RAPD analysis of the interspecific somatic hybrids: Solanum bulbocastanum (+) S. tuberosum

The diploid Mexican species S. bulbocastanum (blb) was used as a source of late blight resistance in somatic hybridization with the potato (S. tuberosum, tbr) dihaploid H-8105. The produced 2x blb (+) 2x tbr H-8105 somatic hybrids did not retain the blb parent's characteristic high resistance to P. infestans. The revealed aneuploidy of blb (+) tbr H-8105 hybrids indicated a possible loss of individual blb chromosome(s) carrying the resistance genes. Four hybrid clones differing in terms of their ploidy, morphology and growth potential were analysed for the presence of all twelve blb chromosomes (linkage groups). The RAPD markers assigned to particular chromosomes were selected on the basis of the linkage map of S. bulbocastanum constructed by Naess et al., Mol. Gen. Genom. 265 (2001) 694-704. Of the 86 markers analysed, twelve (14%) were common for blb and H-8105, while 34 (40%) and 40 (46%) markers were specific for the blb and H-8105 genome, respectively; this confirms the differences between the nuclear genomes of the two species. Seventeen markers (20%) present in one or the other parent were absent in the hybrids, and only one new marker was found in the hybrids. The poorly growing, aneuploid and chimeric hybrids had the same band profiles as the well growing, morphologically normal hybrids, except for two bands that were present only in normal hybrids. The presence of eleven blb linkage groups in the blb (+) tbr H-8105 hybrids was confirmed. The markers specific for the second linkage group (chromosome 2) of blb were not present in the RAPD patterns of the somatic hybrids analysed, suggesting a loss or rearrangement of this chromosome in the combined nuclear genome of the hybrids.     

ISB recommendation on definitions of joint coordinate systems of various joints for the reporting of human joint motion--Part II: shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand

In this communication, the Standardization and Terminology Committee (STC) of the International Society of Biomechanics proposes a definition of a joint coordinate system (JCS) for the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand. For each joint, a standard for the local axis system in each articulating segment or bone is generated. These axes then standardize the JCS. The STC is publishing these recommendations so as to encourage their use, to stimulate feedback and discussion, and to facilitate further revisions. Adopting these standards will lead to better communication among researchers and clinicians.     

Progesterone inhibits the estrogen-induced phosphoinositide 3-kinase-->AKT-->GSK-3beta-->cyclin D1-->pRB pathway to block uterine epithelial cell proliferation

The mammalian cell cycle is regulated by the cyclin/cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma (pRB) family of proteins. Cyclin D1 with its CDK4/6 partners initiates the cell cycle and acts as the link between extracellular signals and the cell cycle machinery. Estradiol-17beta (E2) stimulates uterine epithelial cell proliferation, a process that is completely inhibited by pretreatment with progesterone (P4). Previously, we identified cyclin D1 localization as a key point of regulation in these cells with E2 causing its nuclear accumulation and P4 retaining it in the cytoplasm with the resultant inhibition of pRB phosphorylation. Here we show that E2 stimulates phosphoinositide 3-kinase to activate phosphokinase B/AKT to effect an inhibitory phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK-3beta). This pathway is suppressed by P4. Inhibition of the GSK-3beta activity in P4-treated uteri by the specific inhibitor, LiCl, reversed the nuclear accumulation of cyclin D1 and in doing so, caused pRB phosphorylation and the induction of downstream genes, proliferating cell nuclear antigen and Ki67. Conversely, inhibition of phosphoinositide 3 kinase by LY294002 or Wortmanin reversed the E2-induced GSK-3beta Ser9 inhibitory phosphorylation and blocked nuclear accumulation of cyclin D1. These data show the reciprocal actions of E2 and P4 on the phosphoinositide 3-kinase through to the GSK-3beta pathway that in turn regulates cyclin D1 localization and cell cycle progression. These data reveal a novel signaling pathway that links E2 and P4 action to growth factor-mediated signaling in the uterus.     

