系统发生分析发现牛病毒性腹泻病病毒新基因亚型

本研究对我国首次分离获得的牛源牛病毒性腹泻病毒(BVDV)毒株Changchun 184(CC-184)和猪源牛病毒性腹泻病毒ZM-95进行了遗传衍化关系研究.选择主要抗原E2基因为研究对象,首先应用RT-PCR及套式PCR克隆得到CC-184和ZM-95的E2片段,通过序列测定发现CC-184和ZM-95 E2基因长度分别为1,122bp和1,125bp,各自编码374和375个氨基酸残基.核酸序列同源性比较和系统发生分析表明2株病毒均属于BVDV-1,CC-184与Osloss亲缘关系最近,都属于已有的b基因亚型,其E2基因同源性达91.8%.而ZM-95的E2基因有一个特征性的变异区,包含一个密码子序列插入,这一变异区编码了一段有别于其他瘟病毒的五肽氨基酸序列HYKKK.结果还表明ZM-95与BVDV-1现有的5个基因亚型的亲缘关系均较远,E2基因同源性最高(与Oregonc24v)只有72.4%.而BVDV 1亚型内毒株间的同源性大于85%,亚型间的同源性在69%～75%之间,充分说明ZM-95是BVDV-1中一个新发现的基因亚型.通常认为猪源BVDV来源于牛,应该与牛源BVDV有十分近的遗传关系,但是本研究发现ZM-95与其他已知牛源BVDV较低的基因同源性说明猪源BVDV还具有独立的遗传衍化与传播来源的可能性.     

极光(aurora)激酶在细胞有丝分裂和肿瘤形成中的重要功能

极光激酶（aurora kinases）是负责调控细胞有丝分裂的一类重要的丝氨酸／苏氨酸激酶。在不同的模式生物中,极光激酶各家族成员的结构和功能都高度保守。近年来,随着极光激酶相关研究的不断深入,人们逐渐认识到极光激酶在细胞有丝分裂以及肿瘤形成中的重要功能。在细胞有丝分裂中,极光激酶参与了诸如中心体成熟分离、纺锤体组装和维持、染色体分离以及胞质分裂等多个事件。异常表达的极光激酶往往会导致细胞在有丝分裂的过程中出现大量的异常现象。此外,极光激酶还参与了肿瘤形成的过程,已经发现一些靶向作用于极光的小分子具有显著的抑癌作用。本文围绕哺乳动物的三种极光激酶,重点讨论了它们在细胞有丝分裂中的动态定位、生物学功能以及时空上的调节方式,并分析了异常表达的极光激酶参与肿瘤形成的可能途径,提出了肿瘤治疗的新思路。     

肿瘤研究的金钥匙:肿瘤干细胞

“肿瘤干细胞学说”认为肿瘤组织不是均一的,其中只有一小部分肿瘤干细胞具有诱发并维持肿瘤恶性表达的能力。这一概念的提出为肿瘤真正意义上的靶向治疗找到了良方妙药,即选择性杀伤肿瘤干细胞从而治愈肿瘤。找到肿瘤干细胞并了解其生物学特性对我们真正理解肿瘤的发生、发展和转归机制,根治肿瘤并防止肿瘤的转移和复发具有积极意义。本文概述对人淋巴细胞白血病、乳腺肿瘤、脑部肿瘤及其他肿瘤的肿瘤干细胞及其相关机制的研究进展。     

cAMP phosphodiesterase inhibitors potentiate effects of prostacyclin analogs in hypoxic pulmonary vascular remodeling

