Spatial modelling of multinomial data with latent structure: an application to geographical mapping of human gene and haplotype frequencies

We develop hierarchical models for spatial multinomial data with missing categories, to analyse a database of HLA-A and -B gene and haplotype frequencies from Papua New Guinea, with a highly variable number of samples per spatial unit. The spatial structure of the multinomial data is incorporated by adopting conditional autoregressive (CAR) priors for the random effects, reflecting extra-multinomial variation. Different spatial structures are investigated, and covariate effects are evaluated using a novel model selection criterion. Tables and maps reveal strong spatial association and the importance of altitude, a covariate anticipated to be significant in explaining genetic variation. Our approach can be used in identifying associations with environmental factors, linguistic or epidemiological patterns and hence potential causes of genetic diversity (population movements, natural selection, stochastic effects).     

AAV载体介导的蓬佩病模型小鼠体内基因治疗研究*

Objective: Pompe disease is a lysosomal glycogen storage disease caused by acid α-glucosidase (GAA) deficiency, which is characterized by glycogen accumulation in the heart, skeletal muscle, and central nervous system (CNS). AAV vector-mediated gene therapy is expected to be a breakthrough in the treatment of Pompe disease. In this study, AAV9 vector was used to mediate GAA gene transfer in Pompe disease model mice, and the changes of GAA protease activity, glycogen accumulation in tissues and pathological changes in mice after transgenic intervention were evaluated. Methods: Codon optimized GAA gene (coGAA) was carried by AAV9 vector, and the AAV vector was packaged by baculovirus production process. Adult Pompe model mice were given a single intravenous injection at the dose of 1.1×10¹³, 3.0×10¹³, 1.2×10¹⁴ vg/kg, and aged Pompe model mice were given a single intravenous injection at the dose of 3.0×10¹³ vg/kg. After reaching the end point of the experiment, the mice were euthanized, GAA protease activity was determined by fluorescence spectrophotometry, glycogen accumulation was observed by PAS staining, and pathological changes were detected by HE staining. Results: Five weeks after administration, GAA protein was widely expressed in all tissues of adult model mice, with higher expression levels in heart and liver, and lower expression levels in brain and spinal cord. After rAAV9-coGAA treatment, glycogen content in myocardium, skeletal muscle and brain decreased, and vacuolar degeneration in myocardium and skeletal muscle decreased significantly. After treatment, the tissue enzyme activity of the aged animals was significantly increased compared with that of the model mice. The vacuolar degeneration and inflammatory cell infiltration of the myocardium were decreased, but the pathological improvement of skeletal muscle was limited. Conclusion: A single intravenous injection of rAAV9-coGAA can enhance GAA enzyme activity, reduce glycogen accumulation and improve pathology in Pompe model mice. The therapeutic effect was dose-dependent, and the injection also had certain therapeutic effect on aged animals. This study laid a theoretical foundation for the clinical application of AAV9 mediated gene therapy via intravenous route in Pompe disease.     

Nonlinear interactions of land carbon cycle feedbacks in Earth System Models

Carbon cycle feedbacks were often quantified through the carbon–concentration and carbon–climate feedbacks with the assumption of no significant interaction between the two feedbacks in most previous studies. Here we calculated the strength of the interactions between the two responses using simulations of models participated in the phase 6 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6). We found that the nonlinear interaction contributed 11% of the land–atmosphere carbon exchange on average with large intermodel variation (from ?20% to +162%). This nonlinear interaction is largely driven by the pattern of net primary production (NPP), with shifts in heterotrophic respiration that dampen the overall positive interactions from NPP. Photosynthetic rate per unit leaf area alone cannot adequately explain a wide variation of interactions in global NPP simulated by CMIP6 models. Plant respiration and processes that regulate leaf area are also important contributors to the interactions. Dominant factors that induce carbon–concentration and carbon–climate interactions are highly variable among models. One of those dominant factors is nutrient limitation. Using additional simulations of ACCESS-ESM1.5 that include both nitrogen and phosphorus limitation, we found that the estimated interactions by ACCESS-ESM1.5 with or without nutrient limitations covered the large intermodel variations among the CMIP6 models. It remains largely unknown how nutrient limitation complicates ecosystem's responses to simultaneously CO₂ fertilization and warming at the global scale. Our modeling results point to a potential important role of nutrients, especially phosphorus on the nonlinear interactions. Yet, more studies are needed on ecosystem responses to concurrent changes in nutrient availability, atmospheric CO₂ concentration, and warming.     

