Altered infant feeding patterns in boys with acquired nonsyndromic cryptorchidism

BACKGROUND : Genetic and environmental factors likely influence susceptibility to nonsyndromic cryptorchidism, a common disease presenting at birth or in later childhood. We compared cases and controls to define differential risk factors for congenital versus acquired cryptorchidism. METHODS : We compared questionnaire and clinical data from cases of congenital cryptorchidism (n = 230), acquired cryptorchidism (n = 182) and hernia/hydrocele (n = 104) with a group of healthy male controls (n = 358). Potential predictor variables (p < 0.2 in univariable analysis) were included in stepwise multivariable logistic regression models. RESULTS : Temporary (odds ratio [OR], 0.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.4–0.8) or exclusive (OR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.4–0.9) breastfeeding was reduced and soy formula feeding increased (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.2–2.9) in acquired but not congenital or hernia/hydrocele groups. The highest risk estimates were observed for primary soy formula feeding with limited or no breastfeeding (OR 2.5; 95% CI, 1.4–4.3; adjusted OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.4–5.4) in the acquired group. Primary feeding risk estimates were equivalent or strengthened when multivariable models were limited to age greater than 2 years, full‐term or not small for gestational age, or Caucasian subjects. Pregnancy complications and increased maternal exposure to cosmetic or household chemicals were not consistently associated with either form of cryptorchidism in these models. CONCLUSIONS : Our data support reduced breastfeeding and soy formula feeding as potential risk factors for acquired cryptorchidism. Although additional studies are needed, hormonally active components of breast milk and soy formula could influence the establishment of normal testis position in the first months of life, leading to apparent ascent of testes in childhood. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

BDCGrid:基于Globus的生物信息高性能计算网格系统

随着分子生物信息数据量高速增长,生物信息学面临着大规模、高通量、密集型计算的巨大挑战。为有效利用计算机资源,缩短高通量生物信息计算程序执行时间,我们基于Globus Toolkit网格中间件,实现了一个支持高通量生物数据计算的网格系统(Biological Data Computing Grid,简称BDCGrid)。BDCGrid计算网格系统模型可以有效整合中小型生物信息学实验室计算机资源,大大缩短高通量生物信息计算程序执行时间,为相关研究人员利用现有计算机资源处理大规模、高通量生物信息计算任务提供一种新的途径。     

硫化氢在心血管保护过程中免疫炎症调节研究进展

硫化氢(hydrogen sulfide,H_2S)是一种无色、具有臭鸡蛋气味的气体,过去认为只是一种有毒的气体。近年来大量研究证实H_2S是继一氧化氮(nitric oxide,NO)和一氧化碳(carbon oxide,CO)后第三种内源性气体信号分子,同时,H_2S在心血管系统疾病发生、发展过程中起关键的调控作用,但其机制还不明确,已有报道主要通过抗凋亡、抗氧化、调节内皮一氧化氮合酶活性、促进血管新生等;而本文总结了H_2S在缺血性心脏病、动脉粥样硬化等心血管疾病中免疫炎症调节作用及其机制,从而为H_2S生物学功能以及相关心血管疾病的防治提供新的思路。     

陕南早寒武世ANABARITES壳体内部结构及亲缘关系探讨

陕南灯影组宽川铺段的小壳化石具完好的三维保存方式。Anabarites是三辐射对称、单管底栖群居生物,亲缘关系不明。作者通过对陕南宁强下寒武统宽川铺段进行数次系统采样,经过对样品的醋酸溶蚀处理和电子扫描电镜照像后,发现Anabarites壳体内部具螺旋状微结构;经测试分析后认为该结构可能与中槽的深浅成正相关,两者的形成可能与微环境中水体的变化有关。探讨其可能的亲缘关系及其演化序列。     

Occurrence and molecular identification of the zoysiagrass mite Aceria zoysiae (Acari: Eriophyidae) in turfgrasses in Korea

Mites are one of the serious pests of turfgrass. Our survey of turfgrass fields from 2013 to 2015 in Korea showed that the occurrence of leaf chlorotic symptom has gradually extended to at least 60% of the examined golf courses. We identified the zoysiae mite Aceria zoysiae in most damaged zoysiagrasses. Artificial infestation of A. zoysiae into zoysiagrasses in pots resulted in symptoms of chlorosis and marginal rolling of the leaves within 3 weeks. We firstly determined the nucleotide sequence of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA region of A. zoysiae. The variations in COI and ITS2 between A. zoysiae and other species of the genus were 20.9%–43.0% and 7.5%–67.3%, respectively, suggesting significant genetic divergence within the genus. Our study provides valuable information for the rapid diagnosis and infestation monitoring of A. zoysiae in turfgrass fields.     

Substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons and striatal interneurons are engaged in three parallel but interdependent postnatal neurotrophic circuits

The striatum integrates motor behavior using a well‐defined microcircuit whose individual components are independently affected in several neurological diseases. The glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), synthesized by striatal interneurons, and Sonic hedgehog (Shh), produced by the dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra (DA SNpc), are both involved in the nigrostriatal maintenance but the reciprocal neurotrophic relationships among these neurons are only partially understood. To define the postnatal neurotrophic connections among fast‐spiking GABAergic interneurons (FS), cholinergic interneurons (ACh), and DA SNpc, we used a genetically induced mouse model of postnatal DA SNpc neurodegeneration and separately eliminated Smoothened (Smo), the obligatory transducer of Shh signaling, in striatal interneurons. We show that FS postnatal survival relies on DA SNpc and is independent of Shh signaling. On the contrary, Shh signaling but not dopaminergic striatal innervation is required to maintain ACh in the postnatal striatum. ACh are required for DA SNpc survival in a GDNF‐independent manner. These data demonstrate the existence of three parallel but interdependent neurotrophic relationships between SN and striatal interneurons, partially defined by Shh and GDNF. The definition of these new neurotrophic interactions opens the search for new molecules involved in the striatal modulatory circuit maintenance with potential therapeutic value.     

应用白僵菌防治玉米螟的田间试验

玉米螟是我省粮食作物上的重要害虫,利用化学农药(滴滴涕、六六六)治螟,已在生产上推广使用(邱式邦等,1963;农安县柴岗公社农业站等,1966)。随着近年来防治面积的扩大,使用农药数量日益增多。同时,从国内、外发展趋势表明,由于大量生产和使用有机氯等化学农药防治害虫带来了一系列不良后果(如残毒,抗药性及环境污染等问题),因此,迫切要求研究治螟的新方     

Identification and characterization of the aspartate chemosensory receptor of Campylobacter jejuni

Campylobacter jejuni is a highly motile bacterium that responds via chemotaxis to environmental stimuli to migrate towards favourable conditions. Previous in silico analysis of the C. jejuni strain NCTC11168 genome sequence identified 10 open reading frames, tlp1‐10, that encode putative chemosensory receptors. We describe the characterization of the role and specificity of the Tlp1 chemoreceptor (Cj1506c). In vitro and in vivo models were used to determine if Tlp1 had a role in host colonization. The tlp1^‐ isogenic mutant was more adherent in cell culture, however, showed reduced colonization ability in chickens. Specific interactions between the purified sensory domain of Tlp1 and l ‐aspartate were identified using an amino acid array and saturation transfer difference nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Chemotaxis assays showed differences between migration of wild‐type C. jejuni cells and that of a tlp1^‐ isogenic mutant, specifically towards aspartate. Furthermore, using yeast two‐hybrid and three‐hybrid systems for analysis of protein–protein interactions, the cytoplasmic signalling domain of Tlp1 was found to preferentially interact with CheV, rather than the CheW homologue of the chemotaxis signalling pathway; this interaction was confirmed using immune precipitation assays. This is the first identification of an aspartate receptor in bacteria other than Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium.     

Modulation of auxin signalling through DIAGETROPICA and ENTIRE differentially affects tomato plant growth via changes in photosynthetic and mitochondrial metabolism

Auxin modulates a range of plant developmental processes including embryogenesis, organogenesis, and shoot and root development. Recent studies have shown that plant hormones also strongly influence metabolic networks, which results in altered growth phenotypes. Modulating auxin signalling pathways may therefore provide an opportunity to alter crop performance. Here, we performed a detailed physiological and metabolic characterization of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) mutants with either increased (entire) or reduced (diageotropica—dgt) auxin signalling to investigate the consequences of altered auxin signalling on photosynthesis, water use, and primary metabolism. We show that reduced auxin sensitivity in dgt led to anatomical and physiological modifications, including altered stomatal distribution along the leaf blade and reduced stomatal conductance, resulting in clear reductions in both photosynthesis and water loss in detached leaves. By contrast, plants with higher auxin sensitivity (entire) increased the photosynthetic capacity, as deduced by higher V_cmax and J_max coupled with reduced stomatal limitation. Remarkably, our results demonstrate that auxin‐sensitive mutants (dgt) are characterized by impairments in the usage of starch that led to lower growth, most likely associated with decreased respiration. Collectively, our findings suggest that mutations in different components of the auxin signalling pathway specifically modulate photosynthetic and respiratory processes.     

High Performance Flexible Supercapacitor Electrodes Composed of Ultralarge Graphene Sheets and Vanadium Dioxide

Little is known regarding the effect of the graphene lateral size on the electrochemical performance of hybrid graphene electrode. This work examines the electrochemical performance of a flexible hybrid supercapacitor electrode composed of ultralarge graphene oxide (UGO; mean lateral size of 47 ± 22 μm) and vanadium dioxide (VO₂) nanobelts, referring to a reference electrode composed of small scale graphene oxide (SGO; mean lateral size of 0.8 ± 0.5 μm) and VO₂.Thermal treatment converts UGO/VO₂ and SGO/VO₂ to URGO/VO₂ (denoted VURGO) and SRGO/VO₂ (denoted VSRGO) electrodes, respectively. The sheet resistance of the VURGO film (0.57 ± 0.03 kΩ sq.^–1) was two orders of magnitude lower than that of the VSRGO (55.74 ± 9.35 kΩ sq.^–1). The VURGO hybrid electrode showed a specific capacitance of 769 F g^?1, which was significantly better than the corresponding values for the VSRGO electrode (385 F/g). These results support the notion that the use of ultralarge graphene sheets (≈22 500 μm²) lowers the intersheet resistance due to the presence of fewer intersheet tunneling barriers. This article highlights the potential utility of URGO (as a conductive support) in hybrid electrode containing VO₂ nanobelts for high performance flexible hybrid supercapacitor.