蝗虫的发生与防控

蝗虫暴发引起的灾害是全球重要的生物灾害,可影响到全世界十分之一的人口。自2019年,东部非洲、西亚、南亚多个国家遭遇严重的沙漠蝗虫灾害,这场蝗灾不但对该区域的粮食安全构成严重威胁,而且还有可能引发严重的人道主义危机。为了制定合理的防治方案,实施有效防控,避免大规模蝗灾的发生,需要掌握蝗虫的生物学、生态学、暴发和为害规律、防治策略和技术特点及其进展等。本文介绍了世界各地包括沙漠蝗、飞蝗、澳大利亚疫蝗在内的11种可以引起灾害的重要种类的主要分布、为害和特性,并对国内外蝗虫防治策略、技术进展进行了重点综述。最后,针对目前蝗虫防治存在的问题提出了相应建议。     

The influence of inhibiting or stimulating the expression of the α3 subunit of the nicotinic receptor in SH-SY5Y cells on levels of amyloid-β peptide and β-secretase

To examine the effects of the α3 subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) on the expression of β-secretase and the concomitant level of amyloid-β (Aβ), SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells were either transfected with small interference RNAs (siRNAs) specifically targeting this subunit or exposed to nicotine. The levels of α3 nAChR mRNA and protein, as well as the corresponding levels of BACE1 (which cleaves the β-site of APP) and BACE2 (cleaving in the Aβ domain) were determined by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The levels of Aβ_1–42 in culture media were determined by an Elisa procedure.     

综述与专论：表观遗传修饰调控阿尔茨海默病的研究进展

阿尔茨海默病（Alzheimer’s disease,AD）是一种临床上常见的以进行性认知功能障碍和记忆减退为主要特征的神经退行性疾病。近些年研究发现，表观遗传修饰如DNA修饰、组蛋白修饰、RNA修饰及非编码RNA在Aβ沉积、Tau蛋白过度磷酸化、神经再生、突触可塑性和认知功能中发挥不同程度的调控作用，进而改善或加剧AD病理进程。临床数据表明表观遗传修饰的改变与AD风险呈显著相关性，运用药物、物理刺激、si RNA等干预手段在AD动物模型中改变表观遗传修饰水平可改善AD病理和认知能力。本文综述了不同的表观遗传修饰在AD中的调控作用，为进一步理解AD的表观遗传学机制及通过干预表观遗传修饰改善或治疗AD的可行性提供理论依据。     

Application of Non-invasive Microsensing System to Simultaneously Measure Both H^＋ and O2 Fluxes Around the Pollen Tube

Various Ionic and molecular activities in the extraceUular environment are vital to plant cell physiological processes. A noninvasive microsensing system （NMS） based on either the scanning ion-selective electrode technique （SIET） or the scanning polarographlc electrode technique （SPET） is able to obtain information regarding the transportation of various Ions/molecules in Intact samples under normal physiological conditions. The two-probe simultaneous test system （2STS） Is an Integrated system composed of SIET, SPET, and a Xu-Kunkel sampling protocol. In the present study, 2STS was able to simultaneously measure fluxes of H^＋ and O2 of the Uly （Lillum Iongiflorum Thunb. cv. Ace） pollen tube while avoiding interference between the two probes. The results Indicate that the proton fluxes were effluxes, whereas the oxygen fluxes were Influxes, and they were closely correlated to each other surrounding the constitutive alkaline band region. Specifically, when the proton effluxes increased, the oxygen Influxes also increased. Therefore, the hypothesis of condensed active mitochondria existing in the alkalized area of the pollen tube proposed by Hepler＇s group is supported.     

Insights of stem cell-based endogenous repair of intervertebral disc degeneration

Low back pain has become more prevalent in recent years, causing enormous economic burden for society and government. Common therapies used in clinics including conservative treatment and surgery can only relieve pain. Subsequent cell-based treatment such as mesenchymal stem cell transplantation poses problems such as short duration of therapeutic effect and tumorigenesis. Recently, the discovery and identification of stem cell niche and stem/progenitor cells in intervertebral disc bring increased attention to endogenous repair strategy. Therefore, we review the studies involving endogenous repair strategy and present the characteristics and current status of this treatment. Meanwhile, we also discuss the strategy and perspective of endogenous repair strategy in future.