Identification,classification, and analysis of beta-bulges in proteins.

A beta-bulge is a region of irregularity in a beta-sheet involving two beta-strands. It usually involves two or more residues in the bulged strand opposite to a single residue on the adjacent strand. These irregularities in beta-sheets were identified and classified automatically, extending the definition of beta-bulges given by Richardson et al. (Richardson, J.S., Getzoff, E.D., & Richardson, D.C., 1978, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 75, 2574-2578). A set of 182 protein chains (170 proteins) was used, and a total of 362 bulges were extracted. Five types of beta-bulges were found: classic, G1, wide, bent, and special. Their characteristic amino acid preferences were found for most classes of bulges. Basically, bulges occur frequently in proteins; on average there are more than two bulges per protein. In general, beta-bulges produce two main changes in the structure of a beta-sheet: (1) disrupt the normal alternation of side-chain direction; (2) accentuate the twist of the sheet, altering the direction of the surrounding strands.     

部分月季花品种的数量分类研究

用数量分析的方法,对80个月季、蔷薇及其远缘杂种的样本进行了系统分析与整理。Q型聚类分析结果表明,可将80个样本分为9类,并初步揭示了各类型间的亲缘关系。首次提出了将中国古老月季分为高大和低矮两个型,将新培育出的具有较高抗性的远缘杂种月季另立为灌丛月季型的分类方案。同时,分析并预测了采用中国原产的蔷薇野生种与古老月季品种或现代月季品种杂交,后代可能形成的月季品种类型。并对花卉品种数量分类中的一些方法进行了初步探讨。     

Use of oral chemotherapeutic agent,chlorambucil, as palliative treatment of thryoid adenocarcinoma in a golden-headed lion tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysomelas)

This case report describes the use of chlorambucil in a 7.5-year-old golden-headed lion tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysomelas) as palliative therapy for thyroid adenocarcinoma. Treatment was initiated at 0.1 mg/kg orally once daily. No physical abnormalities or substantial changes in complete blood cell counts and thyroid hormone levels from serial samples were detected.     

黄土高原地区主要植被类型的气候梯度分布

应用Thronthwaite的方法,对黄土高原286个气象站(台)的某些气候指标进行了计算,其中包括校正的潜在蒸散(APE)、水分指数(IM)、热量系数(TE)、干旱指数(IA)和湿润指数(IH)。同时,得到了每项气候指标的地理回归模型,并利用各项地理回归模型分别做出了各项气候指标的地区分布图。APE和IM与黄土高原地区植被的主要类型及其分布格局有密切的关系。本区大多数的植被类型的IM均为负值,照例划入干旱亚湿润-半干旱-干旱(dry subhumid-semiarid-arid)地区内,而大部分植被的TE在57.1—85.5之间,应属中温范畴。植被与气候指标的相关性表明:黄土高原南端的地带性植被,实际上为干旱森林、疏林和灌丛,它们在性质上与分布于山地上的辽东栋(Quercus liaotungensis Koiz.)林有所区别。     

The structure and diversity of retinal ganglion cells in the masked greenling Hexagrammos octogrammus Pallas, 1814 (Pisces: Scorpaeniformes: Hexagrammidae)

The authors studied the structure and diversity of retinal ganglion cells (GC) in the masked greenling Hexagrammos octogrammus. In vivo labelling with horseradish peroxidase revealed GCs of various structures in retinal wholemounts. A total of 154 cells were camera lucida drawn, and their digital models were generated. Each cell was characterized by 17 structural and topological parameters. Using nine clustering algorithms, a variety of clusterings were obtained. The optimum clustering was found using silhouette analysis. It was based on a set of three variables associated with dendritic field size and dendrite stratification depth in the retina. A total of nine cell types were discovered. A number of non-parametric tests showed significant pair-wise between-cluster differences in at least four parameters with medium and large effect sizes. Three large-field types differed mainly in dendritic field size, total dendrite length, level of dendrite stratification in the retina and position of somata. Six medium- to small-field types differed mainly in the structural complexity of dendritic arbors and level of dendrite arborization. Cells similar and obviously homologous to types 1–4 were identified in many fish species, including teleosts. Potential homologues of type 5 cells were identified in fewer teleost species. Cells similar to types 6–9 in relative dendritic field size and dendrite arborization pattern were also described in several teleostean species. Nonetheless, their homology is more questionable as their stratification patterns do not match so well as they do in large types. Potential functional matches of the GC types were identified in a number of teleostean species. Type 1 and 2 cells probably match spontaneously active units with the large receptive field centre, so-called dimming and lightening detectors; type 4 may be a counterpart of changing contrast detectors with medium receptive field centre size preferring fast-moving stimuli. Type 3 (biplexiform) cells have no obvious functional matches. Probable functional matches of types 6, 8 and 9 belong to ON-centre elements with small receptive fields such as ON-type direction-selective cells, ON-type spot detectors or ON-type spontaneously active units. Type 5 and 7 cells may match ON–OFF type units, in particular, changing contrast detectors or orientation-selective units. Potential functional matches of GC types presently described are involved in a wide spectrum of visual reactions related to adaptation to gradual change in illumination, predator escape, prey detection and capture, habitat selection and social behaviour.     

Determining the minimum sample size required to obtain sufficient progeny with a desired genotype at two quantitative trait loci

In this paper we determine the minimum progeny sample size n needed to obtain, with probability , at least m individuals of a desired two-locus genotype affecting quantitative traits. The two quantitative trait loci (QTLs) of interest may be linked or independent, with or without epistatic interaction between them. Parental genotypes may be known or unknown, and gene action at either locus may range from additive to overdominance. To reduce the required sample size, mating patterns that will produce a high proportion of desired progeny are suggested for different progeny genotypes and dominance levels. Based on the assumption of normally distributed quantitative trait expression, individuals can be classified into a genotype or genotypic group according to their phenotypic expressions. This technique is used to select both parents and progeny with unknown genotypes. Choice of parental classification criteria for a given quantitative trait affects classification accuracy, and hence the probability of obtaining progeny of the desired genotype. The complexity of this probability depends on the dominance level at each locus, the recombination fraction, and the awareness of parental genotypes. The procedure can be expanded to deal with more than two loci.BU-1168-MB in the Biometrics Unit Technical Report Series, 337 Warren Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USAFormerly known as S.-F. Shyu     

Alkaptonuria in a cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis)

An eight year old wild caught Cynomolgus monkey was diagnosed as having alkaptonuria, a condition characterized by the passage of a normal-colored urine which darkens upon standing. The underlying cause is the congenital lack of homogentisic acid oxidase with subsequent passage of homogentisic acid in the urine. No other clinical manifestations, such as deposition of pigment in the skin or mucous membranes or development of an ochronitic arthritis, were observed in this animal.