Immunohistochemical localization of LIM mineralization protein 1 during mouse molar development

LIM mineralization protein 1 (LMP-1) is an essential positive regulator of osteoblast differentiation, maturation and bone formation. Our previous investigations on the distribution of LMP-1 in mature human teeth indicated that LMP-1 might play a role in the odontoblast differentiation and dentin matrix mineralization. The aim of the present study was to use immunohistochemistry to determine the expression of LMP-1 during tooth development in mouse molars. In embryonic and postnatal Kunming mice, LMP-1 protein was expressed during molar development, but the expression levels and patterns differed at various developmental stages. At embryonic day 13.5 (E13.5), LMP-1 was found in the enamel organ. At E14.5, LMP-1 was detected in the entire enamel organ and in the underlying mesenchyme. At E16.5, LMP-1 was observed in the inner and outer enamel epithelium and the stratum intermedium. The expression also converged at the cusps in the dental papilla. At E18.5 and postnatal day 2.5 (P2.5), LMP-1 was restricted to the stratum intermedium, in differentiating dental papilla cells at cusps, while it disappeared in terminal differentiated ameloblasts and odontoblasts. At P13.5, no positive staining was detected in the odontoblasts or in the dental pulp cells. Therefore, LMP-1 showed spatiotemporal expression patterns during molar development and might participate in molar crown morphogenesis and odontoblast differentiation at late molar development.     

Analysis of cyclosporine A and its metabolites in rat urine and feces by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive and specific liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the quantification of cyclosporine A (CyA) and the identification of its metabolites in rat urine and feces. The analytes were extracted from waste samples via liquid–liquid extraction. A Turboionspray source was used as a detector. It was operated in a positive ion mode with transitions of m/z 1225 → m/z 1112 for CyA and in a selected multiple reactions monitoring (MRM) mode with transitions of m/z 1239 → m/z 1099 for the internal standard (cyclosporine D, CyD). Linear calibration curves were obtained for CyA concentration ranges of 12.5–250 ng mL^?1 in urine and 2.5–375 ng mg^?1 in feces. The intra- and inter-day precision values (relative standard deviation) obtained were less than 8%, and the accuracy was within ±15% for each of the analytes. Extraction recoveries of CyA and CyD were both over 80%. The identification of the metabolites and elucidation of their structure were performed on the basis of their retention times and mass spectrometry fragmentation behaviors. A total of seven metabolites in rat feces were identified as dimethyl CyA, hydroxy CyA, and dihydroxy CyA after the oral administration of cyclosporine A-Eudragit^® S100 nanoparticles (CyA-NP). Six of these metabolites were also detected in rat urine. A possible metabolic pathway was also proposed. The newly developed method was proven to be sensitive, simple, reproducible, and suitable for the rapid determination of CyA. It was successfully employed to study the excretion of CyA in rats and could be used to better understand the in vivo metabolism of CyA-NP, a potentially effective nanoparticle system.     

Proteomic analysis of symbiosome membranes in Cnidaria–dinoflagellate endosymbiosis

Symbiosomes are specific intracellular membrane‐bound vacuoles containing microalgae in a mutualistic Cnidaria (host)–dinoflagellate (symbiont) association. The symbiosome membrane is originally derived from host plasma membranes during phagocytosis of the symbiont; however, its molecular components and functions are not clear. In order to investigate the protein components of the symbiosome membranes, homogenous symbiosomes were isolated from the sea anemone Aiptasia pulchella and their purities and membrane intactness examined by Western blot analysis for host contaminants and microscopic analysis using various fluorescent probes, respectively. Pure and intact symbiosomes were then subjected to biotinylation by a cell impermeant agent (Biotin‐XX sulfosuccinimidyl ester) to label membrane surface proteins. The biotinylated proteins, both Triton X‐100 soluble and insoluble fractions, were subjected to 2‐D SDS‐PAGE and identified by MS using an LC‐nano‐ESI‐MS/MS. A total of 17 proteins were identified. Based on their different subcellular origins and functional categories, it indicates that symbiosome membranes serve as the interface for interaction between host and symbiont by fulfilling several crucial cellular functions such as those of membrane receptors/cell recognition, cytoskeletal remodeling, ATP synthesis/proton homeostasis, transporters, stress responses/chaperones, and anti‐apoptosis. The results of proteomic analysis not only indicate the molecular identity of the symbiosome membrane, but also provide insight into the possible role of symbiosome membranes during the endosymbiotic association.     

