Cloning,expression and cellular localization of the Doublesex gene in the water flea, Daphnia carinata, during different developmental stages

In this study, one of Doublesex genes from the common freshwater cladoceran Daphnia carinata, designated DapcaDsx1, was cloned using primers based on homologous sequences and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). qPCR was employed to quantify differences in DapcaDsx1 expression between the different sexual phases, with expression levels being higher in sexual females. The role of DapcaDsx1 in the reproductive transformation was further investigated in parthenogenetic-phase females and sexual-phase females using whole-mount in situ hybridization. This cellular localization study showed specific expression of DapcaDsx1 in the thoracic segments, second antenna and part of the ventral carapace. Higher expression levels were exhibited in sexual females compared to parthenogenetic females. This suggests that the DapcaDsx1 gene plays significant roles in switching modes of reproduction and during sexual differentiation.     

利用厚度剪切模传感器在线快速检测鼠伤寒沙门氏菌

鼠伤寒沙门氏菌的浓度和生长用厚度剪切模（ＴＳＭ）传感器在线进行了测定．通过实验发现该法简单、实时和快速．该传感器的响应和细胞浓度之间存在良好的线性关系,相关系数为０．９７４．细菌的生长初始期即延滞期和对数生长期可以用该装置在线测定．影响测定的诸因素也进行了讨论,如培养基和电解质是关键的因素．测定的最佳浓度范围为１．２５×１０５～１×１０１０细胞／升．     

Disposable TSM-biosensor based on viscosity changes of the contacting medium

The thickness shear mode (TSM)-sensor responds to changes of mechanical properties of the material contacting the surface of the sensor. One of the material properties is the viscosity of a liquid. Abiosensor based on the TSM-resonator for the detection of endotoxin has been developed. It exploits the viscosity–density change during the reaction of endotoxin with limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL). The effect of surface properties of the sensor has been investigated to achieve better output signals. It is shown that the sensor requires a hydrophilic surface to get a better coupling between the sensor and the LAL–endotoxin solution. The TSM biosensor is able to detect an endotoxin concentration as low as 100 fg/ml by using only 50-μl standard LAL solution. The disadvantages of reusable sensors, such as the contamination from previous measurement of endotoxin and the cost of the regeneration or reclining processes of the sensor, have been eliminated by using a cost effective disposable TSM-sensor.     

Transport of seston in the karstic hydrosystem of the Plitvice Lakes (Croatia)

Research into spatial and temporal variation in seston transport was carried out during the year 2000 on three reaches on the longitudinal profile of the karstic cascading system of the Plitvice Lakes in Croatia. The three investigated reaches were (i) a channel over a barrier with low gradient; (ii) flow through a deep lake; and (iii) a channel with cascades and a steep gradient. The aim of the study was to establish the influence of physiographical and hydrological differences of these reaches on the quality and quantity of seston transport and food resources in the seston. To calculate the seston transport, we measured: total suspended matter (TSM), particulate inorganic matter (PIM), particulate organic matter (POM), chlorophyll-a (chl-a), heterotrophic bacteria and discharge. The PIM contribution from TSM ranged between 60 and 90%, while the percentage of POM in TSM was the highest in summer and ranged from 33 to 46%. POM and discharge were significantly negatively correlated (r = −0.43, P < 0.05). For the transport of TSM, PIM, POM and chlorophyll-a statistically significant differences between the three reaches were established. In a principal component analysis, 86% of the variance was explained by the first two factors. The first factor corresponded well with net transport of TSM, PIM, POM and chl-a and distinguished investigated reaches in two groups: the 1^st group with increasing (reaches with low gradient and with high gradient), and the 2nd group with decreasing net seston transport (reach with flow through a deep lake). The second factor corresponded strongly with discharge and distinguished investigated reaches according to their temporal variability. Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at and is accessible for authorized users Handling editor: J. Padisak     

Molecular imaging of endogenous mRNA expression in a mouse tumor model by adenovirus harboring trans-splicing ribozyme

We previously showed that a trans-splicing ribozyme reprograms tumor-related genes at the mRNA level, resulting in the expression of therapeutic genes and that this approach can be efficiently employed to target specific molecules. Here, we show that trans-splicing ribozyme technology can be applied in molecular imaging of specific RNA expression in living animals. We exemplify this concept successfully by imaging mouse cytoskeleton-associated protein 2 (mCKAP2) expression in intrahepatic tumor nodules using systemically delivered adenovirus harboring mCKAP2-specific trans-splicing ribozyme.     

The caspase-derived C-terminal fragment of betaAPP induces caspase-independent toxicity and triggers selective increase of Abeta42 in mammalian cells

During its physiopathological maturation, the beta-amyloid precursor protein undergoes several distinct proteolytic events by activities called secretases. In Alzheimer's disease, the main histological hallmark called senile plaque is clearly linked to the overproduction of the amyloid peptides Abeta40 and Abeta42, two highly aggregable betaAPP-derived fragments generated by combined cleavages by beta- and gamma-secretases. Recently, an alternative hydrolytic pathway was described, involving another category of proteolytic activities called caspases, responsible for the production of a 31 amino acids betaAPP C-terminal fragment called C31. C31 was reported to lower the viability of N2a cells but the exact mechanisms mediating C31-toxicity remained to be established. Here we show that the transient transfection of pSV2 vector encoding C31 lowers by about 80% TSM1 neuronal cells viability. Arguing against a C31-stimulated apoptotic response, we demonstrate by combined enzymatic and immunological approaches that C31 expression did not modulate basal or staurosporine-induced caspase 3-like activity and pro-caspase-3 activation. Furthermore, C31 did not modify Bax and p53 expressions, poly-(ADP-ribose)-polymerase cleavage and cytochrome c translocation into the cytosol. However, we established that C31 overexpression triggers selective increase of Abeta42 but not Abeta40 production by HEK293 cells expressing wild-type betaAPP751. Altogether, our data demonstrate that C31 induces a caspase-independent toxicity in TSM1 neurons and potentiates the pathogenic betaAPP maturation pathway by increasing selectively Abeta42 species in wild type-betaAPP-expressing human cells.     

基于GOCI影像的湖泊悬浮物浓度分类反演

悬浮物直接影响到光在水体中的传播,进而影响着水生生态环境,最终决定了湖泊的初级生产力。传统的遥感反演估算模型大多是针对某一湖区进行统一建模,忽视了不同区域水体光学性质的复杂差异性,并且传统的传感器时间分辨率和空间分辨率受到一定限制。针对太湖、巢湖、滇池、洞庭湖4个湖区利用两步聚类法将高光谱模拟到GOCI影像上的波段进行分类,将水体类型分为三类,第一类水体为悬浮物主导的水体,第二类水体为悬浮物和叶绿素a共同主导的水体,第三类水体为叶绿素a主导的水体。针对不同类型水体的光学特征,分别构建了悬浮物浓度反演模型,结果表明第一类水体可以利用B7/B4,第二和第三类水体可以利用B7/(B8+B4)作为波段组合因子对悬浮物浓度进行模型构建。精度验证结果表明,分类建模后第一类和第三类水体悬浮物浓度估算精度都得到了较明显提高,第一类水体RMSE降低了9.19mg/L,MAPE降低了3%,第三类水体RMSE降低了5.63 mg/L,MAPE降低了13.97%,第二类水体精度稍有降低。最后将反演模型应用于2013年5月13日的GOCI影像,可知整体而言太湖西南部地区悬浮物浓度较高,东北部地区悬浮物浓度较低,并且从9:00到15:00,太湖南部悬浮物浓度较高的区域在逐渐缩小。