Highly amplified electrochemiluminescence of peroxydisulfate using bienzyme functionalized palladium nanoparticles as labels for ultrasensitive immunoassay

An immunosensor based on the electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of peroxydisulfate was firstly proposed by coupling the cooperation of two enzymes to in situ generate coreactant with palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) as catalyst for the ECL reaction. PdNPs were previously synthesized, which successfully attached to functional carbon nanotubes (FCNTs), to bind the secondary antibody and bienzyme (horseradish peroxidase and glucose oxidase). Then the prepared bioconjugates were introduced to the electrode via sandwich immunoreactions. Accordingly, a dramatically amplified ECL signal was obtained for that GOD catalyzed glucose to produce H(2)O(2) which was subsequently reduced by HRP to in situ generate O(2), then PdNPs as catalyst for the ECL reaction of peroxydisulfate/O(2). The present immunosensor was used to detect α-1-fetoprotein (AFP) and showed a wide linear range of 1×10(-5)-100ngmL(-1), with a low detection limit of 3.3fgmL(-1)(S/N=3). This new signal amplification strategy for preparation of the ECL immunosensor could be easily realized and has a potential application in ultrasensitive bioassays.     

云南石林公园不同生境蚂蚁多样性研究

2003年5月下旬(雨季初期)和9月下旬(雨季后期),选择云南石林公园地带性植被滇青冈(Cyclobalanopsisglaucoides)林(原始林)、次生林、灌丛、草地、云南松(Pinusyunnanensis)林5种生境,采用陷阱诱捕法采集蚂蚁,共获蚂蚁8775头,隶属4亚科16属26种。优势种为阿诗玛无刺蚁(Kartidrisashima)、布立毛蚁(Pseudolasiusbournica)和重庆弓背蚁(Campontuschongqingensis)。两个季节蚂蚁多样性指数均以原始林最低,灌丛和松林最高。各生境蚂蚁群落相似性低,相似性系数在0–0.2609之间。结果显示,蚂蚁的多样性受多种环境因子影响;与地带性植被相比,蚂蚁群落在人为干扰的各种生境中已发生较大的变化。     

Effects of asphyxia on arterial blood pressure, formation of nitric oxide in medulla and blood parameters in the cat

The rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) plays an important role in the integration of cardiovascular functions. We examined the effect of asphyxia on cardiovascular responses, on sympathetic vertebral nerve activity (VNA) and nitric oxide (NO) formation in the RVLM, on hemodynamics, and on plasma concentrations of catecholamines, blood gas partial pressures and carbohydrate metabolites. Using 16 anesthetized cats we found that the systemic arterial pressure (SAP), VNA, NO formation and the release of plasma catecholamine components of norepinephrine and epinephrine were increased during asphyxia. The onset of NO production was significantly earlier than that of SAP and VNA. The venous partial pressure of O2 decreased, while the partial pressure of CO2 increased. Furthermore, metabolism of glucose and lactate increased, as did the blood concentrations of white and red blood cells, hemoglobin and platelets. Thus, asphyxia increased SAP, VNA and NO formation. It increased the plasma catecholamines, blood gases, carbohydrate metabolites and blood cells.     

典型草原大针茅种群空间格局及对长期过度放牧的响应

种群空间格局是生态学研究的基本问题之一。典型草原带由于过度放牧退化严重, 原生群落罕见, 探讨原生群落的种群空间格局具有重要生态学意义。大针茅(Stipa grandis)草原是典型草原区广泛分布的主要群落类型, 1979年围封的大针茅样地, 是目前保存完整的大针茅草原原生群落。本文选择大针茅草原原生群落和长期过度放牧群落, 应用O-Ring函数结合不同零假设模型分析了大针茅种群的空间格局。结果表明: 在原生群落中大针茅种群在小尺度范围内呈均匀分布, 而在长期过度放牧群落中则表现为聚集分布。这说明在大针茅草原原生群落中竞争是主要的相互作用, 而在长期过度放牧群落中正相互作用居主导, 验证了胁迫梯度假说; 同时证明长期过度放牧改变了种群空间格局。     

Echinostoma macrorchis in Lao PDR: Metacercariae in Cipangopaludina Snails and Adults from Experimentally Infected Animals

The echinostome metacercariae encysted in Cipangopaludina sp. snails that were purchased from a market in Vientiane Municipality, Lao PDR, were identified as Echinostoma macrorchis (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) through recovery of adult flukes after experimental infection to rats and a cat. The metacercariae were round, 113-128 (121)×113-125 (120) µm, having a thick cyst wall, a head collar armed with collar spines, and excretory granules. The adult flukes recovered from the rats and cat at day 14 and 30 post-infection, respectively, were elongated, ventrally curved, and 3.9-6.3×0.7-1.1 mm in size. The head collar was distinct, bearing 43-45 collar spines with 5 angle spines on each side. Two testes were large (as the name implies), tandem, and slightly constricted at the middle, with irregular margins. Eggs were operculated, ovoid to elliptical, and 88-95×56-60 µm. In scanning electron microscopy, the head collar was prominent, with 43-45 collar spines. Scale-like tegumental spines were densely distributed on the ventral surface between the oral and ventral suckers. Sensory papillae were distributed mainly on the tegument around the 2 suckers. It is confirmed that E. macrorchis is distributed in Lao PDR using Cipangopaludina sp. snails as the second intermediate host.     

A Force Balance Can Explain Local and Global Cell Movements during Early Zebrafish Development

Embryonic morphogenesis takes place via a series of dramatic collective cell movements. The mechanisms that coordinate these intricate structural transformations across an entire organism are not well understood. In this study, we used gentle mechanical deformation of developing zebrafish embryos to probe the role of physical forces in generating long-range intercellular coordination during epiboly, the process in which the blastoderm spreads over the yolk cell. Geometric distortion of the embryo resulted in nonuniform blastoderm migration and realignment of the anterior-posterior (AP) axis, as defined by the locations at which the head and tail form, toward the new long axis of the embryo and away from the initial animal-vegetal axis defined by the starting location of the blastoderm. We found that local alterations in the rate of blastoderm migration correlated with the local geometry of the embryo. Chemical disruption of the contractile ring of actin and myosin immediately vegetal to the blastoderm margin via Ca²⁺ reduction or treatment with blebbistatin restored uniform migration and eliminated AP axis reorientation in mechanically deformed embryos; it also resulted in cellular disorganization at the blastoderm margin. Our results support a model in which tension generated by the contractile actomyosin ring coordinates epiboly on both the organismal and cellular scales. Our observations likewise suggest that the AP axis is distinct from the initial animal-vegetal axis in zebrafish.     

Glucose biosensor based on electrodeposited platinum nanoparticles and three-dimensional porous chitosan membranes

The chitosan with three-dimensional porous structure greatly increased the effective electrode surface for loading of platinum nanoparticles and promoted efficient electron transfer. The resulting biosensor had a response time (within 5 s) and a linear response from 6 μM to 4.2 mM glucose with a detection limit of 2 μM (S/N = 3). Moreover, the methodology can be applied for the immobilization of other enzymes.