鼠巨细胞病毒感染裸鼠肝脏损伤模型的建立

摘要 目的：建立鼠巨细胞病毒（MCMV）感染BALB/c裸鼠肝脏损伤的模型。方法：健康SPF级BALB/c裸鼠10只随机分为实验组和对照组,每组5只。实验组小鼠每只经腹腔注射接种250 μL MCMV 病毒悬液,对照组小鼠每只腹腔接种250 μL DMEM 培养液,于接种后第7天处死,无菌分离其肝脏,通过测定肝组织谷丙转氨酶（ALT）、实时荧光定量PCR检测MCMV DNA拷贝数、苏木精-伊红（HE）染色等方法,观察裸鼠肝脏组织的受损情况。结果：所有实验组的裸鼠均出现了不同程度的腹水;实验组裸鼠测定的肝组织ALT值较对照组明显上升（P<0.05）;实时荧光定量PCR检测出实验组裸鼠肝脏MCMV DNA呈阳性;实验组肝脏病理切片HE染色可见大量炎症细胞浸润,肝细胞嗜酸性变,可见不规则包涵体,而对照组正常。结论：经腹腔注射250 μL MCMV病毒悬液7天后成功构建了裸鼠肝脏损伤的模型,为探究人巨细胞病毒（HCMV）的发病机制以及抗病毒新药和疫苗的研发提供了有利条件。     

类别学习的双系统模型

概念和类别学习是认知心理学研究的核心问题之一,以往的理论主要基于类别学习的单系统理论假设,而近十多年来概念和类别的研究关注类别学习的双重系统问题。目前双系统模型不仅得到了行为学实验的支持,更重要的是得到了临床神经心理和认知神经研究的广泛支持,本文回顾了双系统模型的非行为学研究证据,并指出了今后概念和类别研究应该注意的问题。     

Activation kinetics of single P2X receptors

After the primary structure of P2X receptors had been identified, their function had to be characterized on the molecular level. Since these ligand-gated ion channels become activated very quickly after binding of ATP, methods with adequate time resolution have to be applied to investigate the early events induced by the agonist. Single-channel recordings were performed to describe conformational changes on P2X₂, P2X₄, and P2X₇ receptors induced by ATP and also by allosteric receptor modifiers. The main results of these studies and the models of P2X receptor kinetics derived from these observations are reviewed here. The investigation of purinoceptors by means of the patch clamp technique following site-directed mutagenesis will probably reveal more details of P2X receptor function at the molecular level.     

Establishment of X-linked Alport syndrome model mice with a Col4a5 R471X mutation

Alport syndrome (AS) is an inherited disorder characterized by glomerular basement membrane (GBM) abnormality and development of chronic kidney disease at an early age. The cause of AS is a genetic mutation in type IV collagen, and more than 80% of patients have X-linked AS (XLAS) with mutation in COL4A5. Although the causal gene has been identified, mechanisms of progression have not been elucidated, and no effective treatment has been developed. In this study, we generated a Col4a5 mutant mouse harboring a nonsense mutation (R471X) obtained from a patient with XLAS using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated system. Col4a5 mRNA and protein expressions were not observed in the kidneys of hemizygous R471X male mice. R471X mice showed proteinuria and hematuria. Pathology revealed progression of glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis by age. Electron microscopy identified irregular thickening in GBM accompanied by irregular lamination. These observations were consistent with the clinical and pathological features of patients with AS and other established models. In addition, our mice models develop end-stage renal disease at the median age of 28 weeks, much later compared to previous models much more consistent with clinical course of human XLAS. Our models have advantages for future experiments in regard with treatment for human XLAS.     

Mitochondrial diseases: Drosophila melanogaster as a model to evaluate potential therapeutics

While often presented as a single entity, mitochondrial diseases comprise a wide range of clinical, biochemical and genetic heterogeneous disorders. Among them, defects in the process of oxidative phosphorylation are the most prevalent. Despite intense research efforts, patients are still without effective treatment. An important part of the development of new therapeutics relies on predictive models of the pathology in order to assess their therapeutic potential. Since mitochondrial diseases are a heterogeneous group of progressive multisystemic disorders that can affect any organ at any time, the development of various in vivo models for the different diseases-associated genes defects will accelerate the search for effective therapeutics. Here, we review existing Drosophila melanogaster models for mitochondrial diseases, with a focus on alterations in oxidative phosphorylation, and discuss the potential of this powerful model organism in the process of drug target discovery.This article is part of a Directed Issue entitled: Energy Metabolism Disorders and Therapies.