Functions of beta2-adrenergic receptor in human periodontal ligament cells

Adrenergic receptors (ARs) are receptors of noradrenalin and adrenalin, of which there are nine different subtypes. In particular, β2 adrenergic receptor (β2-AR) is known to be related to the restoration and maintenance of homeostasis in bone and cardiac tissues; however, the functional role of signaling through β2-AR in periodontal ligament (PDL) tissue has not been fully examined. In this report, we investigated that β2-AR expression in PDL tissues and their features in PDL cells. β2-AR expressed in rat PDL tissues and human PDL cells (HPDLCs) derived from two different patients (HPDLCs-2G and -3S). Rat PDL tissue with occlusal loading showed high β2-AR expression, while its expression was downregulated in that without loading. In HPDLCs, β2-AR expression was increased exposed to stretch loading. The gene expression of PDL-related molecules was investigated in PDL clone cells (2-23 cells) overexpressing β2-AR. Their gene expression and intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels were also investigated in HPDLCs treated with a specific β2-AR agonist, fenoterol (FEN). Overexpression of β2-AR significantly promoted the gene expression of PDL-related molecules in 2 to 23 cells. FEN led to an upregulation in the expression of PDL-related molecules and increased intracellular cAMP levels in HPDLCs. In both HPDLCs, inhibition of cAMP signaling by using protein kinase A inhibitor suppressed the FEN-induced gene expression of α-smooth muscle actin. Our findings suggest that the occlusal force is important for β2-AR expression in PDL tissue and β2-AR is involved in fibroblastic differentiation and collagen synthesis of PDL cells. The signaling through β2-AR might be important for restoration and homeostasis of PDL tissue.     

Evolution under pH stress and high population densities leads to increased density-dependent fitness in the protist Tetrahymena thermophila

Abiotic stress is a major force of selection that organisms are constantly facing. While the evolutionary effects of various stressors have been broadly studied, it is only more recently that the relevance of interactions between evolution and underlying ecological conditions, that is, eco-evolutionary feedbacks, have been highlighted. Here, we experimentally investigated how populations adapt to pH-stress under high population densities. Using the protist species Tetrahymena thermophila, we studied how four different genotypes evolved in response to stressfully low pH conditions and high population densities. We found that genotypes underwent evolutionary changes, some shifting up and others shifting down their intrinsic rates of increase (r₀). Overall, evolution at low pH led to the convergence of r₀ and intraspecific competitive ability (α) across the four genotypes. Given the strong correlation between r₀ and α, we argue that this convergence was a consequence of selection for increased density-dependent fitness at low pH under the experienced high density conditions. Increased density-dependent fitness was either attained through increase in r₀, or decrease of α, depending on the genetic background. In conclusion, we show that demography can influence the direction of evolution under abiotic stress.     

中国淡水鱼类人工增殖放流现状

随着鱼类资源的持续衰退以及保护水产学的兴起,鱼类人工增殖放流已由传统渔业增殖发展成为特有珍稀鱼类种群恢复的主要技术手段。近年来,我国淡水鱼类人工增殖放流涉及水系多、规模大且种类丰富,取得了显著效果并积累了大量基础资料和经验。为深入开展人工增殖放流基础研究,规范技术并提升生态效益,该文收集整理了国内、外相关文献资料,分别从基础理论、塘养种群管理及效果评价等方面阐述人工增殖放流的理论背景,并结合我国"四大家鱼"、中华鲟、胭脂鱼、滇池金线鲃及其他珍稀濒危鱼类人工增殖放流现状,讨论了野外监测和效果评价的作用和意义,提出放流种群遗传局限性、数量和规格权衡以及经济效益与生态效益权衡等问题,旨在为相关研究和人工放流实践提供系统资料。     

Artificial insemination in dromedary camels

Artificial insemination (AI) is an important technique in all domestic species to ensure rapid genetic progress. The use of AI has been reported in camelids although insemination trials are rare. This could be because of the difficulties involved in collecting as well as handling the semen due to the gelatinous nature of the seminal plasma. In addition, as all camelids are induced ovulators, the females need to be induced to ovulate before being inseminated.     

THE +1245G/T POLYMORPHISMS IN THE COLLAGEN TYPE I ALPHA 1 (COL1A1) GENE IN POLISH SKIERS WITH ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT INJURY

Objectives

The aim of this study was to examine the association of +1245G/T polymorphisms in the COL1A1 gene with ACL ruptures in Polish male recreational skiers in a case-control study.

Methods

A total of 138 male recreational skiers with surgically diagnosed primary ACL ruptures, all of whom qualified for ligament reconstruction, were recruited for this study. The control group comprised 183 apparently healthy male skiers with a comparable level of exposure to ACL injury, none of whom had any self-reported history of ligament or tendon injury. DNA samples extracted from the oral epithelial cells were genotyped for the +1245G/T polymorphisms using real-time PCR method.

