Age-dependent changes in myogenic precursor cell compartment sizes. Evidence for the existence of a stem cell

Individual myogenic cells were isolated from the pectoralis muscles of chick embryos from days 8-14 of embryogenesis. When separately cloned, these cells produced three types of colonies in culture: (1) Positive: all cells in the clone were terminally differentiated muscle cells; (2) negative: no cells in the clone were terminally differentiated muscle; (3) mixed: some cells in the clone were terminally differentiated muscle. Positive clones from all ages tended to contain 2n cells (n = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4). Negative clones were found in all sizes and did not cluster around powers of 2 in cell number. Mixed clones were, by far, the most common type among those clones larger than 24 in cell number. Estimates of cell numbers in embryonic muscle tissue revealed that, while the numbers of cells in all myogenic compartments increased steadily with embryonic age, the number and percentage of precursor cells that produced large mixed clones increased dramatically. Subclones, prepared from populations of cells equivalent to large mixed clones, yielded both small positive and large mixed colonies. This indicated that the precursors to the large mixed clones were also precursors to the smaller positive clones. These observations suggest a model for the myogenic lineage in which there exists a stem cell that can generate, by a series of asymmetric divisions, cohorts of terminally differentiated muscle cells. The model can explain the asynchrony of production of terminally differentiated muscle cells both in vitro and in vivo.     

Interactions between cadherin-11 and platelet-derived growth factor receptor-alpha signaling link cell adhesion and proliferation

Cadherins are homophilic cell-to-cell adhesion molecules that help cells respond to environmental changes. Newly formed cadherin junctions are associated with increased cell phosphorylation, but the pathways driving this signaling response are largely unknown. Since cadherins have no intrinsic signaling activity, this phosphorylation must occur through interactions with other signaling molecules. We previously reported that cadherin-11 engagement activates joint synovial fibroblasts, promoting inflammatory and degradative pathways important in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis. Our objective in this study was to discover interacting partners that mediate cadherin-11 signaling. Protein array screening showed that cadherin-11 extracellular binding domains linked to an Fc domain (cad11Fc) induced platelet-derived growth factor (PDGFR)-α phosphorylation in synovial fibroblasts and glioblastoma cells. PDGFRs are growth factor receptor tyrosine kinases that promote cell proliferation, survival, and migration in mesodermally derived cells. Increased PDGFR activity is implicated in RA pathology and associates with poor prognosis in several cancers, including sarcoma and glioblastoma. PDGFRα activation by cadherin-11 signaling promoted fibroblast proliferation, a signaling pathway independent from cadherin-11-stimulated IL-6 or matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3 release. PDGFRα phosphorylation mediated most of the cad11Fc-induced phosphatidyl-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt activation, but only part of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) response. PDGFRα-dependent signaling did not require cell cadherin-11 expression. Rather, cad11Fc immunoprecipitated PDGFRα, indicating a direct interaction between cadherin-11 and PDGFRα extracellular domains. This study is the first to report an interaction between cadherin-11 and PDGFRα and adds to our growing understanding that cadherin-growth factor receptor interactions help balance the interplay between tissue growth and adhesion.     

利用SSR标记定位明恢63的2对恢复基因

选取珍汕97A和明恢63杂交组合的F2高可育和高不育单株构建基因池,利用302对SSR引物对其进行了多态性分析。结果表明,位于第1染色体上的RM1和位于第10染色体上的RM258,RM304在亲本,基因池间表现多态性,用F2单株验证证明它们与野败型恢复基因连锁,完全不育株分析表明,与恢复基因间的遗传距离分别为1.9,2.9和0.0cM,野败型,红莲型,BT型3种不育胞质恢复基因在第10染色体上可能为同一基因或家族成员。     

Regional Ecological Risk Assessment of a Near Shore Marine Environment: Cherry Point,WA

We conducted a regional ecological risk assessment for a near shore marine environment in northwestern Washington State using the Relative Risk Model. The objectives of this study were threefold: (1) to analyze cumulative impacts from multiple sources of chemical and non-chemical stressors in the near shore region and upland watersheds of Cherry Point (2) to determine the utility of Monte Carlo type uncertainty analysis in a rank-based regional risk assessment and (3) to investigate the effects of model habitat characterization on risk estimates. We used geographic information systems to compile and compare spatial data to determine ranks for sub-regions within the study area. By quantitatively combining ranks with exposure and effects filters, we estimated total relative risk between sub-regions and relative contributions of stressors. Finally, we used Monte Carlo analysis and an alternative ranking scheme to evaluate the effects of model and parameter uncertainty on risk predictions. The regional risk assessment results suggest the major contributors of risk are vessel traffic, upland urban and agricultural land use and shoreline recreational activities. This assessment demonstrated the applicability of regional risk assessment to marine near shore regions and the benefit of Monte Carlo analysis in describing uncertainty in a Relative Risk Model regional risk assessment.     

