Evolutionary origins of Brassicaceae specific genes in Arabidopsis thaliana

Background  

All sequenced genomes contain a proportion of lineage-specific genes, which exhibit no sequence similarity to any genes outside the lineage. Despite their prevalence, the origins and functions of most lineage-specific genes remain largely unknown. As more genomes are sequenced opportunities for understanding evolutionary origins and functions of lineage-specific genes are increasing.     

Analysis of Amblyomma sculptum haplotypes in an area endemic for Brazilian spotted fever

Amblyomma sculptum (Ixodida: Ixodidae) Berlese, 1888, a member of the Amblyomma cajennense complex, is the major vector of Brazilian spotted fever (BSF) in southeastern Brazil. In this study, the genetic diversity of A. sculptum populations in the state of Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brazil, was investigated because genetic variability in tick populations may be related to vector competence. Samples of A. sculptum from 19 municipalities in 7 regions of RJ were subjected to DNA extraction, amplification and sequencing of D‐loop, cytochrome oxidase II and 12S rDNA mitochondrial genes. These sequences were used to map the genetic diversity of this tick. Amblyomma sculptum populations are genetically diverse in RJ, especially in the South Centre and Highland regions. Few unique haplotypes were observed in all populations, and the majority of genetic variation found was among ticks within each population. Phylogenetic reconstruction reinforced the assumption that all the haplotypes identified in RJ belong to A. sculptum. However, some RJ haplotypes are closer to A. sculptum from Argentina than to A. sculptum from elsewhere in Brazil. In RJ, A. sculptum has high genetic diversity, although little genetic differentiation. Observations also indicated a high level of gene flow among the studied populations and no evidence of population structure according to region in RJ.     

Effect of the lysosomotropic preparation suramin on the ultrastructural and functional characteristics of rat liver cells in acute toxic hepatitis

A study was made of the influence of suramin and of a combination of suramin and CCl4 on the ultrastructure of hepatocytes, structural and functional state of lysosomes and functional activity of the rat's liver. The latter was characterized by alanine aminotransferase level in blood. Increasing amounts of autophagosomes as well as lysosomal fusion disturbances were registered 24 and 48 hours after a single suramin administration. The combined suramin and CCl4 administration resulted even in a higher damage of hepatocytes. A decrease in the intralysosomal rate of proteolysis in hepatocytes, was also shown in addition to the impairment of liver functional activity. Some ultrastructural features of compensation of the insufficiency of the hepatocyte vacuolar apparatus were noted during suramin and CCl4 administration. Changes in the nucleolar structure were noticed in hepatocytes administered both suramin and CCl4. It is suggested that these changes may involve a compensatory increase in nucleologenesis due to the decrease in the activity of the protein-synthesizing apparatus in hepatocytes.     

Ghrelin在小鼠体内早期胚胎发育中的表达

为了探讨Ghrelin是否在昆明系小白鼠(Mus musculus)体内早期胚胎发育中发挥作用。运用激素超排卵技术及动物解剖学方法获取小鼠体内不同发育阶段的早期胚胎,应用实时定量PCR技术检测了Ghrelin mRNA的相对表达量。结果表明,Ghrelin mRNA在小鼠各期胚胎中均有表达;同时,GhrelinmRNA的表达量呈现一定规律性变化,2-细胞期表达量最低,8-细胞期表达量达到最高值,总体趋势是先降低后升高之后又降低。研究结果揭示,Ghrelin可能在小鼠早期胚胎发育中发挥一定的作用。     

我国巴拉巴按蚊形态描述

白踝按蚊种团是由很多形态近似的蚊种组成,其中巴拉巴按蚊和白踝按蚊均为东南亚一带的重要传疟媒介。我国过去资料均记载为白踝按蚊,但未从形态上详细鉴定。为了确定该种的分类地位,1963年作者等在海南岛万宁县兴隆附近山林区采集“白踝按蚊”全套标本10批共150多套,1971年后从云南省采集少数标本进行形态鉴定,发现其与Colless(1956,1957)所描述的白踝按蚊Anopheles leucosphyrus leucosphyrus Donitz(1901)有很明显的差别,而与巴拉巴按蚊A.balabacensis balabacensis Balsas(1936)除某些特征略有差异外,余均完全一致。按Colless的分类法,过去我国记载的“白踝按蚊”,应鉴定为巴拉巴按蚊A.balabacensis balabacensis Baisas。     

不同退化红砂荒漠草地的水分分配格局

研究了内蒙古阿拉善盟不同过牧退化红砂草地的土壤 植物 大气系统的水分分配格局、不同退化草地和主要植物种的水分利用效率 .2 0 0 1年降雨量 12 4 .3mm ,其中试验期 119.4mm .1m深土壤水分结果表明 ,10～ 4 0cm土层受蒸散影响最大 ;由于主要共存种红砂和无芒隐子草根系分布和蒸腾强度不同等 ,含水量在 10～ 2 0cm土层以中度退化区显著低于其它样区 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,而 2 0～ 4 0cm土层以轻度退化区较低 .样地年均蒸发量为 30 .6mm ,红砂种群的年均蒸腾量为 11.9mm .随着草地退化加剧 ,裸地的蒸发量和退化指示种匍根骆驼蓬种群的蒸腾量增加 ,而红砂种群的蒸腾量降低 .与较轻度退化区比 ,中度和重度退化区的水分利用率分别下降了 14 .6 %和 4 6 .1% ,红砂水分利用率分别下降了 37.8%和 73.8% .     

Subcellular distribution of acid hydrolases in rat liver during toxic hepatitis]

Changes occurring in the lysosome population were assessed by the results of studies of intracellular distribution of the marker lysosome enzymes--acid phosphatase and acid RNAase. An acute (pure CCl4-0.15 ml per 100 g of weight into the stomach) and chronic (inhalation poisoning after Rabinovici and Wiener) toxic hepatitis was accompanied by an increase in the specific activity of the enzymes in the fraction of heavy mitochondria, this pointing to the change in the sedimentation properties of the lysosomes. An increase in "nonprecipitable" activity of the acid RNA-ase in chronic toxic hepatitis served as the sign of injury of the lysosome membranes.