Drapc1 expression during mouse embryonic development

We identified the mouse homolog of human DRAPC1 (APCDD1) gene, shown to be a target of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway in cancer cell lines. Analysis of its spatiotemporal expression in mouse embryos from E7.5 to E14 showed that Drapc1 is expressed during development of the extraembryonic structures, nervous system, vascular system and inner ear. In addition, Drapc1 is expressed in the mesenchyme of several developing organs at sites of epithelio-mesenchymal interactions. Drapc1 expression was also found in the hair follicles of the adult mouse skin. Similarity of Drapc1 expression pattern to location of active beta-catenin in developing mouse embryo further suggests that mouse Drapc1 is a novel in vivo target gene of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway.     

Localized insertion of new S-layer during growth of Bacillus stearothermophilus strains

Bacillus stearothermophilus strains PV 72 and ATCC 12980 carry a crystalline surface layer (S-layer) with hexagonal (p6) and oblique (p2) symmetry, respectively. Sites of insertions of new subunits into the regular lattice during cell growth have been determined by the indirect fluorescent antibody technique and the protein A/colloidal gold technique.During S-layer growth on both bacillus strains the following common features were noted: 1. shedding of intact S-layer or turnover of individual subunits was not seen; 2. new S-layer was deposited in helically-arranged bands over the cylindrical surface of the cell at a pitch angle related to the orientation of the lattice vectors of the crystalline array; 3. little or no S-layer was inserted into pre-existing S-layer at the poles, and 4. septal regions and, subsequently, newly formed cell poles were covered with new S-layer protein.     

Focused ultrasound stimulation on meibomian glands for the treatment of evaporative dry eye

Current treatments for meibomian gland dysfunction have several limitations, creating a necessity for other advanced treatment options. The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of focused ultrasound stimulation for the treatment of dry eye disease caused by meibomian gland dysfunction. An in vivo study of nine Dutch Belted rabbits was conducted with focused ultrasound stimulation of the meibomian glands. A customized line-focused ultrasonic transducer was designed for treatment. Fluorescein imaging, Schirmer’s test, and Lipiview II ocular interferometer were used to quantify outcomes from three aspects: safety, tear production, and lipid layer thickness. Both tear secretion and lipid layer thickness improved following ultrasound treatment. Five to 10 min after the ultrasound treatment, the mean values of lipid layer thickness increased from 55.33 ± 11.15 nm to 95.67 ± 22.77 nm (p < 0.05), while the mean values measured with the Schirmer’s test increased from 2.0 ± 2.3 to 7.2 ± 4.3 (p < 0.05). Positive effects lasted more than three weeks. Adverse events such as redness, swelling, and mild burn, occurred in two rabbits in preliminary experiments when the eyelids sustained a temperature higher than 42°C. No serious adverse events were found. The results suggest that ultrasound stimulation of meibomian glands can improve both tear production and lipid secretion. Ultimately, ultrasound stimulation has the potential to be an option for the treatment of evaporative dry eye disease caused by meibomian gland dysfunction.     

Dynamic behavior of the ends of growing parallel fibers in early postnatal rat cerebellum

The molecular layer of the cerebellum contains parallel fibers, the axons of granule neurons. We have examined the morphology and behavior of parallel fiber growth cones in the early postnatal rat cerebellum using the fluorescent tracer DiI. Parallel fiber growth cones distributed into three categories based on size and shape: short torpedo-like, long torpedo-like, and lamellopodial in form. The torpedo-like growth cones were modified by the addition of lamellopodia and/or filopodia, and the lamellopodial growth cones were often decorated with a filopodium. These three different growth cone morphologies were found throughout the growing region of the molecular layer. The nascent axons elaborated by premigratory granule neurons differed from the longer axons of more developed neurons in that they often had forked growth cones and extensive lamellopodial decoration along the axon shaft. Growth cones in living slices closely resembled those observed in the fixed preparations. The living growth cones exhibited frequent lamellopodial rearrangement and a side-to-side head-waving movement. The axon proximal to the growth cone was also dynamic. The axons curved and undulated, and mobile swellings formed along the axon shaft. These observations show that the growth cones of parallel fibers are similar to growth cones described for axons in other developing systems in terms of size, morphological characteristics, and dynamic behavior. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Neurobiol 36: 91–104, 1998     

木姜子油细胞发育的超微结构研究

利用超薄切片法和透射电镜研究了木姜子（Litsea pungens Hemsl.）油细胞的发育过程。油细胞3层细胞壁的发育可分为4个阶段,阶段1：油细胞仅有初生纤维素壁层,又可分为原始细胞和细胞 泡化两个时期。此阶段质体具透明小泡和黑色嗜锇物质,并与液泡融合。阶段2：木栓质化壁层的形成,片层状木栓质不断叠加在初生纤维素壁内侧,其细胞结构与前期相似,阶段3：内纤维素壁层的形成,较厚而松散的内纤维素壁层叠加在木栓质化壁层的内侧,在内纤维素壁层中可见黑色嗜锇物质,胞间连丝成为被阻塞的特化结构,此时大液泡被嗜锇油脂充满,成为油囊。阶段4：油细胞成熟及细胞质解体,杯形构造由内纤维素壁层向细胞腔内突起形成,油囊由液泡膜包被连接到杯形构造上,油呈浅灰色嗜锇状态,其细胞质和细胞器解体,变得电子不透明或呈杂乱状态。     

Selection of Lactobacillus acidophilus strains for use in “acidophilus products”

Recent studies by DNA-DNA hybridization revealed that strains now designated as L. acidophilus, can be divided into several groups and only one group should be classified as L. acidophilus. We studied several phenotypic characteristics in representative strains from the six DNA-homology groups of L. acidophilus. No group specific pattern was observed among the strains for fermentation of eight carbohydrates, growth at 15 and 45°C, resistance to 0.2% oxgall, lysis by lysozyme or sensitivity to 17 antibiotics. However, some differences among groups were observed in -galactosidase (-gal) activity and surface layer (s-layer) protein. Strains in B1 do not have a s-layer or -gal while B2 strains also lack a s-layer but do possess -gal. All strains in groups A1, A2, A3 and A4, capable of growing in lactose, have -gal activity and also have a s-layer composed of protein subunits of different molecular weights (MW). Strains in A1 homology group have a s-layer with 46 Kd protein subunits while strains in other A groups have s-layer protein subunits that varied in MW within each group. On the basis of these two traits several isolates of unknown homology groups have been tentatively placed in A1, B1 or B2 groups. L. acidophilus from A1 group showed strain variation in -gal specific activity and rate of acid production and growth. For use in dietary adjuncts, L. acidophilus strains should be selected for these three and other desirable traits. They should be maintained and grown in media containing lactose.     

骨碎补科植物叶表皮特征及其系统学意义

基于骨碎补科(Davalliaceae)植物属的界定和属下等级的划分一直存在较大争议,本研究首次对骨碎补科6属39种(秦仁昌系统)植物的叶表皮进行了扫描电镜观察。结果显示,骨碎补科有9种类型的角质层,其中,阴石蕨属(Humata)的角质层有密集的孔状凹陷结构;Wibelia条纹突起较厚,排列整齐且细密紧致;广义钻毛蕨属(Davallodes)内存在多种角质层类型,需要在属下进一步细分。本研究还根据角质层特征讨论了骨碎补科与一些近缘种类的关系。角质层特征是骨碎补科内种属分类的重要依据,而保卫细胞形状和气孔密度,均不能用来界定骨碎补科的属和种。本研究按角质层分类的结果与Kato和Tsutsumi的分子系统学分类观点一致。     

Drastic Layer‐Number‐Dependent Activity Enhancement in Photocatalytic H2 Evolution over nMoS2/CdS (n ≥ 1) Under Visible Light

Exploiting noble‐metal‐free cocatalysts is of huge interest for photocatalytic water splitting using solar energy. As an efficient cocatalyst in photocatalysis, MoS₂ is shown promise as a low‐cost alternative to Pt for hydrogen evolution. Here we report a systematical study on controlled synthesis of MoS₂ with layer number ranging from ≈1 to 112 and their activities for photocatalytic H₂ evolution over commercial CdS. A drastic increase in photocatalytic H₂ evolution is observed with decreasing MoS₂ layer number. Particularly for the single‐layer (SL) MoS₂, the SL‐MoS₂/CdS sample reaches a high H₂ generation rate of ≈2.01 × 10^?3m h^?1 in Na₂S–Na₂SO₃ solutions and ≈2.59 × 10^?3m h^?1 in lactic acid solutions, corresponding to an apparent quantum efficiency of 30.2% and 38.4% at 420 nm, respectively. In addition to the more exposed edges and unsaturated active S atoms, valence band–XPS and Mott–Schottky plots analysis indicate that the SL MoS₂ has the more negative conduction band energy level than the H⁺/H₂ potential, facilitating the hydrogen reduction.     

黄土塬区不同土地利用方式土壤水分消耗与补给变化特征

对黄土塬区不同土地利用方式下2012年3—10月7龄果园(挂果初期)、17龄果园(盛果期)、小麦地、玉米地土壤水文状况进行分析,结果显示,0—600 cm试验土层7龄果园土壤贮水量最高,其次为玉米地、小麦地,17龄果园最低,且不同土地利用方式下贮水量随着降水量的变化而上下波动,但其变化滞后于降水。不同土地利用方式均表现为随土壤深度增加土壤含水量变异程度减弱的特征,且其土壤剖面的水分含量变化存在季节变异。农田和7龄果园中不存在土壤干燥化现象,而17龄果园土壤剖面存在较厚的干燥化土层,其分布深度为320—600 cm。不同的土地利用方式的土壤水分的消耗和补充深度有较大差异,17龄果园消耗深度为500 cm,补充深度为200 cm;7龄果园、玉米地和小麦地消耗深度分别为200、300 cm和300 cm,且补充深度均超过了测定的土壤深度,大于600 cm。