We investigated the effects of prostacyclin analogs and isoform-selective phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors, alone and in combination, on pulmonary vascular remodeling in vitro and in vivo. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) isolated from pulmonary (proximal and distal) and systemic circulations demonstrated subtle variations in expression of PDE isoform mRNA. However, using biochemical assays, we found PDE3 and PDE4 isoforms to be responsible for the majority of cAMP hydrolysis in all VSMC. In growth assays, the prostacyclin analogs cicaprost and iloprost inhibited mitogen-induced proliferation of VSMC in a cAMP-dependent manner. In addition, isoform-selective antagonists of PDEs 1, 3, or 4 inhibited VSMC proliferation, an effect that synergized with the effect of prostacyclin analogs. The inhibitory effects were greater in cells isolated from pulmonary circulation. In an in situ perfused rat lung preparation, administration of prostacyclin analogs or the PDE inhibitors vinpocetine (PDE1), cilostamide (PDE3), or rolipram (PDE4), but not EHNA (PDE2), attenuated acute hypoxic vasoconstriction (HPV). Combinations of agents led to a greater reduction in HPV. Furthermore, during exposure to hypoxia for 13 days, Wistar rats were treated with iloprost, rolipram, cilostamide, or combinations of these agents. Compared with normoxic controls, hypoxic animals developed pulmonary hypertension and distal pulmonary artery muscularization. These parameters were attenuated by iloprost+cilostamide, iloprost+rolipram, and cilostamide+rolipram but were not significantly affected by single agents. Together, these findings provide a greater understanding of the role of cAMP PDEs in VSMC proliferation and provide rationale for combined use of prostacylcin analogs plus PDE3/4 inhibitors in treatment of pulmonary vascular remodeling.     

Adult-derived stem cells and their potential for use in tissue repair and molecular medicine

This report reviews three categories of precursor cells present within adults. The first category of precursor cell, the epiblast-like stem cell, has the potential of forming cells from all three embryonic germ layer lineages, e.g., ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. The second category of precursor cell, the germ layer lineage stem cell, consists of three separate cells. Each of the three cells is committed to form cells limited to a specific embryonic germ layer lineage. Thus the second category consists of germ layer lineage ectodermal stem cells, germ layer lineage mesodermal stem cells, and germ layer lineage endodermal stem cells. The third category of precursor cells, progenitor cells, contains a multitude of cells. These cells are committed to form specific cell and tissue types and are the immediate precursors to the differentiated cells and tissues of the adult. The three categories of precursor cells can be readily isolated from adult tissues. They can be distinguished from each other based on their size, growth in cell culture, expressed genes, cell surface markers, and potential for differentiation. This report also discusses new findings. These findings include the karyotypic analysis of germ layer lineage stem cells; the appearance of dopaminergic neurons after implantation of naive adult pluripotent stem cells into a 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned Parkinson's model; and the use of adult stem cells as transport mechanisms for exogenous genetic material. We conclude by discussing the potential roles of adult-derived precursor cells as building blocks for tissue repair and as delivery vehicles for molecular medicine.     

Global food insecurity. treatment of major food crops with elevated carbon dioxide or ozone under large-scale fully open-air conditions suggests recent models may have overestimated future yields

Predictions of yield for the globe's major grain and legume arable crops suggest that, with a moderate temperature increase, production may increase in the temperate zone, but decline in the tropics. In total, global food supply may show little change. This security comes from inclusion of the direct effect of rising carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration, [CO2], which significantly stimulates yield by decreasing photorespiration in C3 crops and transpiration in all crops. Evidence for a large response to [CO2] is largely based on studies made within chambers at small scales, which would be considered unacceptable for standard agronomic trials of new cultivars or agrochemicals. Yet, predictions of the globe's future food security are based on such inadequate information. Free-Air Concentration Enrichment (FACE) technology now allows investigation of the effects of rising [CO2] and ozone on field crops under fully open-air conditions at an agronomic scale. Experiments with rice, wheat, maize and soybean show smaller increases in yield than anticipated from studies in chambers. Experiments with increased ozone show large yield losses (20%), which are not accounted for in projections of global food security. These findings suggest that current projections of global food security are overoptimistic. The fertilization effect of CO2 is less than that used in many models, while rising ozone will cause large yield losses in the Northern Hemisphere. Unfortunately, FACE studies have been limited in geographical extent and interactive effects of CO2, ozone and temperature have yet to be studied. Without more extensive study of the effects of these changes at an agronomic scale in the open air, our ever-more sophisticated models will continue to have feet of clay.     

