Evidence of in vivo Free Radical Generation by Spin Trapping with α-Phenyl N-Tert-Butyl Nitrone During Ischemia/Reperfusion in Rabbit Kidneys

By using α-phenyl N-tert-butyl nitrone (PBN) as spin trap molecule and the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) technique, we obtained the first direct evidence of in vivo intervention of free radicals during an ischemia (50 minutes) reperfusion phenomenon in kidney of an intact rabbit.

An EPR signal (triplet of doublets) characterized by coupling constants a_N = 14.75–15 G and a^H_s = 2.5–3 G was detected in blood samples. The signal was consistent with a nitroxyl-radical adduct resulting from the spin trapping by PBN of either oxygen-or carbon-centered radicals. Control experiments indicated that the EPR signal was not due to a toxic effect of the spin trap molecule.     

15-KETE对慢性缺氧大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞钾离子通道的作用

目的观察15-酮基二十碳四烯酸（15-ketoeicosatetraenoic acid,15-KETE）对缺氧大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞（pulmonary arterial smooth cells,PASMCs）膜电压门控钾离子通道的活性的影响。方法将12只雄性SD大鼠随机分成对照组和缺氧组,每组6只。采用急性酶分离法（胶原酶Ⅰ型和弹性酶）获得SD大鼠单个PASMCs,应用全细胞膜片钳记录方法,研究15-KETE对两组大鼠膜电位（Em）、膜电容（Cm）、电压门控钾电流（IKv）的影响。结果 （1）慢性缺氧使大鼠PASMCs的Em显著去极化（P〈0.05,n=6）,明显地抑制了大鼠PASMCs的IKv（P〈0.01,n=6）,对大鼠PASMCs的Cm无影响;（2）较高浓度的15-KETE（1×10^-7 mol/L、1×10^-6 mol/L）可使慢性缺氧大鼠PASMCs去极化;（3）15-KETE（1×10^-8 mol/L～1×10^-6 mol/L）可浓度依赖性地抑制慢性缺氧大鼠PASMCs的IKv;（4）较高浓度15-KETE（1×10^-7 mol/L、1×10^-6 mol/L）对缺氧PASMCs IKV的平均阻抑率显著高于常氧PASMCs。结论缺氧未改变15-KETE引大鼠PASMCs去极化及浓度依赖抑止IKv的特性,且缺氧可能改变了PASMCs对15-KETE的敏感性。     

New fin-line devices for radiofrequency exposure of small biological samples in vitro allowing whole-cell patch clamp recordings

The development and analysis of three waveguides for the exposure of small biological in vitro samples to mobile communication signals at 900 MHz (GSM, Global System for Mobile Communications), 1.8 GHz (GSM), and 2 GHz (UMTS, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) is presented. The waveguides were based on a fin‐line concept and the chamber containing the samples bathed in extracellular solution was placed onto two fins with a slot in between, where the exposure field concentrates. Measures were taken to allow for patch clamp recordings during radiofrequency (RF) exposure. The necessary power for the achievement of the maximum desired specific absorption rate (SAR) of 20 W/kg (average over the mass of the solution) was approximately P_in = 50 mW, P_in = 19 mW, and P_in = 18 mW for the 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 2 GHz devices, respectively. At 20 W/kg, a slight RF‐induced temperature elevation in the solution of no more than 0.3 °C was detected, while no thermal offsets due to the electromagnetic exposure could be detected at the lower SAR settings (2, 0.2, and 0.02 W/kg). A deviation of 10% from the intended solution volume yielded a calculated SAR deviation of 8% from the desired value. A maximum ±10% variation in the local SAR could occur when the position of the patch clamp electrode was altered within the area where the cells to be investigated were located. Bioelectromagnetics 32:102–112, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Dithranol as a Matrix for Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Imaging on a Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometer

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) determines the spatial localization and distribution patterns of compounds on the surface of a tissue section, mainly using MALDI (matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization)-based analytical techniques. New matrices for small-molecule MSI, which can improve the analysis of low-molecular weight (MW) compounds, are needed. These matrices should provide increased analyte signals while decreasing MALDI background signals. In addition, the use of ultrahigh-resolution instruments, such as Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometers, has the ability to resolve analyte signals from matrix signals, and this can partially overcome many problems associated with the background originating from the MALDI matrix. The reduction in the intensities of the metastable matrix clusters by FTICR MS can also help to overcome some of the interferences associated with matrix peaks on other instruments. High-resolution instruments such as the FTICR mass spectrometers are advantageous as they can produce distribution patterns of many compounds simultaneously while still providing confidence in chemical identifications. Dithranol (DT; 1,8-dihydroxy-9,10-dihydroanthracen-9-one) has previously been reported as a MALDI matrix for tissue imaging. In this work, a protocol for the use of DT for MALDI imaging of endogenous lipids from the surfaces of mammalian tissue sections, by positive-ion MALDI-MS, on an ultrahigh-resolution hybrid quadrupole FTICR instrument has been provided.     