美国生物质资源研究规划与举措分析及启示

发展生物质资源研究对于国家的可持续发展具有重要的战略意义。近年来,美国相继制订若干研究计划或发展路线图,并采取有效举措,持续推动生物质资源的研究、开发和利用。通过分析美国在生物质资源研究领域的重要举措,特别是分析其相关重要规划的具体内容,总结生物质资源研究面临的重要问题和研究热点,对发展我国生物质资源研究提出一些思考建议。     

海水浸泡开放性犬颅脑爆震伤影像学模型的建立

目的:建立海水浸泡开放性犬颅脑爆震伤影像学模型。方法:本实验采用新型球形爆炸源。狗颅中线向左(右)1cm,眶上缘向上1cm交界处为爆炸中心位置。爆炸距离(爆炸源最低点距爆炸点的距离)分别为3mm,3.5mm,4mm。比较各个距离的爆炸效果,选出最适的爆炸距离。在动物最适爆炸距离致伤后用吊瓶装满海水(秋季福建沿海距岸边200米深部海水),用皮管固定于伤口空洞中,使受伤脑组织始终浸泡于海水环境中。分别于3h,5h,8h行颅脑CT检查。观察海水浸泡开放性颅脑爆震伤的CT动态变化。结果:爆炸距离3.5mm为最适爆炸距离,此距离爆炸致伤后犬存活率高,能够炸开颅骨,使脑组织暴露,海水浸泡爆震伤口8小时,脑水肿逐渐出现。结论:本实验所建立的动物模型可模拟真实海战下冲击波致伤,且重复性和稳定性好,易操作,适用于海战情况下颅脑爆震伤的实验研究。     

Genomic analysis of allelopathic response to low nitrogen and barnyardgrass competition in rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis> L.)

To explore the molecular mechanism of allelopathic rice in response to low nitrogen (N) supply or accompanying weed stress, allelopathic rice PI 312777 and its counterpart Lemont were grown under low N supply or co-cultured with barnyardgrass [Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv.] in hydroponics. The suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) technique was employed to isolate the up-regulated genes in the treated rice accession. The results indicated that the expression of the genes associated with N utilization was significantly up-regulated in allelopathic rice PI 312777, and the higher efficiency of N uptake and its utilization were also detected in PI 312777 than that in Lemont when the two rice accessions were exposed to low N supply. This result suggested that the allelopathic rice had higher ability to adapt to low N stress than its non-allelopathic counterpart. However, a different response was observed when the allelopathic rice was exposed to accompanying weed (barnyardgrass) co-cultured in full Hoagland solution (normal N supply). It showed that the expression of the genes associated with allelochemical synthesis and its detoxification were all up-regulated in the allelopathic rice when co-cultured with the target weed under normal N supply. The results suggested that the allelopathic rice should be a better competitor in the rice-weed co-culture system, which could be attributed to increasing de novo biosynthesis and detoxification of allelochemicals in rice, consequently resulting in enhanced allelopathic effect on the target and preventing the autotoxicity in this process. These findings suggested that the accompanying weed, barnyardgrass is not only the stressful factor, but also one of the triggers in activating allelopathy in rice. This implies that the allelopathic rice is sensible of the existing target in chemical communication.     

Identification and characterization of NARROW AND ROLLED LEAF 1, a novel gene regulating leaf morphology and plant architecture in rice

Leaf morphology is an important agronomic trait in rice breeding. We isolated three allelic mutants of NARROW AND ROLLED LEAF 1 (nrl1) which showed phenotypes of reduced leaf width and semi-rolled leaves and different degrees of dwarfism. Microscopic analysis indicated that the nrl1-1 mutant had fewer longitudinal veins and smaller adaxial bulliform cells compared with the wild-type. The NRL1 gene was mapped to the chromosome 12 and encodes the cellulose synthase-like protein D4 (OsCslD4). Sequence analyses revealed single base substitutions in the three allelic mutants. Genetic complementation and over-expression of the OsCslD4 gene confirmed the identity of NRL1. The gene was expressed in all tested organs of rice at the heading stage and expression level was higher in vigorously growing organs, such as roots, sheaths and panicles than in elsewhere. In the mutant leaves, however, the expression level was lower than that in the wild-type. We conclude that OsCslD4 encoded by NRL1 plays a critical role in leaf morphogenesis and vegetative development in rice.