近交系MIJ和HFJ大鼠部分生理数据测定和分析

目的测定近交系大鼠MIJ、HFJ和封闭群Wistar大鼠的脏器系数、体温、呼吸频率、肠管长度,观察两个近交系大鼠的生理表型。方法 采用常规方法对大鼠脏器系数、体温、呼吸频率及肠管长度进行测定,并对HFJ、MIJ、Wistar大鼠三者间进行比较。结果①体重:HFJ、MIJ、Wistar大鼠同性别间比较差异无显著性。②脏器系数:HFJ与Wistar大鼠雄性间心脏、肺,雌性间子宫、肝;MIJ与Wistar大鼠雄性间肺、脾,雌性间脑、脾,差异均有显著性。HFJ与MIJ大鼠雄性间脑,雌性间脑和脾差异有显著性。HFJ大鼠不同性别间肝、脑、眼球差异有显著性。MIJ大鼠不同性别间,脑、心脏、肾、肺、脾和眼球差异均有显著性。③体温:HFJ雌性大鼠明显高于Wistar雌性,雄性间差异无显著性。HFJ大鼠雌性高于雄性,差异有显著性。④呼吸频率:HFJ雌性大鼠低于同性Wistar大鼠,MIJ大鼠雌性和雄性均高于同性别Wistar大鼠,差异有显著性。⑤肠管长度:HFJ与Wistar同性别间比较,肠管总长和小肠差异有显著性。MIJ与Wistar大鼠雄性间肠管总长、大肠、小肠、盲肠差异均有显著性,雌性间肠管总长、小肠、盲肠差异有显著性。HFJ与MIJ大鼠同性别间差异均无显著性,不同性别的HFJ和MIJ的肠管总长、大肠和小肠差异有显著性。结论 MIJ和HFJ近交系大鼠的脏器系数、体温、呼吸频率、肠管长度都各有其独特的生理概貌。     

国产磨芋属的染色体核型报道(1)

本文报道了磨芋属(Amorphophallus Blume)六个种的染色体数目和核型,其中5个种属于首次报道。其核型公式如下: 1.滇磨芋 K(2n)=2x=26=26m.2.磨芋 K(2n)=2x=26=26m.3.攸落磨芋K(2n)=2x=26=22m(2SAT)+4sm.(2SAT).4.西盟磨芋 K(2n)=2x=26=20m+4sm+2st.5.勐海磨芋 K(2n)=2x=26=22m+4sm.6.白磨芋 K(2n)=2x=26=20m(2SAT)+6sm。     

Seasonal variability in otariid energetics: implications for the effects of predators on localized prey resources

Otariids, like other wild mammals, contend with a wide variety of energetic demands across seasons. However, due to the cryptic behaviors of this marine group, few studies have been able to examine longitudinal energetic costs or the potential impact of these costs on seasonal or annual prey requirements. Here we evaluated the changes in energy demand and intake of female California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) during reproductive (n=2 sea lions) and nonreproductive (n=3) periods. Monthly measurements included resting metabolic rate, blood hormone levels, body condition (blubber thickness and body mass), and caloric intake for adult sea lions throughout molting, late pregnancy, lactation, and postweaning. We found that maintenance energy demands decreased from 32.0 to 23.1 MJ d(-1) before pupping, remaining stable at 19.4+/-0.6 MJ d(-1) during lactation and postweaning. Energy intake rates to meet these demands showed marked changes with activity level and the reproductive cycle, reaching a peak intake of 3.6 times baseline levels during lactation. Translating this into prey demands, we find that 20,000 reproductively active females on San Nicolas Island rookeries would maximally require 4,950 metric tons of Pacific whiting during a month of the breeding season. This localized impact is reduced significantly with postbreeding dispersal and demonstrates the importance of considering spatial and temporal factors driving the energetic requirements of predators when designing marine protected areas.