding birds peaked at a higher elevation band (4,200–4,500 m). The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI)—an index of primary productivity—and habitat heterogeneity were important factors in explaining overall bird richness as well as that of insectivores and omnivores, with geometric constraints (i.e., the MDE) of secondary importance. Granivore richness was not related to primary production but rather to open habitats (granivores were negatively influenced by habitat heterogeneity), where seeds might be abundant. Our findings provide direct evidence that the richness–environment relationship is often guild‐specific. Taken together, our study highlights the importance of considering how the effects of environmental and spatial factors on patterns of species richness may differ across ecological guilds, potentially leading to a deeper understanding of elevational diversity gradients and their implications for biodiversity conservation.     

基于表面等离子体共振和电化学联用的DNA传感器研究进展

表面等离子共振(surface plasmon resonance,SPR)技术旨在检测物体表面附近折射率的变化,其特点是无标记、实时、灵敏和快速,该技术多用于研究分子的相互作用,包括动力学、效率常数和大分子构象变化等。电化学(electrochemical,EC)技术是一项用于定性定量研究电子转移、物质氧化还原、界面吸附等过程的成熟技术,具有简单、低成本和设备小型化的优点。现有的DNA杂交技术,例如光学、电化学或压电转导技术,主要关注于提高DNA杂交检测系统的选择性和灵敏度。传统的SPR在DNA分析方面,由于无法测量折射率的极小变化而在超灵敏检测中的应用受到限制。因此,随着纳米材料的研发和联用技术的飞速发展,SPR与EC联用的生物传感器研究越来越成为人们关注的热点。近年来,关于SPR和EC联用在DNA检测方面的综述鲜有报道。对SPR和EC检测DNA的技术原理、联用方法、应用进展等方面作出了简要的介绍,以期为表面等离子共振和电化学联用的DNA传感器相关研究提供参考。     

DHHC4 and DHHC5 Facilitate Fatty Acid Uptake by Palmitoylating and Targeting CD36 to the Plasma Membrane

1. Download high-res image (233KB)
2. Download full-size image

     

Binding of FANCI-FANCD2 Complex to RNA and R-Loops Stimulates Robust FANCD2 Monoubiquitination

1. Download high-res image (132KB)
2. Download full-size image

     

DDX19 Inhibits Type I Interferon Production by Disrupting TBK1-IKKε-IRF3 Interactions and Promoting TBK1 and IKKε Degradation

1. Download high-res image (150KB)
2. Download full-size image

     

Therapeutic applications of adipose-derived stromal vascular fractions in osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is considered to be a highly heterogeneous disease with progressive cartilage loss, subchondral bone remodeling, and low-grade inflammation. It is one of the world's leading causes of disability. Most conventional clinical treatments for OA are palliative drugs, which cannot fundamentally cure this disease. The stromal vascular fraction (SVF) from adipose tissues is a heterogeneous cell population. According to previous studies, it contains a large number of mesenchymal stem cells, which have been used to treat OA with good therapeutic results. This safe, simple, and effective therapy is expected to be applied and promoted in the future. In this paper, the detailed pathogenesis, diagnosis, and current clinical treatments for OA are introduced. Then, clinical studies and the therapeutic mechanism of SVF for the treatment of OA are summarized.     

气温和根区温度对葡萄叶片光合荧光特性的影响

为探究气温和根区温度对葡萄(Vitis vinifera)叶片光合荧光特性的影响, 以一年生巨峰葡萄为试材, 设置对照、高气温、高根区温度和两者交叉作用共4组处理。结果表明, 相较于对照和高气温, 高根区温度以及交叉处理叶片最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)降低更明显; 与对照相比, 高根区温度以及高气温与高根区温度交叉处理下光系统II (PSII)实际光化学效率Y(II)显著降低, 非调节能量耗散的量子产量Y(NPQ)及Q_A氧化还原状态(1-q_P)值显著上升。同时, 高根区温度以及高气温与高根区温度交叉处理显著增加了J点的可变荧光(V_j), 而用于电子传递的量子产额(φ_Eo)及性能指数(PI_ABS)显著降低。此外, 高根区温度以及高气温与高根区温度交叉处理下单位面积有活性的反应中心数目(RC/CS_m)也显著下降, K点相对可变荧光(W_k)明显上升。综上所述, 高根区温度是高气温与根区高温交叉胁迫的主导因子, PSII受体侧是主要的伤害位点, 高气温加剧了高根区温度对PSII造成的伤害。