The Human Obesity Gene Map: The 1996 Update

An update of the human obesity gene map up to October 1996 is presented. Evidence from Mendelian disorders exhibiting obesity as a clinical feature, single-gene mutation rodent models, quantitative trait loci uncovered in crossbreeding experiments with mouse, rat, and pig models, association and case-control studies with candidate genes, and linkage studies with genes and other markers is reviewed. All chromosomal locations of the animal loci are converted into human genome locations based on syntenic relationships between the genomes. A complete listing of all these loci reveals that only 4 of the 24 human chromosomes are not yet represented, i.e., 9, 18, 21, and Y. Several chromosome arms are characterized by the presence of several putative loci. The following arms include at least three such loci: 1p, 1q, 3p, 4q, 6p, 7q, 8p, 8q, 11p, 11q, 15q, 20q, and Xq. Studies with negative association and linkage results are also reviewed.     

Brief overview of control of genetic expression by antisense oligonucleotides and in vivo applications

Over the past several years, the use of synthetic oligonucleotides and functional analogs thereof as a possibly general means of controlling genetic expression has received widespread attention. Following a brief overview of some of the basic principles and strategies for this approach, attention is focused here on summarizing some recent reports of in vitro and, in particular, in vivo investigations in various animal models using phosphorothioate analogs of 2′-deoxyoligo-nucleotides. In view of these findings, which include studies related to neurobiology, this field should find significant utility in applications of the antisense method for controlling genetic expression.     

Bioprocessing in space: Human cells attach to beads in microgravity

Attachment to a substrate and survival of human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells have been tested in an incubator installed in the flight-deck of the Space Shuttle ‘Challenger’ during its eighth mission.HEK cells are producing the enzyme urokinase and are presently investigated as candidates for electrophoretic separation in an apparatus developed and manufactured by McDonnell Douglas.Attachment of HEK cells to a substrate is mandatory for survival and production of urokinase after electrophoretic separation.Analysis of the samples shows that cells adhere, spread and survive in microgravity (< 10⁻³ ×g) conditions as well as the ground controls at 1 × g. This result represents an important step towards further bioprocessing in space.     

阿胶,新阿胶,黄明胶,马皮胶,杂皮胶的质量对比研究：Ⅰ.氨基酸分析

本文用835-50型氨基酸自动分析仪测定了阿胶、新阿胶、黄明胶、马皮胶和杂皮胶中游离氨基酸和总氨基酸的含量,并计算出游离氨基酸、总氨基酸按侧链基团分类和按医药用途分类的相对含量。结果表明,各种氨基酸含量一般以驴皮胶为较高,但与其他几种胶比较并无显著差异,似可以猪皮马皮、牛皮代替驴皮。这也说明,单从氨基酸的含量来鉴别胶的种类和质量似乎不可行。     

Dynamics of distribution in animal communities: Theory and analysis

Theoretical and analytical problems of the dynamics of distribution and abundance in animal communities were examined. In many communities, species with low abundance and of limited spatial occurrence (i.e., rare species) typically form a conspicuous peak when a frequency distribution of the number of species is constructed with respect to the proportion of sites occupied within an area of distribution. Models of distribution dynamics, including a new model proposed here, were compared with a range of animal community data using a new procedure to assess single- and bi-modal patterns in frequency distributions of spatial occurrence. Data reveal that single-modality with an excess of rare species occurs more frequently than bimodality. Even when bimodality is detected, the mode representing wide-spread species is in the majority of cases smaller than that for rare species. Thus, a new model in which the rate of local extinctions is assumed to be negatively related to patch occupancy (or population abundance) is in better agreement with observed data than earlier models. Some problems of analysis, in particular model assumptions and testing, are discussed.     

The mass culture of Dunaliella viridis (Volvocales,Chlorophyta) for oxygenated carotenoids : laboratory and pilot plant studies

The biology, and hence the mass culture, of Dunaliella viridis closely follows that of Dunaliella salina, which is successfully mass cultured for the production of -carotene. Both algae can grow at extremely high salinities and light intensities. They co-exist in the coastal salt lake, Hutt Lagoon, Western Australia. In contrast to D. salina, D. viridis does not accumulate large amounts of -carotene, producing only up to 0.7% of mixed carotenoids (lutein, zeaxathin, other oxygenated carotenoids and -carotene), compared to D. salina's ca 10% dry wt of mainly -carotene. However, in laboratory experiments, D. viridisgrew much faster and to much higher cell densities than D. salina, and attained levels of mixed carotenoids similar to those of D. salina (ca 13 mg L^–1 carotenoid). Preliminary experiments in outdoor ponds were much less promising. Harvesting by chemical flocculation was as effective as with D. salina, but extraction of carotenoids directly into vegetable oil proved inefficient. When incorporated into feed, caretonoids derived from D. viridis pigmented hen eggs acceptably. Extrapolating from laboratory results, and using costing derived from D. salina technology, the cost of production of mixed oxygenated carotenoids from D. viridis was similar to that for the production of -carotene from D. salina, at ca $A500 kg^–1.     

Spectral imaging for precise surgical intervention in Hirschsprung's Disease

We used advanced spectral imaging for intrasurgical decision making in a preclinical study, on a mouse model of Hirschsprung's Disease. Our imaging device sampled areas from normal and abnormal (aganglionic) colon in these animals. Spectral segmentation and classification of the resulting images showed a clear distinction between the normal and aganglionic regions, as confirmed by pathological analysis and use of mutant mice. We developed a simple algorithm that could distinguish normal from aganglionic colon with high spatial resolution and reproducibility, and the following statistics: sensitivity = 97%, specificity = 94%, positive predictive value = 92%, negative predictive value = 98%. These studies showed translational proof of concept that spectral imaging could be used during operations, in real time, to help surgeons precisely distinguish normal from abnormal tissue without requiring traditional biopsy. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)