Results

Genotype distributions among cases and controls conformed to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (p = 0.2469 and p = 0.33, respectively). There was a significant difference in the genotype distribution between skiers and controls (p = 0.045, Fisher''s exact test). There was no statistical difference in allele distribution: OR 1.43 (0.91-2.25), p = 0.101 (two-sided Fisher''s exact test).

Conclusions

The risk of ACL ruptures was around 1.43 times lower in carriers of a minor allele G as compared to carriers of the allele T.     

崇明东滩鸟类栖息地优化区越冬水鸟的栖息地利用及影响因子

阐明水鸟栖息地利用与环境因子的关系有助于制定针对性的水鸟保护对策。本研究在2012~2013年冬季对崇明东滩鸟类栖息地优化区内越冬水鸟的种类、数量以及6种环境因子(植被面积比例、裸地面积比例、水深、地形变异、栖息地结构多样性和干扰)进行调查,以了解水鸟对人工湿地的栖息地利用及其影响因子。野外调查共记录到水鸟24种9 018只,其中优势种为斑嘴鸭(Anas poecilorhyncha)和绿头鸭(A.platyrhynchos);栖息地优化区内水鸟休息的个体数量占总数量的79.2%,这表明优化区是大多数水鸟的休息地,而小(Tachybaptus ruficollis)、白骨顶(Fulica atra)、黑水鸡(Gallinula chloropus)、白琵鹭(Platalea leucorodia)和黑脸琵鹭(P.minor)的觅食个体数量超过60%,说明优化区也为这些鸟类提供了觅食地。逐步回归分析表明,裸地面积比例是影响越冬水鸟种类分布的最主要因子;尽管游禽在地形变异较大、植被面积比例较低的区域数量较多,但在休息时游禽更偏好于裸地面积比例较高的区域,而涉禽休息时偏好于地形变异较大的区域。为增加栖息地优化区内的水鸟多样性,建议在优化区内种植水鸟可食的沉水植物以增加水鸟的食物资源,同时增加裸地面积比例和地形变异程度,更好地为水鸟提供栖息地。     

Cryopreservation induces macrophage colony stimulating factor from human periodontal ligament cells in vitro

Cryopreservation is used to protect vital periodontal ligaments during the transplantation of teeth. We investigated which gene products implicated in root resorption are upregulated in human periodontal ligament cells by cryopreservation, and whether cryopreservation affects the expression of macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) in human periodontal ligament cells. We used customized microarrays to compare gene expression in human periodontal ligament cells cultured from teeth immediately after extraction and from cryopreserved teeth. Based on the result of these assays, we examined M-CSF expression in periodontal ligament cells from the immediately extracted tooth and cryopreserved teeth by real-time PCR, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western blot analysis, and immunofluorescence. We also investigated whether human bone marrow cells differentiate into tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) positive osteoclasts when stimulated with RANKL (Receptor Activator for Nuclear Factor κ B Ligand) together with any secreted M-CSF present in the supernatants of the periodontal ligament cells cultured from the various groups of teeth. M-CSF was twofold higher in the periodontal ligament cells from the rapid freezing teeth than in those from the immediately extracted group (p < 0.05). Cryopreservation increased M-CSF expression in the periodontal ligament cells when analyzed by real time PCR, ELISA, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence (p < 0.05). TRAP positive osteoclasts were formed in response to RANKL and the secreted M-CSF present in the supernatants of all the experimental groups except negative control. These results demonstrate that cryopreservation promotes the production of M-CSF, which plays an important role in root resorption by periodontal ligament cells.     

Proteomic differences between native and tissue‐engineered tendon and ligament

Tendons and ligaments (T/Ls) play key roles in the musculoskeletal system, but they are susceptible to traumatic or age‐related rupture, leading to severe morbidity as well as increased susceptibility to degenerative joint diseases such as osteoarthritis. Tissue engineering represents an attractive therapeutic approach to treating T/L injury but it is hampered by our poor understanding of the defining characteristics of the two tissues. The present study aimed to determine differences in the proteomic profile between native T/Ls and tissue engineered (TE) T/L constructs. The canine long digital extensor tendon and anterior cruciate ligament were analyzed along with 3D TE fibrin‐based constructs created from their cells. Native tendon and ligament differed in their content of key structural proteins, with the ligament being more abundant in fibrocartilaginous proteins. 3D T/L TE constructs contained less extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and had a greater proportion of cellular‐associated proteins than native tissue, corresponding to their low collagen and high DNA content. Constructs were able to recapitulate native T/L tissue characteristics particularly with regard to ECM proteins. However, 3D T/L TE constructs had similar ECM and cellular protein compositions indicating that cell source may not be an important factor for T/L tissue engineering.