Spatial distribution of benthic algae in the Gangqu River,Shangrila, China

This study consisted of sampling benthic algae at 32 sites in the Gangqu River, an important upstream tributary of the Yangtze River. Our aims were to characterize the benthic algae communities and relationships with environmental variables. Among the 162 taxa observed, Achnanthes linearis and Achnanthes lanceolata var. elliptica were the dominant species (17.10% and 14.30% of the total relative abundance, respectively). Major gradients and principal patterns of variation within the environmental variables were detected by principal component analysis (PCA). Then non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMS) divided all the sites into three groups, which were validated by multi-response permutation procedures (MRPP). Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) indicated that three environmental variables (TN, TDS, and TP) significantly affected the distribution of benthic algae. Weighted averaging regression and cross-calibration produced strong models for predicting TN and TDS concentration, which enabled selection of algae taxa as potentially sensitive indicators of certain TN and TDS levels: for TN, Achnanthes lanceolata, Achnanthes lanceolata var. elliptica, and Cymbella ventricosa var. semicircularis; for TDS, Cocconeis placentula, Cymbella alpina var. minuta, and Fragilaria virescens. The present study represents an early step in establishing baseline conditions. Further monitoring is suggested to gain a better understanding of this region.     

A Fusarium solani endophyte vs fungicides: Compatibility in a Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. radicis-lycopersici – tomato pathosystem

The potential of FsK, a non-pathogenic endophytic Fusarium solani strain, to be utilized as a biocontrol agent in combination with nine selected fungicides registered in tomato crops in Greece was evaluated. In vitro fungitoxicity tests revealed that FsK was insensitive to doses exceeding 100 μg/mL of thiophanate-methyl, fenhexamid, cyprodinil, boscalid and mancozeb. On the contrary, prochloraz, fludioxonil, pyraclostrobin and difenoconazole were most toxic to FsK. None of the later fungicides affected conidial production in an adverse way. Drenching of tomato plants with the above fungicides at recommended doses did not significantly affect colonization of tomato roots by FsK as revealed by in vitro isolation and Real Time PCR quantification. The disease suppressive ability of FsK against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.radicis lycopersici (FORL) was not adversely affected by the post-inoculation application of commercial formulations of fludioxonil (Switch) and pyraclostrobin (Comet) at the recommended doses. Even more, the Comet–FsK combination resulted in enhanced disease suppression compared to either of the two treatments applied individually. In conclusion, not only biocontrol agent FsK is suitable for use in tomato integrated disease management programs that include all tested fungicides but also, some FsK –fungicide combinations can have additive effect against FORL disease incidence.     

Biflavones of the subfamily callitroideae,cupressaceae

Twenty species, including representatives of all 11 genera of the Callitroideae, were examined for biflavonoid content of the leafy twigs. The major biflavonoids are based on amentoflavone, cupressuflavone and hinokiflavone. Their uneven distribution amongst the genera allows the distinction of five groups. These do not correlate strongly with currently recognized tribal groupings. The affinities of these genera are discussed.     

Phosphoramidate derivates as controlled-release prodrugs of l-Dopa

l-Dopa has continued to be a mainstay in the symptomatic treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, extensive peripheral metabolism, a short systemic circulation half-life and development of motor complications called dyskinesia prevents its long-term utilization as a PD therapeutic. Herein, we report a series of phosphoramidate derivatives of l-Dopa and controlled release of l-Dopa at pH 7.4 and 3. The kinetic data for the release of l-Dopa support our hypothesis that a proximal carboxylic acid can promote the pH-triggered hydrolysis of the phosphoramidate PN bond. As expected, esterification of the proximal carboxylic acid protects the scaffold from rapid release at low pH. This latter observation is particularly noteworthy as it suggests that the phosphoramidate-based l-Dopa?conjugate scaffold can be adapted for oral administration as an ester prodrug.