The mode of action of thidiazuron: auxins,indoleamines, and ion channels in the regeneration of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Echinacea purpurea</Emphasis> L.

The biochemical mechanisms underlying thidiazuron (TDZ)-induced regeneration in plant cells have not been clearly elucidated. Exposure of leaf explants of Echinacea purpurea to a medium containing TDZ results in undifferentiated cell proliferation and differentiated growth as mixed shoot organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis. The current studies were undertaken to determine the potential roles of auxin, indoleamines, and ion signaling in the dedifferentiation and redifferentiation of plant cells. E. purpurea leaf explants were found to contain auxin and the related indoleamine neurotransmitters, melatonin, and serotonin. The levels of these endogenous indoleamines were increased by exposure to TDZ associated with the induction of regeneration. The auxin-transport inhibitor 2,3,5-triiodobenzoic acid and auxin action inhibitor, p-chlorophenoxyisobutyric acid decreased the TDZ-induced regeneration but increased concentrations of endogenous serotonin and melatonin. As well, inhibitors of calcium and sodium transport significantly reduced TDZ-induced morphogenesis while increasing endogenous indoleamine content. These data indicate that TDZ-induced regeneration is the manifestation of a metabolic cascade that includes an initial signaling event, accumulation, and transport of endogenous plant signals such as auxin and melatonin, a system of secondary messengers, and a concurrent stress response.     

感染羊瘙痒因子263K株或139A株仓鼠脑组织中tau蛋白和磷酸化tau蛋白变化的研究

为探讨朊病毒病的神经病理特征,应用Western blot方法检测了感染羊瘙痒因子263K株或139A株的仓鼠脑组织中总tau蛋白和Ser396和Ser404位点发生磷酸化tau蛋白表达水平的变化;并应用Real Time PCR方法检测了tau mRNAs转录活性的改变。结果表明总tau蛋白含量升高而Ser396和Ser404位点发生磷酸化的tau蛋白含量降低,该现象与羊瘙痒因子毒株类型和临床潜伏期无关;感染羊瘙痒因子的仓鼠脑组织中Tau2和Tau4这两个异构体的转录水平升高。这些结果表明tau蛋白在Ser396和Ser404位点的去磷酸化可能与朊病毒病发病相关。     

GIS支持下上海城市生态敏感性分析

选取影响上海市生态环境的5个敏感性因子(河流湖泊、文物古迹及森林公园、地质灾害、土壤污染和土地利用),利用层次分析法(AHP)确定敏感性因子权重,结合GIS空间分析技术,把5个因子的敏感性划分为高度敏感、中度敏感、低度敏感和不敏感4个等级,最后得到上海城市生态敏感性的空间分布.结果表明:上海城市生态敏感性在空间分布上呈显著差异;不敏感区、低度敏感区、中度敏感区和高度敏感区分别占城市总面积的37.07%、5.94%、38.16%和18.83%.对上海城市生态敏感性进行研究,并提出其分区保护与建设措施,为上海市生态保护和经济发展提供科学参考.     

β-发卡抗菌肽的全新设计及其生物学活性

通过缬氨酸和精氨酸的交替连接形成β-发卡结构的两条侧链,D-脯氨酸和甘氨酸形成β-转角单元以及侧链末端的两个半胱氨酸连接形成一个二硫键,来设计得到全新的由16残基构成的β-发卡抗菌肽VR。对设计得到的抗菌肽VR的生物学活性进行了检测,主要测定了新型β-发卡抗菌肽VR的最小杀菌浓度、对红细胞的溶血活性、杀菌动力学和盐敏感性。结果发现,VR和蜂毒素具有相似的杀菌活性,而溶血活性远低于蜂毒素,这表明VR比蜂毒素具有更高的细胞选择性。在NaCl的浓度低于100 mmol/L时,VR的杀菌活性没有受到影响;在NaCl的浓度为100 mmol/L时,VR具有50%的杀菌活性。综上可见,VR具有较优异的生物学活性,拥有成为抗生素替代物的发展潜力。     