苜蓿国际发展态势分析

苜蓿是草食动物的优质饲草, 被誉为“牧草之王”。发展苜蓿产业对提升我国草食畜牧业具有重要意义。该研究采用定性调研与定量分析相结合的方法, 从创新链角度, 研究了全球苜蓿科技产出、代表性国家苜蓿产业格局和全球苜蓿市场贸易等状况及我国苜蓿产业存在的问题, 旨在为我国苜蓿产业发展提供参考。分析发现, 美国是全球最重要的苜蓿生产国, 在苜蓿基础研究、技术开发、品种培育和商业化种植等方面均具有很强的优势, 引领了全球苜蓿产业的发展。欧美等跨国企业掌控着全球苜蓿产业链的各个关键环节, 是苜蓿产品的主要出口市场, 而亚洲苜蓿产品消费缺口最大。近10年来, 我国在苜蓿科技领域表现活跃, 科技成果产出呈快速增长趋势, 但在成果数量和影响力方面与欧美国家差距明显, 且苜蓿育种进程缓慢, 优质苜蓿产品对外依存度仍然较高。综合来看, 我国应持续加大苜蓿的研发力度和科技投入, 推进苜蓿产业化发展, 提升苜蓿产品的自给率, 保障草食畜牧业健康、稳定发展。     

Spatiotemporal distribution and dynamic changes of myxomycetes in subtropical forests of China

The spatiotemporal distribution and dynamic changes of species composition of myxomycetes in humid subtropical forests of Houhe National Nature Reserve in southern China were studied by collecting samples of bark and ground litter within four seasons for isolation of myxomycetes in moist chamber cultures and by collecting fruiting bodies in the field from June to October. A total of 725 specimens of myxomycete fruiting bodies representing 77 species of 25 genera were registered, among them 302 records/51 species from field collections and 423 records obtained from 600 moist chamber cultures of ground litter and bark of living trees, which resulted in 35 and 39 species, respectively. Cornuvia serpula and Perichaena microspora were recorded for the first time in China. Both myxomycete species richness and diversity were significantly different in ground litter among sites and field collections among months. NMDS combined with Permanova indicated that the site had a greater impact on the myxomycete community of bark and litter than the season, while the month of field collections had a greater impact than the sampling sites. CCA and VPA analysis showed that the bark-inhabiting myxomycete species were mainly affected by spatial variables, while the litter-inhabiting and field collected species were more affected by climatic factors.     

Optocardiographic recording of heart rate in Talitrus saltator (Amphipoda: Talitridae)

Abstract.  An optocardiographic non-invasive technique was used to monitor heart activity in small arthropods. Heart rate was recorded in adult individuals of the supralittoral amphipod Talitrus saltator after 3 h of immersion in marine artificial water (0, 11 and 33‰, t  = 15 ± 1 °C). Mean heart rate (± SE) ranged from 210 ± 26 beats min⁻¹ (at 33‰) to 276 ± 15 beats min⁻¹ (at 0‰) and, despite the small increase in temperature (0.5 °C) due to the infrared beam, the heart frequency remained constant for several hours. Neither the glue used to apply the sensor to the animal nor the beating of the pleopods affected heart rate. This technique could be a useful tool for the investigation of ecophysiological aspects in T. saltator , which is already well known for its ecology and behaviour.     

Establishing a lung cancer stem cell culture using autologous intratumoral fibroblasts as feeder cells

Human LCSCs (lung cancer stem cells) were first isolated from lung cancer patients and cultured using serum-free culture methods. To recreate the intratumoural microenvironment to sustain LCSC growth, autologous intratumoral fibroblasts were used as feeder cells. In this study, we investigated the growth and maintenance of pluripotency in prolonged LCSCs culture on autologous intratumoural fibroblasts. LCSCs isolated from three clinical samples all showed vigorous growth on feeder cells for 16 weeks of continuous cultures with a doubling time of 41-47 h. The cells continued expressing stem cell marker CD133 and remained undifferentiated. Pluripotency was demonstrated by tumour formation in immunodeficient mice. In a feeder-free culture system, growth of LCSCs spheres was retarded and would cease when the diameter reached 100 μm if immediate passage was not performed. Moreover, spontaneous differentiation was more frequently seen in a serum-free culture system. In conclusion, we have successfully established a culture system using autologous intratumoural fibroblast cells as feeder cells for prolonged culture of undifferentiated LCSCs in vitro.     

Dendrochronological assessment of the time since death of dead wood in an old growth Magellan's beech forest,Navarino Island (Chile)

The present study investigated the relationship between time since death and the morphological characteristics of fallen dead trees in a Nothofagus betuloides forest stand located on the island of Navarino (Chile). In this unmanaged forest, there were 399 m³ ha^?1 of dead wood, which represented about half of the living tree volume. At the investigation site, 18 living trees were selected and increment cores were collected from them to build master ring‐width chronologies. Cross sections were also collected from 48 fallen dead trees. The samples collected were then assigned to observable decay classes and their death date was determined dendrochronologically. Cross‐dating techniques were used and it was found that the fallen dead trees cross‐dated significantly with standard chronologies. A year of death was successfully determined for 75% of the sampled fallen dead trees. However, this study demonstrated that, in the standard classification, the transition rate from one class of decay to another was highly variable. Furthermore, the inconsistencies found in the decay rates of the fallen dead trees demonstrated that the existing decay classification schemes were unsuitable for this type of forest stand and that the relationship between qualitatively assessed decay classes and the time since death of trees in this extreme environment was rather weak. In addition, the analysis of the time since death, in this old growth forest, was indicative of the persistence of dead wood on the forest floor in austral cold ecosystems and of its contribution to long‐term carbon storage.