蓝光影响新蚜虫疠霉分生孢子弹射潜力的室内评估

新蚜虫疠霉Pandora neoaphidis是虫霉菌亚门Entomophthoromycotina虫霉目Entomophthorales的代表菌,是世界上流行最广的蚜科专化性病原真菌。其主动弹射分生孢子的能力是引发高强度流行病控制蚜虫种群的关键原因。本研究以新蚜虫疠霉菌丝制备的弹孢胶囊（模拟感病蚜尸）为研究对象,在室内对其在蓝光照射和黑暗条件下的产孢量和分生孢子弹射距离进行了测量;同时利用高速显微摄像技术对弹孢胶囊的分生孢子弹射进行了拍摄观察和软件视频分析,利用MATLAB软件分析图像视频并进行了模型构建。结果表明：新蚜虫疠霉菌丝胶囊经蓝光照射处理后弹射出来的分生孢子数量和孢子弹射速度均显著高于黑暗条件下的处理（P<0.05）;分析高速显微拍摄视频计算所得的孢子弹射初始速度从114mm/s到2.07m/s不等,速度在弹射后期会受到空气阻力的影响而急速下降;采用Stokes模型进行预测的结果显示其分生孢子的弹射路径与实际路径拟合度较高（R²=0.8941）。综上,本研究结果为深入理解新蚜虫疠霉弹射相关的流行扩散模型和生物学适态机制提供了基础数据。     

交互保护对干酪乳杆菌ATCC 393~(TM)存活的影响

【目的】以干酪乳杆菌典型株ATCC 393TM(Lactobacillus casei ATCC 393TM)为实验菌株,研究其在多重胁迫环境下的交互保护应答机制。【方法】比较不同亚适应条件(热、H2O2、酸、胆盐)处理后菌体细胞在热致死条件(60℃)及氧致死条件H2O2(5mmol/L)下的存活率变化,并集中考察了最佳亚适应条件-酸适应的不同处理方式对细胞交互保护存活率、胞内pH以及脂肪酸含量的影响。【结果】交互保护对干酪乳杆菌ATCC393生理活性的影响因亚适应及致死条件而异:酸胁迫预适应能够显著提高细胞的交互胁迫抗性,其中,盐酸预适应的交互保护效果优于乳酸,其预适应引发的生理应答效应使细胞在应对热致死和氧致死胁迫时存活率分别提高了305倍和173倍;进一步的研究表明,酸预适应提高细胞存活率的作用机制可能与其能够显著改善胁迫环境下的胞内pH和细胞膜脂肪酸不饱和度相关。【结论】盐酸预适应对干酪乳杆菌典型株ATCC393的交互保护作用最为显著,并能够维持胁迫条件下细胞生理状态的相对稳定,本研究将有助于进一步解析干酪乳杆菌在对抗不同胁迫环境的过程中生理应答机制间的相互作用关系。     

荧光偏振技术研究Bloom解旋酶催化核心与双链DNA的相互作用

Bloom 综合症(BLM)解旋酶是RecQ家族DNA解旋酶中的一个重要成员,参与了DNA复制、修复、转录、重组以及端粒的维持等细胞代谢过程,在维持染色体的稳定性中具有重要的作用．BLM解旋酶的突变可导致Bloom综合症,患者遗传不稳定易患多种类型癌症．本研究运用荧光偏振技术研究BLM解旋酶催化核心(BLM^642～1290)与双链DNA(dsDNA)的相互作用,分析其相关特征参数,了解BLM^642～1290解旋酶与dsDNA的结合和解链特性．结果表明：BLM^642～1290解旋酶与dsDNA的结合和解链与dsDNA 3′端的单链DNA(ssDNA)长度有关;解旋酶优先结合于dsDNA底物的ssDNA末端,且每分子解旋酶可结合9.6 nt的ssDNA;dsDNA 3′端ssDNA的长度为9.6 nt时,解旋酶的解链效率达到最大且不再随其长度而变化．另外,BLM^642～1290解旋酶也能够结合和解链钝末端dsDNA,但其结合亲和力和解链效率低于有3′端ssDNA的dsDNA．推测BLM^642～1290解旋酶在与dsDNA底物结合和解链时是单体形式,可能以尺蠖的形式解开dsDNA．这些结果可为进一步研究BLM解旋酶的功能特征提供理论基础．     

Assembly of the dorsal horn somatotopic map

We hypothesize: (a) peripheral innervation densities determine map scales in dorsal horn, (b) dorsal horn cell (DHC) receptive field (RF) geometries are determined by map scales, and (c) morphologies of primary afferents (PAs) and DHCs reflect their developmental history. We suggest the following sequence: (A) PAs project in a somatotopic mediolateral sequence. (B) DHCs assemble prototype RFs by sampling presynaptic neuropil with their dendrites. (C) PAs then project to all levels where their RFs are contained within prototype RFs of DHCs. (D) A competitive mechanism produces the adult form of DHC RFs. (E) Adult distributions of PA terminals and DHC dendrites reflect this developmental history. (F) Mediolateral somatotopic gradients are determined by RF densities of axons entering at the same levels. (G) Map scales at different rostrocaudal levels are determined by somatotopic gradients. (H) Geometries of DHC RFs are determined by constant convergence and divergence of monosynaptic connections. (I) Secondary processes further modify geometries of DHC RFs. (J) Residual self-organizing capacity supports maintenance and plastic mechanisms. We adduce the following evidence: (1) agreement between monosynaptically coupled inputs and cells' excitatory low threshold mechanoreceptive fields; (2) the temporal sequence of events during penetration of the gray matter by PAs; (3) variation of PA terminal and DHC dendritic domains as a function of map scale; (4) somatotopic gradients and geometries of DHC RFs in adult dorsal horn; (5) calculations of peripheral innervation densities and dorsal horn map scales; and (6) constant divergence and convergence between PAs and DHCs.     