电针诱导心肌缺血大鼠延髓头端腹外侧区nNOS和iNOS差异表达

许多研究表明,延髓头端腹外侧区(rostral ventrolateml medulla,RVLM)的NO/NOS系统参与心血管活动的中枢调节.本实验以结扎Wistar大鼠左冠状动脉前降支法建立急性心肌缺血(acute myocardial ischemia,AMI)动物模型,观察针刺"内关"穴改善AMI大鼠的心功能作用,同时检测大鼠RVLM区神经元型一氧化氮合酶(neuronal nitric oxide synthase,nNOS)和诱导型一氧化氮合酶(inducible nitric oxide synthase,iNOS)表达的变化,进而探讨针刺治疗AMI的中枢机制.实验观察显示,AMI大鼠心功能各项指标减弱,伴随外周血去甲肾上腺素(norepinephrine,NE)和脑钠肽(brain natriuretic peptide,BNP)水平显著升高,同时RVLM区nNOS阳性神经元数和nNOS mRNA表达升高,而iNOS水平则降低.针刺"内关"穴(Pe 6)(每天30 min,连续5天)改善心功能,降低AMI大鼠血清中NE和BNP的水平,同时升高iNOS并降低nNOS在RVLM的表达.以上结果提示,针刺治疗心肌缺血的同时可以调节iNOS/NO和nNOS/NO在RVLM的变化,这可能与针刺通过调节RVLM区的NO含量进而降低交感传出,从而改善AMI大鼠的心功能有关.     

Cell-surface expression of a membrane-anchored form of the human chorionic gonadotropin alpha subunit

We carried out experiments designed to generate a novel cell-surface protein from a small glycosylated secretory protein. DNA encoding the entire precursor of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG, alpha subunit) was fused precisely to DNA encoding the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains of the vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein. When expressed in animal cells this DNA encoded the 92-amino acid hCG-alpha subunit anchored in cellular membranes by an extension composed of the 49 carboxyl-terminal amino acids of vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein. This hybrid protein was transported efficiently to the plasma membrane of animal cells. The two asparagine-linked glycans on the anchored form of hCG-alpha were large and heterogeneous when compared to those on the secretory form. Experiments employing in vitro mutagenesis and the glycosylation inhibitor tunicamycin established that the presence of at least one of the two asparagine-linked glycans was required for expression of the anchored molecule on the cell surface. However, as reported previously, secretion of hCG-alpha occurred in the absence of glycosylation. Also, mutations eliminating the second glycosylation site (at amino acid 78) in both the anchored or secreted forms apparently led to partial denaturation or a conformational change interfering with transport of the protein.     

V2O5 Nano‐Electrodes with High Power and Energy Densities for Thin Film Li‐Ion Batteries

Nanostructured V₂O₅ thin films have been prepared by means of cathodic deposition from an aqueous solution made from V₂O₅ and H₂O₂ directly on fluorine‐doped tin oxide coated (FTO) glasses followed by annealing at 500°C in air, and studied as film electrodes for lithium ion batteries. XPS results show that the as‐deposited films contained 15% V⁴⁺, however after annealing all the vanadium is oxidized to V⁵⁺. The crystallinity, surface morphology, and microstructures of the films have been investigated by means of XRD, SEM, and AFM. The V₂O₅ thin film electrodes show excellent electrochemical properties as cathodes for lithium ion intercalation: a high initial discharge capacity of 402 mA h g^?1 and 240 mA h g^?1 is retained after over 200 cycles with a discharging rate of 200 mA g^?1 (1.3 C). The specific energy density is calculated as 900 W h kg^?1 for the 1^st cycle and 723 W h kg^?1 for the 180^th cycle when the films are tested at 200 mA g^?1 (1.3 C). When discharge/charge is carried out at a high current density of 10.5 A g^?1 (70 C), the thin film electrodes retain a good discharge capacity of 120 mA h g^?1, and the specific power density is over 28 kW kg^?1.