Identification and characterization of the chaperone-subunit complex-binding domain from the type 1 pilus assembly platform FimD

The outer membrane protein FimD represents the assembly platform of adhesive type 1 pili from Escherichia coli. FimD forms ring-shaped oligomers of 91.4 kDa subunits that recognize complexes between the pilus chaperone FimC and individual pilus subunits in the periplasm and mediate subunit translocation through the outer membrane. Here, we have identified a periplasmic domain of FimD (FimD(N)) comprising the N-terminal 139 residues of FimD. Purified FimD(N) is a monomeric, soluble protein that specifically recognizes complexes between FimC and individual type 1 pilus subunits, but does not bind the isolated chaperone, or isolated subunits. In addition, FimD(N) retains the ability of FimD to recognize different chaperone-subunit complexes with different affinities, and has the highest affinity towards the FimC-FimH complex. Overexpression of FimD(N) in the periplasm of wild-type E.coli cells diminished incorporation of FimH at the tip of type 1 pili, while pilus assembly itself was not affected. The identification of FimD(N) and its ternary complexes with FimC and individual pilus subunits opens the avenue to structural characterization of critical type 1 pilus assembly intermediates.     

人源μ型阿片受体的cDNA克隆及转染CHO细胞的活性分析

μ型阿片受体是阿片类药物镇痛与成瘾的分子基础。从人脑组织总RNA通过RTPCR扩增获得μ型阿片受体的cDNA,将其克隆至pcDNA31(+)中,用酶切鉴定正确的重组质粒转染CHO细胞。筛选的单克隆细胞株,检测阳性的细胞克隆表达的μ型阿片受体介导胞内信号转导的能力。通过与激动剂和拮抗剂的信号转导分析证实,阳性的细胞克隆表达的μ型阿片受体与天然的μ型阿片受体具有基本一致的生物学特性,因此可以用来作为高效镇痛低成瘾药物筛选平台的候选细胞株。     

Nanobiohybrid Material‐Based Bioelectronic Devices

Biomolecules, especially proteins and nucleic acids, have been widely studied to develop biochips for various applications in scientific fields ranging from bioelectronics to stem cell research. However, restrictions exist due to the inherent characteristics of biomolecules, such as instability and the constraint of granting the functionality to the biochip. Introduction of functional nanomaterials, recently being researched and developed, to biomolecules have been widely researched to develop the nanobiohybrid materials because such materials have the potential to enhance and extend the function of biomolecules on a biochip. The potential for applying nanobiohybrid materials is especially high in the field of bioelectronics. Research in bioelectronics is aimed at realizing electronic functions using the inherent properties of biomolecules. To achieve this, various biomolecules possessing unique properties have been combined with novel nanomaterials to develop bioelectronic devices such as highly sensitive electrochemical‐based bioelectronic sensing platforms, logic gates, and biocomputing systems. In this review, recently reported bioelectronic devices based on nanobiohybrid materials are discussed. The authors believe that this review will suggest innovative and creative directions to develop the next generation of multifunctional bioelectronic devices.     

Facies variability in Lower Liassic carbonate successions of the Western Dinarides (Croatia)

Summary In the Western Dinarides the Lower Liassic carbonates are underlain by Upper Triassic “Hauptdolomit”, whereas the first appearance of the foraminiferOrbitopsella praecursor (Gümbel) marks the beginning of the Middle Liassic. Their composition, observed at several localities in Western Croatia, shows a correlation of sedimentation events, which took place during Early Liassic on the Adriatic-Dinaridic carbonate platform. Facies variability is interpreted as result of autocyclic sedimentary processes on which the carbonate platform reacted by periodical oscillations of sea-bottom near the fair-weather wavebase. As a consequence, the Lower Liassic carbonate successions in the Dinarides is characterized by stacking of two main types of coarsening-upward parasequences: (1) the basal part of the Lower Liassic succession is represented by parasequences composed of mudstones or pelletal-bioclastic wackestones as their lower members, and peloidal-bioclastic wackestone/packstones to grain-stones as their upper members; and (2) the upper part of the Lower Liassic succession with parasequences consisting of mudstones or pelletal-bioclastic wackestones overlain by ooid grainstones. Judging from the composition of parasequences and thickness relations of their members, the first type is interpreted to comprise late transgressive system tract (ITST) and/or early highstand system tract (eHST), while the second type corresponds to a late highstand system tract (1HST) and/or early lowstand system tract (eLST) of a third-order sequence.     

