Reconsideration of the supposed naraoiid larva from the Early Cambrian Chengjiang Lagerstätte, South China

The Chengjiang Lagerstätte in the Lower Cambrian of South China yields a small, larva‐like arthropod, which was considered to be a protaspis of naraoiids by many authors. The discovery of a large number of well‐preserved specimens from many new localities has allowed the original study to be revised. The relatively large size, stable morphology and unusual structure of the appendages indicate that these specimens represent adults of a new arthropod, Primicaris larvaformis. The larva‐like outline is considered to have arisen by the heterochronic process of progenesis. In addition, this animal displays primitive aspects of bodyplan and limb morphology that suggest a basal position within arachnomorphs, or perhaps even arthropods, and the similarities to the Vendian arthropod‐like animal Parvancorina probably provide an evolutionary link between Vendian forms and Cambrian arthropods.     

基于磁性颗粒“在位”PCR和通用标签技术的新型高通量SNP分型方法

单核苷酸多态性(single nucleotide polymorphism,SNP)在对复杂疾病遗传易感性以及基于群体基因识别等方面的研究中起着非常重要的作用,尤其是对复杂疾病遗传易感性的研究,需要对大量样本进行分型.为了满足这种要求,亟待需要发展一种操作简单、成本较低、适于自动化和高通量的分型技术.利用磁性颗粒"在位"固相PCR(insituMPs-PCR)扩增的靶序列,通过与野生、突变标签探针以及双色荧光(Cy3,Cy5)通用检测子杂交实现对样本的分型.应用该方法,对96个样本的亚甲基四氢叶酸还原酶(MTHFR)基因C677T位点的多态性进行了检测,其野生型和突变型样本的正错配信号比大于4.5,杂合型正错配信号比接近1,分型结果与测序结果一致.     

DREB2s转录因子基因的表达调控机制研究进展

DREB2s是植物特有的转录因子,隶属于AP2/EREBP转录因子家族,对干旱、高盐或低温、高温等非生物胁迫应答基因的表达有重要的调控作用。不同植物来源的DREB2在基因结构上有细微差异,对非生物胁迫的响应亦有不同表现。本文阐述了DREB2s的蛋白质结构特征及其对多种非生物胁迫的应答反应,并深入分析了DREB2s转录水平和转录后加工水平的表达调控分子机制的最新研究进展,为理解DREB2s基因功能、分子调控机制及作物抗逆基因工程提供理论依据。     

综述与专论：运动经外泌体防治肌少症的研究进展

肌少症（sarcopenia）是以骨骼肌质量和肌力进行性下降为特征的增龄性综合征,探究其发病机理对于肌少症的预防与治疗具有重要意义。研究表明,外泌体（exosomes）与肌少症关联密切,可能是一种有益的削弱/防治手段,但其机制尚未厘清。近期研究表明,外泌体富含运动因子/细胞因子,其不仅参与机体细胞与组织间的交互作用（cross talk）,亦介导了包括骨骼肌细胞增殖与分化在内的诸多病理生理过程。此外,运动可通过促进外泌体的释放并调节外泌体携带的miRNAs和/或蛋白质的表达,从而有效改善肌少症。本文就外泌体及其生物学特性以及外泌体与肌少症之间的关系进行归纳梳理,总结并分析运动对外泌体的影响及其可能机制,以期为肌少症的防治提供新的策略。     

Shell structure,ornamentation and affinity of the problematic early Cambrian brachiopod Heliomedusa orienta

The origin of the Brachiopoda has long been a hotly debated topic, and various models have been proposed following the latest finds of exceptionally preserved material. The lower Cambrian (Stage 3) Heliomedusa orienta from the Chengjiang Konservat-Lagerstätte, eastern Yunnan of South China, is an important example of exceptional preservation. A wide variety of affinities have been proposed for Heliomedusa, but recently it has been suggested to reside within the mickwitziids, which may form a stem group to the Brachiopoda. Detailed studies of exceptionally preserved Heliomedusa have increased our knowledge of the soft-part anatomy of this important early brachiopod, but unfortunately, almost nothing is known about its shell structure. Here, we describe new exceptionally preserved specimens from the Chengjiang biota to better reveal both shell structure and ornamentation. Its reticulate–pustulose ornament and tubular structure are reminiscent of traits seen in other mickwitziid brachiopods. In addition, two types of setae can be observed. Apart from the pyritized marginal mantle setae, some tubules are filled with iron oxides, potentially representing thinner and shorter penetrative setae. Both valves of H. orienta appear to have been less mineralized as compared to Mickwitzia monilifera, and the two species differ in diameter and density of tubules and pustules, and in terms of slightly less projected profile of ventral valve with lower umbo posteromedially placed. Although Heliomedusa clearly is closely related to Mickwitzia, their different preservational modes (compacted poorly mineralized/noncompacted mineralized) make detailed comparison difficult; they are provisionally kept as separate genera pending further studies of better-preserved Chinese material.