Nitrogen fertilizer and landscape position impacts on CO2 and CH4 fluxes from a landscape seeded to switchgrass

This study was conducted to evaluate the impacts of N fertilizer and landscape position on carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄) fluxes from a US Northern Great Plains landscape seeded to switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.). The experimental design included three N levels (low, 0 kg N ha⁻¹; medium, 56 kg N ha⁻¹; and high, 112 kg N ha⁻¹) replicated four times. The experiment was repeated at shoulder and footslope positions. Soil CO₂ and CH₄ fluxes were monitored once every 2 weeks from May 2010 to October 2012. The CO₂ fluxes were 40% higher at the footslope than the shoulder landscape position, and CH₄ fluxes were similar in both landscape positions. Soil CO₂ and CH₄ fluxes averaged over the sampling dates were not impacted by N rates. Seasonal variations showed highest CO₂ release and CH₄ uptake in summer and fall, likely due to warmer and moist soil conditions. Higher CH₄ release was observed in winter possibly due to increased anaerobic conditions. However, year to year (2010–2012) variations in soil CO₂ and CH₄ fluxes were more pronounced than the variations due to the impact of landscape positions and N rates. Drought conditions reported in 2012, with higher annual temperature and lower soil moisture than long-term average, resulted in higher summer and fall CO₂ fluxes (between 1.3 and 3 times) than in 2011 and 2010. These conditions also promoted a net CH₄ uptake in 2012 in comparison to 2010 when there was net CH₄ release. Results from this study conclude that landscape positions, air temperature, and soil moisture content strongly influenced soil CO₂ fluxes, whereas soil moisture impacted the direction of CH₄ fluxes (uptake or release). However, a comprehensive life cycle analysis would be appropriate to evaluate environmental impacts associated with switchgrass production under local environmental conditions.     

Phylogeography of Kandelia candel in East Asiatic mangroves based on nucleotide variation of chloroplast and mitochondrial DNAs

Vivipary with precocious seedlings in mangrove plants was thought to be a hindrance to long-range dispersal. To examine the extent of seedling dispersal across oceans, we investigated the phylogeny and genetic structure among East Asiatic populations of Kandelia candel based on organelle DNAs. In total, three, 28 and seven haplotypes of the chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) atpB-rbcL spacer, cpDNA trnL-trnF spacer, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) internal transcribed spacer (ITS) were identified, respectively, from 202 individuals. Three data sets suggested consistent phylogenies recovering two differentiated lineages corresponding to geographical regions, i.e. northern South-China-Sea + East-China-Sea region and southern South-China-Sea region (Sarawak). Phylogenetically, the Sarawak population was closely related to the Ranong population of western Peninsula Malaysia instead of other South-China-Sea populations, indicating its possible origin from the Indian Ocean Rim. No geographical subdivision was detected within the northern geographical region. An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed low levels of genetic differentiation between and within mainland and island populations (phiCT = 0.015, phiSC = 0.037), indicating conspicuous long-distance seedling dispersal across oceans. Significant linkage disequilibrium excluded the possibility of recurrent homoplasious mutations as the major force causing phylogenetic discrepancy between mtDNA and the trnL-trnF spacer within the northern region. Instead, relative ages of alleles contributed to non-random chlorotype-mitotype associations and tree inconsistency. Widespread distribution and random associations (chi2 = 0.822, P = 0.189) of eight hypothetical ancestral cytotypes indicated the panmixis of populations of the northern geographical region as a whole. In contrast, rare and recently evolved alleles were restricted to marginal populations, revealing some preferential directional migration.     

3-(7-Azaindolyl)-4-arylmaleimides as potent, selective inhibitors of glycogen synthase kinase-3

A novel series of acyclic 3-(7-azaindolyl)-4-(aryl/heteroaryl)maleimides was synthesized and evaluated for activity against GSK-3beta and selectivity versus PKC-betaII, as well as a broad panel of protein kinases. Compounds 14 and 17c potently inhibited GSK-3beta (IC(50)=7 and 26 nM, respectively) and exhibited excellent selectivity over PKC-betaII (325 and >385-fold, respectively). Compound 17c was also highly selective against 68 other protein kinases. In a cell-based functional assay, both 14 and 17c effectively increased glycogen synthase activity by inhibiting GSK-3beta.     

Evaluation of the efficacy of a pre-pandemic H5N1 vaccine (MG1109) in mouse and ferret models