Correlation between fenvalerate resistance and cytochrome P450-mediated O-demethylation activity in Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases are a major metabolic mechanism responsible for pyrethroid resistance in Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) from Asia. Cytochrome P450-mediated O-demethylation activity toward p-nitroanisole (PNOD) of individual fourth instars was determined in five strains of H. armigera by using a microplate reader. The four resistant strains of YS, HD, YGF, and YG59 had 6-, 71-, 2540-, and 11,800-fold resistance, respectively, to fenvalerate in comparison with the susceptible BK77 strain. Their mean PNOD activity was 4-, 10-, 24-, and 60-fold, respectively, compared with the BK77 strain. A strong positive correlation (correlation coefficient r = 0.98) between PNOD activity and fenvalerate resistance was found. Of 48 larvae from each strain, only 4% larvae of the susceptible BK77 strain had detectable PNOD activity, whereas 25, 33, 79, and 96% of larvae from the resistant strains YS, HD, YGF, and YG59 exhibited PNOD activity, respectively. There was a clear discrimination of patterns of PNOD frequency distribution between H. armigera strains and their magnitudes of fenvalerate resistance. The PNOD activity can be used as a biochemical marker for monooxygenase-mediated pyrethroid resistance in field populations of H. armigera.     

Bioaccumulation of Cry1Ab Protein from an Herbivore Reduces Anti-Oxidant Enzyme Activities in Two Spider Species

Cry proteins are expressed in rice lines for lepidopteran pest control. These proteins can be transferred from transgenic rice plants to non-target arthropods, including planthoppers and then to a predatory spider. Movement of Cry proteins through food webs may reduce fitness of non-target arthropods, although recent publications indicated no serious changes in non-target populations. Nonetheless, Cry protein intoxication influences gene expression in Cry-sensitive insects. We posed the hypothesis that Cry protein intoxication influences enzyme activities in spiders acting in tri-trophic food webs. Here we report on the outcomes of experiments designed to test our hypothesis with two spider species. We demonstrated that the movement of CryAb protein from Drosophila culture medium into fruit flies maintained on the CryAb containing medium and from the flies to the spiders Ummeliata insecticeps and Pardosa pseudoannulata. We also show that the activities of three key metabolic enzymes, acetylcholine esterase (AchE), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were significantly influenced in the spiders after feeding on Cry1Ab-containing fruit flies. We infer from these data that Cry proteins originating in transgenic crops impacts non-target arthropods at the physiological and biochemical levels, which may be one mechanism of Cry protein-related reductions in fitness of non-target beneficial predators.     

CK2 phosphorylates TNFAIP1 to affect its subcellular localization and interaction with PCNA

TNFAIP1 is a protein which can be induced by tumor necrosis factorα (TNFα) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), it may play roles in DNA synthesis, DNA repair, cell apoptosis and human diseases. However, very little has been known about how TNFAIP1 acts in these physiological processes. In this paper, CK2β was identified as a partner of TNFAIP1 by screening the HeLa cDNA library in yeast two-hybrid system with TNFAIP1 as a bait. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that CK2 could phosphorylate TNFAIP1 in vitro and in vivo, which facilitated the distribution of TNFAIP1 in nucleus and enhanced its interaction with PCNA. It is suggested that the phosphorylation of TNFAIP1 may be required for its functions.     

影响正常口腔念珠菌检出率的方法学研究

目的:研究不同检测方法对正常口腔念珠菌检出率的影响,寻找一种比较简便可靠的检测方法.方法:以健康的平均年龄7.4岁的儿童为检测人群,比较不同的取样部位,取样方法,检测方法,被检人群口腔中白色念珠菌以及其他念珠菌的检出率.结果:取样和检测方法对检出率有不同程度的影响,PCR检测方法的检出率显著高于培养法.结论:黏膜拭子加离心,和CHROMagar CandidaTM鉴定培养基相结合的方法是一种简便理想的分离培养方法,PCR方法则敏感度更高.     

盐生草(Halogeton glomeratus)二型种子的休眠与萌发

盐生草的果实和种子存在二型性,这两种类型的种子在形状、大小、颜色及包被其花被片背部是否具翅上均有显著差异.绿色种子,圆形,直径为(1.552±0.116) mm,宿存花被革质,背部有紫红色翅状附属物,单粒重为(0.808±0.033)mg;黄色种子,椭圆形,长为(1.752±0.155) mm,宽为(1.146±0.088) mm,宿存花被革质,背部无翅状附属物,单粒重为(0.568±0.011) mg.两种种子在3个变温条件(5/25℃、5/25℃、15/25℃,暗12 h /光12 h)下的萌发率均较低,绿色种子为36%,而黄色种子为17%(15℃/25℃).延长储藏时间和划破种皮均能显著提高绿色种子的萌发率,表明绿色种子属于非深度生理休眠.随着储藏时间的延长,黄色种子的萌发率也能缓慢提高,但不显著,而划破种皮能够显著促进其萌发,表明黄色种子属于深度生理休眠.