A Susceptible-infected Epidemic Model with Voluntary Vaccinations

An susceptible-infected epidemic model with endogenous behavioral changes is presented to analyze the impact of a prophylactic vaccine on disease prevalence. It is shown that, with voluntary vaccination, whether an endemic equilibrium exists or not does not depend on vaccine efficacy or the distribution of agent-types. Although an endemic equilibrium is unique in the absence of a vaccine, the availability of a vaccine can lead to multiple endemic equilibria that differ in disease prevalence and vaccine coverage. Depending on the distribution of agent-types, the introduction of a vaccine or, if one is available, a subsidy for vaccination can increase disease prevalence by inducing more risky behavior.I would like to thank one of the editors of the journal, Alan Hastings, for his comments and suggestions.     

一类具有稀疏效应的生态系统的极限环

研究如下一类具有稀疏效应的生态系统模型应用微分方程定性理论,得到了该系统极限环的存在性、唯一性及存在性的参数范围．     

Common variants of xeroderma pigmentosum genes and prostate cancer risk

The genetic basis of prostate cancer (PC) is complex and appears to involve multiple susceptibility genes. A number of studies have evaluated a possible correlation between several NER gene polymorphisms and PC risk, but most of them evaluated only single SNPs among XP genes and the results remain inconsistent. Out of 94 SNPs located in seven XP genes (XPA–XPG) a total of 15 SNPs were assayed in 720 unselected patients with PC and compared to 1121 healthy adults. An increased risk of disease was associated with the XPD SNP, rs1799793 (Asp312Asn) AG genotype (OR = 2.60; p < 0.001) and with the AA genotype (OR = 531; p < 0.0001) compared to the control population. Haplotype analysis of XPD revealed one protective haplotype and four associated with an increased disease risk, which showed that the A allele (XPD rs1799793) appeared to drive the main effect on promoting prostate cancer risk. Polymorphism in XPD gene appears to be associated with the risk of prostate cancer.     

Association study between of Tie2/Angiopoietin-2 and VEGF/KDR pathway gene polymorphisms and vascular malformations

Vascular malformations (VMs) are common congenital and neonatal dysmorphogenesis. VMs mostly occur sporadically with a few exceptions of inheritability. Tie2/angiopoietins-2 (Ang-2) and VEGF/KDR pathways are known to be involved in normal and pathogenic angiogenesis. Our study was aimed to test the contribution of these pathway gene variants to VMs. A total of 8 variants were found among 103 VM patients and 142 healthy controls. These variants comprised rs638203, rs639225, rs80338908 and rs80338909 in Tie2 gene, rs1870377 and rs2305949 in KDR gene, rs79337921 and rs34590960 in ANTXR1 gene. Our results indicated that rs638203 (p = 0.029) and rs639225 (p = 0.018) in Tie2 gene were associated with VM. A further bioinformatics analysis suggested the rs638203-G and rs639225-G might cause an abnormal splicing of Tie2 gene into to a defective protein. Our results identified two novel Tie2 gene polymorphisms with genetic susceptibility to VMs, although future functional validation of the two polymorphisms is warranted in the future.     

Association of glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms (GSTM1 and GSTT1) with primary open-angle glaucoma: An evidence-based meta-analysis

Studies investigating the associations between glutathione S-transferase (GST) genetic polymorphisms and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) have reported controversial results. Therefore, a meta-analysis was performed to clarify the effects of GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms on POAG risk. Published literatures from PubMed, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science and CBM databases were retrieved. All studies evaluating the association between GSTM1/GSTT1 polymorphisms and POAG were included. Pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using fixed- or random-effects model. Eleven studies on GSTM1 (1339 cases and 1412 controls) and seven studies on GSTT1 (958 cases, 1003 controls) were included. Overall analysis showed that the association between GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotype and POAG risk is not statistically significant. Subgroup analyses showed that the null genotype of GSTM1 increased the risk of POAG in Asians. In GSTM1–GSTT1 interaction analysis, individuals with dual null genotype were associated with a significantly increased risk of POAG when compared with the dual present genotype. In conclusion, the present meta-analysis suggested that GSTM1 null genotypes are associated with increased POAG risk in Asian populations but not in Caucasian and mixed populations. Dual null genotype of GSTM1/GSTT1 is associated with increased risk of POAG. Given the limited sample size, the finding on GST polymorphisms needs further investigation.     