The threat of a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus causing the next pandemic remains a major concern. In this study, we evaluated the immunogenicity and efficacy of an inactivated whole-virus H5N1 pre-pandemic vaccine (MG1109) formulated by Green Cross Co., Ltd containing the hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes of the clade 1 A/Vietnam/1194/04 virus in the backbone of A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (RgVietNam/04xPR8/34). Administration of the MG1109 vaccine (2-doses) in mice and ferrets elicited high HI and SN titers in a dose-dependent manner against the homologous (RgVietNam/04xPR8/34) and various heterologous H5N1 strains, (RgKor/W149/06xPR8/34, RgCambodia/04xPR8/34, RgGuangxi/05xPR8/34), including a heterosubtypic H5N2 (A/Aquatic bird/orea/W81/05) virus. However, efficient cross-reactivity was not observed against heterosubtypic H9N2 (A/Ck/Korea/H0802/08) and H1N1 (PR/8/34) viruses. Mice immunized with 1.9 μg HA/dose of MG1109 were completely protected from lethal challenge with heterologous wild-type HPAI H5N1 A/EM/Korea/W149/06 (clade 2.2) and mouse-adapted H5N2 viruses. Furthermore, ferrets administered at least 3.8 μg HA/dose efficiently suppressed virus growth in the upper respiratory tract and lungs. Vaccinated mice and ferrets also demonstrated attenuation of clinical disease signs and limited virus spread to other organs. Thus, this vaccine provided immunogenic responses in mouse and ferret models even against challenge with heterologous HPAI H5N1 and H5N2 viruses. Since the specific strain of HPAI H5N1 virus that would potentially cause the next outbreak is unknown, pre-pandemic vaccine preparation that could provide cross-protection against various H5 strains could be a useful approach in the selection of promising candidate vaccines in the future.     

镉离子诱导BA/F3β细胞发生奇特的细胞凋亡

细胞凋亡一般都伴随有ＤＮＡ 片段化, 活性氧含量增加, 并能被过量的Ｂｃｌ２ 所抑制。以ＢＡ／Ｆ３β细胞为模型, 利用ＭＴＴ 检测、Ｈｏｃｈｅｓｔ 染色以及透射电镜检测等技术却发现, 镉离子虽然可以诱导该细胞凋亡, 但是这种凋亡没有ＤＮＡ 片段化, 也没有活性氧含量增加。此外, 过量Ｂｃｌ２ 对这种凋亡也没有保护作用。因此, 可以确认镉离子诱导ＢＡ／Ｆ３β细胞发生了奇特的细胞凋亡。     

Discovery of a Novel Mutation (X8Del) Resulting in an 8-bp Deletion in the Hepatitis B Virus X Gene Associated with Occult Infection in Korean Vaccinated Individuals

Universal infantile hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination may lead to an increase in vaccine escape variants, which may pose a threat to the long-term success of massive vaccination. To determine the prevalence of occult infections in Korean vaccinated individuals, 87 vaccinated subjects were screened for the presence of HBV DNA using both the nested PCR protocol and the VERSANT HBV DNA 3.0 assay. The mutation patterns of variants were analyzed in full-length HBV genome sequences. Their HBsAg secretion and replication capacities were investigated using both in vitro transient transfection and in vivo hydrodynamic injection. The presence of HBV DNA was confirmed in 6 subjects (6.9%). All six variants had a common mutation type (X8Del) composed of an 8-bp deletion in the C-terminal region of the HBV X gene (HBxAg). Our in vitro and in vivo analyses using the full-length HBV genome indicated that the X8Del HBxAg variant reduced the secretion of HBsAg and HBV virions compared to the wild type. In conclusion, our data suggest that a novel mutation (X8Del) may contribute to occult HBV infection in Korean vaccinated individuals via a reduced secretion of HBsAg and virions, possibly by compromising HBxAg’s transacting capacity.     

哈密天山北路墓地出土颅骨的测量性状

本文是对出土于新疆哈密地区天山北路青铜时代墓地颅骨测量性状的研究。文中公布了24例天山北路墓地古代人群77项颅骨测量性状基本数据, 在此基础上, 对男、女两性的测量性状特点进行了统计分析, 并结合考古学文化研究和分子生物学研究的相关结论对实验结果进行了讨论和推论。主要研究结论如下: 一是该人群虽已经形成了具有自身特点的、共性的体质特征, 但人群内部也存在些许差异, 尤其是在男性个体数据之中。二是该人群是由分别具有东、西方体质特征的祖先人群混杂融合而成, 是处于当时大人种分布过渡地带的过渡人群。     

Multifocal Langerhans cell sarcoma involving epidermis:a case report and review

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE: To study the clinico-pathological characteristics of Langerhans cell sarcoma (LCS) which involving epidermis. METHODS: A case of primary multifocal LCS was analyzed in histopathology and immunophenotype. RESULTS: A 41-year-old man with multifocal cutaneous LCS involving the inguina and waist was reported. Clinical and pathology data were available. Neoplastic cells with markedly malignant cytological features were observed. Tumor cells exhibited irregular shape with abundant and eosinophilic red staining cytoplasm; large, irregular-shaped, showing lobulated or dented nucleus and some cells with a longitudinal nuclear groove and prominent nucleoli. The tumor cells expressed CD1a, Langerin (CD207), S-100 protein, CD68 and vimentin, and did not express pan-T or B cell markers and epithelial markers. The patient died less than 1 year after diagnosis due to local recurrence and metastasis to the lung, despite the administration of local radiation and chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: LCS is a tumor with markedly malignant cytological features that originates from Langerhans cells. Primary multifocal neoplasms involving epidermis is even rare. Accurate diagnosis is based on the histopathological and immunohistochemical of the tumor cells.Virtual slideThe virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1182345104754765.