利用分子量阵列平台进行特定序列甲基化分析的方法探讨

目的：探讨利用分子量阵列平台进行特定序列甲基化分析的方法。方法：通过对不同扩增条件和扩增效率及不同条件处理的质谱分析比较了MassArray平台进行甲基化分析的特点。结果：本研究通过与重亚硫酸盐测序结果比较证实,MassArray分子量阵列技术平台能够反映甲基化修饰的真实水平;通过不同条件下PCR扩增效率与甲基化分析的结果,发现扩增效率是制约MassArray分子量阵列技术平台甲基化分析的关键因素,而产物的放置时间和不同的处理没有明显影响甲基化分析。结论：Mas-sArray甲基化分析平台是高效快速检测甲基化修饰的平台,在使用过程中应该根据实际的实验条件,进行合理的质控。     

Towards the integration of animal‐borne instruments into global ocean observing systems

Marine animals are increasingly instrumented with environmental sensors that provide large volumes of oceanographic data. Here, we conduct an innovative and comprehensive global analysis to determine the potential contribution of animal‐borne instruments (ABI) into ocean observing systems (OOSs) and provide a foundation to establish future integrated ocean monitoring programmes. We analyse the current gaps of the long‐term Argo observing system (>1.5 million profiles) and assess its spatial overlap with the distribution of marine animals across eight major species groups (tuna and billfishes, sharks and rays, marine turtles, pinnipeds, cetaceans, sirenians, flying seabirds and penguins). We combine distribution ranges of 183 species and satellite tracking observations from >3,000 animals. Our analyses identify potential areas where ABI could complement OOS. Specifically, ABI have the potential to fill gaps in marginal seas, upwelling areas, the upper 10 m of the water column, shelf regions and polewards of 60° latitude. Our approach provides the global baseline required to plan the integration of ABI into global and regional OOS while integrating conservation and ocean monitoring priorities.     

医学检验服务支撑平台在区域医联体中的作用

自2013年以来,北京地区构建了多个区域医联体。在中日友好医院医联体运行的半年多时间里,针对遇到的问题,医联体内各医疗机构采取了许多相应的措施。针对医学检验信息互通,结果互认,样本转运等方面的问题,中日友好医院联合医联体内各成员单位引入医学检验服务支撑平台,探索一种“互助式”的新型医学检验服务模式,力求达到“六统一”的要求,实现医联体的优势互补、资源优化配置作用。     

Les Rhynchonelles du Bathonien du domaineprovencal: Liaison entre l'installation des peuplements et les modalités de la transgression bathonienne dans les Alpes-Maritimes

In the Maritime Alps, the Middle and Upper Bathoniancorresponds to a transgressive episode on the Provençal platform. The advancement of the marine invasion is very noticeable between Grasse and Antibes. The sediment shows the existence of a shallow marine environment in which benthic organisms were predominant.The deposits are at first varied: marly layers withbivalves (burrowers for the most part) and calcareous layers with monospecific populations of brachiopods (Burmirhynchia mediterranea nov. sp. in a calm environment, and B. turgidaBuckman in a more turbulent environment).The deposits then become uniform and show theexistence of very shallows environments: B. decorata kiliani nov. subsp. is the only representative of macrofauna in the micritic limestones that can be attributed to the Upper Bathonian.The Rhynchonellids, as on the other Bathonian carbonateplatforms of Western Europe, seem to be the only organisms likely to stay alive and proliferate in the specific environments in which entirely carbonate sediments are deposited in shallow water. Due to their relationships to those existing in other platforms, the species described in this article permit the clarification of biostratigraphic correlations.     

自建和选用微生物信息学平台辅助“生物信息学”课程教学探索

"生物信息学"课程主要讲授生物信息分析技术及其在动植物和微生物学研究领域中的应用。随着课程涉及的多种信息学分析软件和算法的不断开发和使用,应用领域也在不断拓展,因而其教学内容也需不断发展和更新。本文主要从不断发展和自建的微生物信息学平台如何辅助教学角度,探讨研究生"生物信息学"课程的教学模式及其实践效果。我们基于自建微生物信息学分析平台,以强化研究生解决实际问题和创新能力培养为目标,在教学内容、教学手段、授课方式和考核标准4个方面积极探索,建立了适合我校微生物学相关专业研究生培养目标的课程设置、启发式教学模式和成绩评价方式,促进了研究生培养质量和水平的提升。