Disturbed nonlinear multispecies models in ecology.

We analyze a disturbed form of the general Lotka-Volterra model of an ecosystem with m interacting species. The disturbances act on the intrinsic growth rates of the species and are assumed to be bounded but otherwise unknown. We employ a Lyapunov technique and the concept of "reachable set" from control theory to estimate the set of all possible population densities that are attainable as a result of the disturbances. To calculate estimates for this reachable set, a number of numerical methods that entail the solution to one or more global optimization problems are developed. Specific examples involving two, three, and four species are solved. We also derive an explicit analytical expression that represents an estimate for the reachable set in the m-dimensional case. The estimate is conservative but can be evaluated without carrying out any optimization procedure. We show that methods developed in this paper can be applied to certain other types of nonlinear ecosystem models.     

染色体辐射效应的微机检测 Ⅱ断片率 微核率与细胞畸变率间的相关性检测

本文继前文后,按照设计的线性回归程序在“IBM—PC/XT”微型计算机上,进一步检测了断片率、微核率与细胞畸变率之间的相关性,肯定了微核测定法,断片测定法可以替代染色体畸变分析法。     

Evidence for targeted gene delivery to Hep G2 hepatoma cells in vitro

We have developed a system for targeting foreign DNA to hepatocytes in vitro using a soluble DNA carrier that takes advantage of receptor-mediated endocytosis to achieve internalization. The idea is based on the fact that hepatocytes possess a unique receptor that binds and internalizes galactose-terminal (asialo)glycoproteins. To create a targetable carrier system that could bind DNA in a nondeforming manner, we used poly(L-lysine) to bind DNA in a strong but noncovalent interaction. An asialoglycoprotein, asialoorosomucoid (AsOR), was chemically coupled to poly(L-lysine) to form an asialoorosomucoid-poly(L-lysine) conjugate. Various proportions of conjugate to DNA were tested to determine conditions that maximized DNA content in a soluble complex and that limited solubility of complexes. To test the targetable gene delivery system, AsOR-poly(L-lysine) conjugate was complexed to the plasmid pSV2 CAT containing the gene for chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) driven by an SV-40 promoter. We tested this complex using a model system consisting of human hepatoma cell line Hep G2 [asialoglycoprotein receptor (+)], hepatoma SK-Hep 1, IMR-90 fibroblasts, and uterine smooth muscle [receptor (-)] cells. Each cell line was incubated with 0.2 micron filtered AsOR-poly(L-lysine)-DNA complex or controls consisting of DNA plus AsOR, DNA plus poly(L-lysine), or DNA alone. Cells were assayed for the presence of CAT activity as a measure of gene transformation. SK-Hep 1, IMR-90, and smooth muscle [receptor (-)] cells produced no detectable acetylated chloramphenicol derivatives under any of these conditions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Mechanism of bleomycin: evidence for 4'-ketone formation in poly(dA-dU) associated exclusively with free base release

Incubation of poly(dA-[3'-3H]dU), poly(dA-[5'-3H]dU), or poly(dA-[5'-3H]dT) under a variety of conditions with activated bleomycin resulted in the production of free nucleic acid base, base propenal, and a small amount of 3H2O. Adjustment of the terminated reaction mixture to pH 10 and incubation at 95 degrees C resulted in a time-dependent increase in 3H2O to an amount equal to the amount of free base. If the terminated reaction mixture was incubated with NaBH4 prior to the heat and alkaline treatment, the release of 3H2O was significantly inhibited. These results are consistent with the generation by activated bleomycin of a 4'-ketone yielding free base, with the exchange of the 3'- and 5'-hydrogens by enolization and with the alkaline-induced strand scission occurring from this intermediate.     

中国人ε珠蛋白基因5′侧序列中多态性Hinc Ⅱ位点的进一步研究

本文进一步研究了我国不同民族的正常个体以及β地中海贫血患者θ珠蛋白基因5′侧序列中的多态性HincⅡ位点及其遗传性质。在广西壮族正常个体和β地中海贫血纯合子中,该多态性位点的发生频率均为75％,与正常汉族人测得值相近。家系分析资料表明,该多态性位点完全按照孟德尔规律进行遗传。     

Evidence for cAMP-independent inhibition of S-phase DNA synthesis by prostaglandins

Two prostaglandins, prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) and prostaglandin B1 (PGB1), block S-phase DNA synthesis in synchronous cultured baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells. The prostaglandin inhibition of DNA synthesis does not appear to require elevated levels of cAMP. In BHK-21 cells that have been "desensitized" to prostaglandin stimulation of adenylate cyclase and, therefore, have control levels of cAMP, PGE1 retains its inhibitory effect on the incorporation of tritiated thymidine into DNA. When BHK cells are exposed to PGB1 (a prostaglandin that does not elicit a cAMP response), DNA synthesis is also blocked. In nonsynchronous cells exposed for 1 h to PGE and then incubated for 1 h with PGE removed, a rebound of DNA synthesis occurs, therefore providing evidence that a transient rise of cAMP in itself is not capable of causing a cascade of reactions that block the synthesis of DNA. In addition, the concentration of PGE required for inhibition of DNA synthesis is significantly less than that required for cAMP generation. Addition of 1 x 10(-8) M PGE to BHK cells can be shown to significantly inhibit DNA synthesis within 30 min, with half-maximal inhibition seen at 3 x 10(-7) M PGE. Cyclic AMP levels for controls were 4.9 +/- 0.2 and 4.6 +/- 0.1 for 1 x 10(-6) M PGE1. These findings suggest that the prostaglandins can act independently of cAMP at physiological concentrations; and, therefore, it is possible that prostaglandins have a physiological role in the control of cell growth during S-phase.     

Haemolysis of rabbit erythrocytes by a lectin from the seeds of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Croton tiglium</Emphasis>

The kinetics of haemolysis of rabbit erythrocytes byCroton tiglium lectin was studied as a function of concentration of the lectin and erythrocytes. The length of the prelytic period decreased with increasing lectin concentrations, indicating that the secondary events at the membrane which follow the binding of the lectin to cell surface carbohydrate receptors are accelerated at higher surface concentrations of the lectin. The rate or extent of haemolysis was not affected by the inclusion of ions like K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ in the medium or by the substitution of ionic medium by a non-ionic medium. The inhibition of haemagglutination and haemolysis of rabbit red cells byCroton tiglium lectin by antilectin rabbit serum was observed. A possible mechanism of haemolysis by the lectin is discussed.     

Plant lectins specific for N-acetyl-β-D-galactosamine

N-Acetyl-D-galactosamine in β-linkage being ubiquitous in cell surface glycoproteins, their interaction with lectins specific for this sugar moiety may be a significant event in cell adhesion phenomena. This article discusses the common β-N-acetyl galactosamine-specific lectins, with particular stress on the lectin from winged beans (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus).