Binding of the Novel Serotonin Agonist 8-Hydroxy-2-(Di-n-Propylamino) Tetralin in Normal and Alzheimer Brain

Binding of [3H]8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin, a putative ligand for the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin) 1A recognition site, was measured in neocortex from postmortem human brain. The substance was found to bind to a saturable site with a KD value and pharmacological profile similar to that of rat. Binding to membranes from normal human temporal cortex was found to significantly correlate (inversely) with age. A significant reduction in binding, reflecting decreased density of recognition sites, was observed in the frontal cortex of patients with Alzheimer's disease (48% loss). This region in the dement brains showed unaltered presynaptic 5-HT function (5-HT and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid content) whereas 5-HT concentration was reduced in the temporal cortex.     

A novel anti-inflammatory role for spleen-derived interleukin-10 in obesity-induced hypothalamic inflammation

Obesity can be associated with systemic low-grade inflammation that contributes to obesity-related metabolic disorders. Recent studies raise the possibility that hypothalamic inflammation contributes to the pathogenesis of diet-induced obesity (DIO), while another study reported that obesity decreases the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in spleen. The following study examines the hypothesis that obesity suppresses the splenic synthesis of the anti-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin (IL)-10, thereby resulting in chronic hypothalamic inflammation. The results showed that due to oxidative stress or apoptosis, the synthesis of splenic IL-10 was decreased in DIO when compared with non-obesity rats. Splenectomy (SPX) accelerated DIO-induced inflammatory responses in the hypothalamus. Interestingly, SPX suppressed the DIO-induced increases in food intake and body weight and led to a hypothalamic pro-inflammatory state that was similar to that produced by DIO, indicating that hypothalamic inflammation exerts a dual effect on energy metabolism. These SPX-induced changes were inhibited by the systemic administration of IL-10. Moreover, SPX had no effect on hypothalamic inflammatory responses in IL-10-deficient mice. These data suggest that spleen-derived IL-10 plays an important role in the prevention of hypothalamic inflammation and may be a therapeutic target for the treatment of obesity and hypothalamic inflammation.     

Wood anatomy and carbon‐isotope discrimination support long‐term hydraulic deterioration as a major cause of drought‐induced dieback

Hydraulic impairment due to xylem embolism and carbon starvation are the two proposed mechanisms explaining drought‐induced forest dieback and tree death. Here, we evaluate the relative role played by these two mechanisms in the long‐term by quantifying wood‐anatomical traits (tracheid size and area of parenchyma rays) and estimating the intrinsic water‐use efficiency (iWUE) from carbon isotopic discrimination. We selected silver fir and Scots pine stands in NE Spain with ongoing dieback processes and compared trees showing contrasting vigour (declining vs nondeclining trees). In both species earlywood tracheids in declining trees showed smaller lumen area with thicker cell wall, inducing a lower theoretical hydraulic conductivity. Parenchyma ray area was similar between the two vigour classes. Wet spring and summer conditions promoted the formation of larger lumen areas, particularly in the case of nondeclining trees. Declining silver firs presented a lower iWUE than conspecific nondeclining trees, but the reverse pattern was observed in Scots pine. The described patterns in wood anatomical traits and iWUE are coherent with a long‐lasting deterioration of the hydraulic system in declining trees prior to their dieback. Retrospective quantifications of lumen area permit to forecast dieback in declining trees 2–5 decades before growth decline started. Wood anatomical traits provide a robust tool to reconstruct the long‐term capacity of trees to withstand drought‐induced dieback.     

Recent changes in the plant composition of wetlands in the Jura Mountains

Aim

To assess vegetation changes in montane fens and wet meadows and their causes over 38 years.

Location

Wetlands, Jura Mountains (Switzerland and France).

Methods

Plots were inventoried in 1974 and re‐located in 2012 (quasi‐permanent plots) on the basis of sketches to assess changes in plant communities. The 110 plots belonged to five phytosociological alliances, two in oligotrophic fens (Caricion davallianae, Caricion fuscae) and three in wet meadows (Calthion, Molinion, Filipendulion). Changes between surveys were assessed with NMDS, and changes in species richness, Simpson diversity, species cover and frequency and the causes of these changes were evaluated by comparing ecological indicator values.

Results

Changes in species composition varied between alliances, with a general trend towards more nutrient‐rich flora with less light at ground level. Species diversity declined, with a marked decreasing trend for the typical species of each alliance. These species were partly replaced by species belonging to nitrophilous and mesophilous grasslands. However, no trend towards drier conditions was detected in these wetlands. The largest changes, with an important colonization by nitrophilous species, occurred in the Swiss sites, where grazing was banned 25 years ago. As a result of floral shifts, many plots previously belonging to fens or wet mesotrophic meadows shifted to an alliance of the wet meadows, generally Filipendulion. Moreover, communities showed a slight trend towards more thermophilous flora.

Conclusions

The investigated wetlands in the Jura Mountains have suffered mainly from eutrophication due to land‐use abandonment and N deposition, with a loss of typical species. Areas with constant land use (grazing or mowing) showed less marked changes in species composition. The most important action to conserve these wetlands is to maintain or reintroduce the traditional practices of extensive mowing and livestock grazing in the wetlands, especially in areas where they were abandoned 25 years ago. This previous land‐use change was intended to improve fen conservation, but it was obviously the wrong measure for conservation purposes.     

1988-2013年基于BP神经网络的植被叶面积指数遥感定量反演

叶面积指数（Leaf Area Index,LAI）高度综合了植被水平覆盖状况和垂直结构,以及枯枝落叶层厚薄和地下生物量多少,是植被影响土壤侵蚀的主要方面。区域尺度的时间序列叶面积指数揭示了区域土壤侵蚀的演化过程。因此,及时准确地掌握区域尺度上长时间序列的植被LAI,对研究土壤侵蚀动态变化与植被的关系至关重要。选择南京市1988-2013年10期遥感影像,基于反向传播（Back Propagation,BP）神经网络构建LAI反演模型,进行了长时间序列的叶面积指数反演。结合2009和2010年LAI实测值,验证与探讨了该模型的评价精度与适应性。结果表明：（1）该模型拟合度较高,2009和2010年平均相对误差、均方根误差、相关系数分别是0.2395和0.2174,0.2962和0.2581,0.7713和0.6844,各项精度评价指标均较好;（2）统计分析去除耕地后全市LAI变化,低植被覆盖（LAI<2）面积不断增加,高植被覆盖区（LAI>3）面积先减少后增加,耕地面积不断减少,符合南京市的发展变化规律;（3）主城区LAI年际变化与其他学者得到的南京市植被盖度变化趋势一致,反演结果的时序性较高。本文提出的基于反向传播神经网络模型反演长时间序列LAI是可行的,为区域尺度土壤侵蚀定量遥感监测提供新途径。     

Microbial Communities Associated with Tree Bark Foliose Lichens: A Perspective on their Microecology

Tree‐bark, foliose lichens occur widely on a global scale. In some locales, such as forests, they contribute a substantial amount of biomass. However, there are few research reports on microbial communities including eukaryotic microbes associated with foliose lichens. Lichens collected from tree bark at 11 locations (Florida, New York State, Germany, Australia, and the Arctic) were examined to determine the density and C‐biomass of bacteria and some eukaryotic microbes, i.e. heterotrophic nanoflagellates (HNF) and amoeboid protists. A rich microbial diversity was found, including large plasmodial slime molds, in some cases exceeding 100 μm in size. The densities of HNF and amoeboid protists were each positively correlated with densities of bacteria, r = 0.84 and 0.80, respectively (p < 0.01, N = 11 for each analysis) indicating a likely bacterial‐based food web. Microbial densities (number/g lichen dry weight) varied markedly across the geographic sampling sites: bacteria (0.7–13.1 × 10⁸), HNF (0.2–6.8 × 10⁶) and amoeboid protists (0.4–4.6 × 10³). The ranges in C‐biomass (μg/g lichen dry weight) across the 11 sites were: bacteria (8.8–158.5), HNF (0.03–0.85), and amoeboid protists (0.08–540), the latter broad range was due particularly to absence or presence of large slime mold plasmodia.     

RNA结合蛋白调节mRNA稳定性的作用机制

免疫稳态的维持涉及多种细胞因子的基因表达调控,其中在转录后水平对mRNA稳定性的调控起重要作用。ARE(AU-rich element)位于mRNA 3'UTR(非编码区),富含AU碱基,某些RNA结合蛋白通过识别结合ARE影响mRNA的稳定性。本文综合最新研究,概述了TTP、HUR等RNA结合蛋白对mRNA稳定性的调节机制及其在信号通路中的作用。     

用于新型冠状病毒检测的核酸等温扩增技术研究进展

核酸检测作为新型冠状病毒肺炎(COVID-19)筛查诊断和病情监测的主要手段,在疫情防控中发挥了重要作用。虽然实时荧光定量PCR被认为是新型冠状病毒(SARS-CoV-2)核酸检测的金标准,但其依赖荧光定量PCR仪且扩增检测时间较长,难以实现现场快速检测。因此许多基于核酸等温扩增的SARS-CoV-2检测方法相继诞生。等温扩增对仪器温控要求不高,通过与微流控芯片和可视化检测技术结合,可进一步简化操作、降低成本,为SARS-CoV-2现场快速筛查提供有力的技术支撑。本文围绕已报道的SARS-CoV-2等温扩增检测方法原理、检测性能及优缺点进行探讨,为进一步发展SARS-CoV-2现场快速检测平台提供参考。     

Multifunctional roles of a bacteriophage phi 29 morphogenetic factor in assembly and infection

Low copy number proteins within macromolecular complexes, such as viruses, can be critical to biological function while comprising a minimal mass fraction of the complex. The Bacillus subtilis double-stranded DNA bacteriophage phi 29 gene 13 product (gp13), previously undetected in the virion, was identified and localized to the distal tip of the tail knob. Western blots and immuno-electron microscopy detected a few copies of gp13 in phi 29, DNA-free particles, purified tails, and defective particles produced in suppressor-sensitive (sus) mutant sus13(330) infections. Particles assembled in the absence of intact gp13 (sus13(342) and sus13(330)) had the gross morphology of phi 29 but were not infectious. gp13 has predicted structural homology and sequence similarity to the M23 metalloprotease LytM. Poised at the tip of the phi 29 tail knob, gp13 may serve as a plug to help restrain the highly pressurized packaged genome. Also, in this position, gp13 may be the first virion protein to contact the cell wall in infection, acting as a pilot protein to depolymerize the cell wall. gp13 may facilitate juxtaposition of the tail knob onto the cytoplasmic membrane and the triggering of genome injection.