Spatial summation of perceived pressure,sharpness and mechanically evoked cutaneous pain

Psychophysically, spatial summation can be demonstrated as a decrease in threshold accompanying an increased field of stimulation. The present study examined to what extent different mechanically evoked percepts (pressure, sharpness, and pain) show spatial summation. Various probes were used to apply prescribed forces to the dorsal surface of the digits of 19 healthy subjects. The threshold for three perceptual qualities showed differing degrees of spatial summation: sharpness showed no statistically significant spatial summation; pain demonstrated some significant summation (46% on average); pressure showed the greatest degree of spatial summation (76% on average). The lack of significant spatial summation for sharpness threshold is consistent with the theory that perceived sharpness can be evoked by near threshold activity of a single nociceptor. The modest amount of spatial summation for pain implies that distinctly suprathreshold activation of nociceptors is required for mechanically evoked pain perception, and such input summates centrally, but not completely. The greater spatial summation observed for pressure vs. pain thresholds implies a greater degree of central summation for slowly adapting mechanoreceptors vs. nociceptors.     

The in-line measurement of plant cell biomass using radio frequency impedance spectroscopy as a component of process analytical technology

Radio frequency impedance spectroscopy (RFIS) is a robust method for the determination of cell biomass during fermentation. RFIS allows non-invasive in-line monitoring of the passive electrical properties of cells in suspension and can distinguish between living and dead cells based on their distinct behavior in an applied radio frequency field. We used continuous in situ RFIS to monitor batch-cultivated plant suspension cell cultures in stirred-tank bioreactors and compared the in-line data to conventional off-line measurements. RFIS-based analysis was more rapid and more accurate than conventional biomass determination, and was sensitive to changes in cell viability. The higher resolution of the in-line measurement revealed subtle changes in cell growth which were not accessible using conventional methods. Thus, RFIS is well suited for correlating such changes with intracellular states and product accumulation, providing unique opportunities for employing systems biotechnology and process analytical technology approaches to increase product yield and quality.     

Preparation and Characterization of a Monoclonal Antibody to Prunus necrotic ringspot virus

A cell line named PVRSV1D11 secreting monoclonal antibody (McAb) against the prokaryotically expressed coat protein (CP) of Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV) was developed using hybridoma technology including animal immunization, cell fusion, cell line culture and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)‐based for screening. The specificity, titre and detection sensitivity of the McAb were determined by indirect ELISA to establish optimal conditions. The antibody reacted strongly with PNRSV and showed no cross‐reactions with the proteins of Plum pox virus, Prunus dwarf virus, Apple stem pitting virus, Apple stem grooving virus, Apple mosaic virus or Apple chlorotic leafspot virus. The ascites developed with PNRSV1D11 cell line showed high absorbance until it was diluted to over 6.6 × 10⁷ fold. The McAb belonged to IgG_2a isotype and was diluted by 1.28 × 10⁵ folds as an optimal detection concentration. The detection sensitivity of the monoclonal antibody was 11.7 ng/ml protein of PNRSV. The results indicated that the McAb against the CP of PNRSV is suitable for PNRSV detection in the plants and for monitoring the dynamics of the virus by using indirect ELISA.     

Phage display-based generation of novel internalizing antibody fragments for immunotoxin-based treatment of acute myeloid leukemia

The current standard treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is chemotherapy based on cytarabine and daunorubicine (7 + 3), but it discriminates poorly between malignant and benign cells. Dose-limiting off?target effects and intrinsic drug resistance result in the inefficient eradication of leukemic blast cells and their survival beyond remission. This minimal residual disease is the major cause of relapse and is responsible for a 5-year survival rate of only 24%. More specific and efficient approaches are therefore required to eradicate malignant cells while leaving healthy cells unaffected. In this study, we generated scFv antibodies that bind specifically to the surface of AML blast cells and AML bone marrow biopsy specimens. We isolated the antibodies by phage display, using subtractive whole-cell panning with AML M2?derived Kasumi?1 cells. By selecting for internalizing scFv antibody fragments, we focused on potentially novel agents for intracellular drug delivery and tumor modulation. Two independent methods showed that 4 binders were internalized by Kasumi-1 cells. Furthermore, we observed the AML?selective inhibition of cell proliferation and the induction of apoptosis by a recombinant immunotoxin comprising one scFv fused to a truncated form of Pseudomonas exotoxin A (ETA'). This method may therefore be useful for the selection of novel disease-specific internalizing antibody fragments, providing a novel immunotherapeutic strategy for the treatment of AML patients.     

When Work Calls—Associations Between Being Contacted Outside of Regular Working Hours for Work-Related Matters and Health

Boundaries between work and private life are diminishing, but little is known on how this influences worker health. Therefore, we examined the association between work-related contacts outside of regular working hours by e-mail or phone and self-reported health in a representative sample of European employees (n?=?23 760). The risk of reporting ≥1 health problem(s) was increased in workers contacted sometimes (odds ratio [OR]: 1.16, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06–1.27) or often (OR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.12–1.34) as compared with never, controlling for several demographic and workplace characteristics. Further research is needed to quantify work and nonwork patterns and their health effects.