In vitro chiral nematic ordering of chitin crystallites

Microfibrillar fragments of purified crab and shrimp chitin were prepared by hydrolysis in 3 HCl at its boiling point (104°C). After removal of the acid by centrifugal washing and dialysis, an ultrasound treatment converts the residual product to a colloidal suspension stabilized by NH₃⁺ charges. When dewatered to a critical concentration, spontaneous formation of a two-phase equilibrium system occurs. The upper phase (lower concentration) is isotropic and the lower phase is anisotropic. The latter displays chiral nematic order and dries to a solid film which mimics the helicoid organization characteristic of the chitin microfibrils in the cuticle of arthropods.     

黄土丘陵区旱地作物水分生态适应性系统评价

根据调查资料和田间试验结果,系统地分析了旱地不同作物生长发育与降水分布的时序关系、旱地作物水分潜在利用率和旱地主要作物水分供需平衡与错位特征,并利用水分生态适应性数学模型,对宁南黄土丘陵区主要作物的水分生态适应性进行了定量评价．结果表明,秋熟作物生长发育与降水分布耦合性较好,夏熟作物生长发育与降水分布耦合性较差．不同作物的降水潜在利用率存在差异。其基本规律是：多年生牧草>薯类作物>谷类作物;秋熟作物>夏熟作物．作物的水分满足率和生态适应性,秋熟作物优于夏熟作物,丰水年份优于干旱年份．旱地6种主要作物的水分生态适应性指数排序依次为：谷子>马铃薯>糜子>胡麻>豌豆>春小麦．     

潜在木质纤维素能源植物香根草的初步研究

对南京试验地种植的香根草[ Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash]叶片的光合特性和主要矿质元素含量以及株高生长速率进行了测定,并对来源于南京试验地和东台滩涂地的香根草叶片中与纤维特性有关的化学组分的含量及水解产物的含量进行了分析和比较.结果显示:香根草叶片的净光合速率(Pn)对光量子通量密度的响应曲线呈单峰型,Pn最高可达15.3 μmol·m-2·s-1,光饱和点为1 528.6 μmol·m-2·s-1;Pn日变化曲线呈明显的双峰型,峰值分别出现在10:00和15:00.叶片中K、N、Ca、P、Mg和S的含量分别为11.2、7.6、4.3、2.7、2.8和1.5mg·g-1.5月份至10月份是香根草的快速生长期,7月份的株高生长速率最高,达42.1 cm.种植于试验地和滩涂地的香根草叶片中纤维素、半纤维素和木质素的含量分别为326.1和321.7 mg·g-1、380.2和369.5 mg·g-1、147.8和154.0 mg·g-1,产地间差异不显著(P＞0.05);苯-乙醇抽提物和灰分的含量分别为59.5和54.1 mg.g-1、81.7和71.7 mg·g-1,产地间差异显著(P＜0.05).种植于试验地和滩涂地的香根草叶片水解产物中葡萄糖和木糖含量均较高,分别为368.3和359.9 mg·g-1、245.7和204.3 mg·g-1;阿拉伯糖、半乳糖和甘露糖含量较低,三者的总含量仅为58.6和55.8 mg·g-1;其中,仅木糖含量产地间具有显著差异(P＜0.05).研究结果表明:香根草具有很强的光合能力及较快的生长速率,叶片中纤维素和半纤维素含量均较高,能够适应边际性土地种植,是一种潜在的优良木质纤维素能源植物.     

Contribution of genetic and epigenetic mechanisms to Wnt pathway activity in prevalent skeletal disorders

We reported previously that the expression of Wnt-related genes is lower in osteoporotic hip fractures than in osteoarthritis. We aimed to confirm those results by analyzing β-catenin levels and explored potential genetic and epigenetic mechanisms involved.