Pigmentation pattern formation in butterflies: experiments and models

Butterfly pigmentation patterns are one of the most spectacular and vivid examples of pattern formation in biology. They have attracted much attention from experimentalists and theoreticians, who have tried to understand the underlying genetic, chemical and physical processes that lead to patterning. In this paper, we present a brief review of this field by first considering the generation of the localised, eyespot, patterns and then the formation of more globally controlled patterns. We present some new results applied to pattern formation on the wing of the mimetic butterfly Papilio dardanus.     

Expression of SR-BI receptor and StAR protein in rat ocular tissues

The class-B type-I scavenger receptor (SR-BI) plays a key role in cholesterol homeostasis; it mediates the selective uptake of lipoprotein cholesterol to steroidogenic tissues. We show by RT-PCR, western blot, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry analysis that SR-BI is highly expressed in different neuro-retinal and non-neuronal cells types on rat eye. Immunohistochemistry of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) involved in neurosteroid production showed the same expression pattern than SR-BI in rat eye. Our results may suggest a key role of these genes in the ocular cholesterol metabolism for membranes biosynthesis and neurosteroidogenesis.     

Isolation of a cloned DNA segment containing a ribosomal protein gene of Drosophila melanogaster

A Drosophila genomic DNA library in the vector Charon 4 was screened using cDNA derived from the small (6S-12S) poly(A)+ mRNA of 2-6-h-old Drosophila embryos. This fraction of mRNA is enriched for ribosomal protein-coding sequences. The selected recombinants were hybridized to total mRNA under conditions which allowed for isolation of homologous mRNAs. The mRNA from these RNA/DNA hybrids was eluted and translated in vitro. The translation products were analyzed by one- and two-dimensional electrophoresis with authentic ribosomal proteins as standards. One cloned DNA segment was found to contain a ribosomal protein gene, and a sequence which hybridizes strongly to at least 5 other ribosomal protein mRNAs.     

Statistical techniques for detection of major genes in animal breeding data

Summary Statistical techniques for detection of major loci and for making inferences about major locus parameters such as genotypic frequencies, effects and gene action from field-collected data are presented. In field data, major genotypic effects are likely to be masked by a large number of environmental differences in addition to additive and nonadditive polygenic effects. A graphical technique and a procedure for discriminating among genetic hypotheses based on a mixed model accounting for all these factors are proposed. The methods are illustrated by using simulated data.Journal Paper No. J-12733 of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, Ames, Iowa. Project No. 1901     

Variant CJD

It is now 18 years since the first identification of a case of vCJD in the UK. Since that time, there has been much speculation over how vCJD might impact human health. To date there have been 177 case reports in the UK and a further 51 cases worldwide in 11 different countries. Since establishing that BSE and vCJD are of the same strain of agent, we have also shown that there is broad similarity between UK and non-UK vCJD cases on first passage to mice. Transgenic mouse studies have indicated that all codon 129 genotypes are susceptible to vCJD and that genotype may influence whether disease appears in a clinical or asymptomatic form, supported by the appearance of the first case of potential asymptomatic vCJD infection in a PRNP 129MV patient. Following evidence of blood transfusion as a route of transmission, we have ascertained that all blood components and leucoreduced blood in a sheep model of vCJD have the ability to transmit disease. Importantly, we recently established that a PRNP 129MV patient blood recipient with an asymptomatic infection and limited PrP^Sc deposition in the spleen could readily transmit disease into mice, demonstrating the potential for peripheral infection in the absence of clinical disease. This, along with the recent appendix survey which identified 16 positive appendices in a study of 32 441 cases, underlines the importance of continued CJD surveillance and maintaining control measures already in place to protect human health.     

基于MIMIC数据库的多参数数据D/A回放系统

文中分析了MIMIC多参数智能监护数据库存储文件的识读方法,该数据库公开发表于PhysioNET,还研究及基于STM32和DAC8568的多参数数据D/A回放系统,包括系统硬件工作原理和系统软件工作原理。MIMIC多参数智能监护数据库的数据文件对于变异性较大的生理参数采用连续采样的方式,而对于相对稳定的生理参数采用周期采样的方式,因此,多参数数据各信号的抽样频率不同。系统首先通过VC++编程读取一个多抽样频率数据并在PC机上显示其波形,然后经过D/A硬件设备进行D/A转换后使用示波器输出其波形,实现输出的波形与原始的波形能同时回放。系统可作为模拟信号源,为远程多参数生理监护仪的研制奠定了基础。     

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma in dermatomyositis patients: A 10-year retrospective review in Hospital Selayang,Malaysia

AimThe objective of our review is to investigate the association between dermatomyositis patients and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) together with the clinical presentation of the patients and their management in otorhinolaryngology.BackgroundNPC is a malignant disease with good prognosis on early diagnosis. However, the relationship between the dermatomyositis and NPC and its management is not well defined.Materials and methodsA 10-year retrospective review of case records of 21 dermatomyositis patients seen in Otorhinolaryngology Department of Hospital Selayang from January 2000 to November 2010.ResultsThese patients ranged from 19 to 74 years old and a total of 8 (38%) out of 21 adults with dermatomyositis were detected to have malignancy. Five out of 8 patients had NPC (62.5%). The mean age of patients with NPC and dermatomyositis was 48 years. NPC is diagnosed in 4 out of 5 patients (80%) in the first year of diagnosis of dermatomyositis. The clinical findings of the examination of nasopharynx ranged from hyperemia to exophytic nasopharyngeal mass. Histologically, it is only related to NPC of WHO types II and III.ConclusionsThere is a strong relationship between dermatomyositis and malignancy, especially NPC. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for malignancy in all dermatomyositis patients. Rigid nasoendoscopies and biopsies, serum Epstein–Barr viral capsid IgA antibody and imaging studies are helpful in detecting NPC in dermatomyositis patients.     

Discovery and structure–activity relationships of phenyl benzenesulfonylhydrazides as novel indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase inhibitors

A novel class of phenyl benzenesulfonylhydrazides has been identified as potent inhibitors of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), and their structure–activity relationship was explored. Coupling reactions between various benzenesulfonyl chlorides and phenylhydrazides were utilized to synthesize the sulfonylhydrazides bearing various substituents. Compound 3i exhibited 61 nM of IC₅₀ in enzymatic assay and 172 nM of EC₅₀ in the HeLa cell. The computational study of 3i suggested that the major interactions between 3i and IDO protein are the coordination of sulfone and heme iron, the hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions between 3i and IDO. This novel class of IDO inhibitor provides a new direction to discover effective anti-cancer agents.     

宏观生态系统科学整合研究的多学科知识融合及其技术途径

综合认识大尺度的宏观生态系统结构功能、空间变异和动态演变的过程机理和模式机制,实现对生态系统变化及其对人类福祉影响的定量模拟、科学评估和预测预警,服务生态系统的利用保护及调控管理,是当代宏观生态系统科学的重要发展方向,正在孕育并形成大尺度的宏观生态系统科学整合生态学(IEMES)研究新领域.本研究通过对宏观生态系统科学...