MicroPNA-21 promotes proliferation of rat Schwann cells following nerve injury

AIM: To investigate the molecular mechanism of microRNA-21 (miR-21) in the regulation of Schwann cell proliferation following nerve injury. METHODS: The expression of miR-2l was detected by real-time PCR. Synthetic miR-21 mimic and its control were transfected into rat Schwann cells. CCK-8 assay was performed to evaluate the influence of miR-21 on the proliferation of Schwann cells. The cell cycle distribution was determined by flow cytometry. The expression of transforming growth factor β-induced protein (TGFBI) and cyclin D1 were detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: The expression of miR-21 in model group was 7.87±0.75 and 7.75±0.80 times higher than that in sham operation group and blank group respectively. After transfected with miR-21 mimic, the expression of miR-21 in experimental group was 2.21±0.14 and 2.29±0.21 times higher than that in negative control group and blank group respectively. Moreover, the A₄₅₀ value of CCK-8 assay in experimental group at 48 h was higher than that in negative control group and blank group. The proliferation index in experimental group was higher than that in negative control group and blank group. At the same time, the expression of TGFBI obviously decreased and the cyclin D1 increased in the Schwann cells 48 h after transfection with miR-21. CONCLUSION: miR-21 promotes the proliferation activity of Schwann cells by down-regulating TGFBI expression.     

玉米杂种优势类群划分高多态SSR引物筛选

【目的】 研究玉米杂种优势类群划分高多态SSR引物筛选。【方法】 遴选均匀分布在玉米10个连锁群上160对SSR引物,在104份玉米自交系DNA中扩增,根据引物的染色体分布和PIC值,分别取40、30、20和10对高多态引物建立4套新引物体系,检测104份自交系的分类效果。【结果】 (1)160对引物中的63对引物带型稳定,多态性高,最高PIC值0.762 3,高于过去常用核心SSR引物,63对引物中过去常用核心SSR引物仅保留40%左右;(2)4套引物体系中,40和30对引物体系的分类结果与已知自交系类群高度吻合,20对体系与40对体系比较具90.5%一致性,10对体系与40对体系比较的一致性81.0%;(3)40对体系分类104份材料为5大类群,分别是瑞德、改良瑞德、兰卡斯特、黄改和和旅大红骨,与目前国内利用的优势群划分结果一致,也能鉴别出每个群中亲缘关系最远的亚群是相近群间二环系来源的混合基因型;(4) 各群的代表自交系是单一遗传结构成分,亚群是多遗传结构成分。【结论】 部分SSR引物的多态性在新自交系中会出现下降,建立的新的40对引物体系有精确的分类功能,可应用于类群划分,20对体系的分类精确性稍低,但检测工作量减半,在批量材料分类中有利用价值。     

A comparison of predictions made by three simulation models of foot-and-mouth disease

AIMS: To describe results of a relative validation exercise using the three simulation models of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in use by the quadrilateral countries (QUADS; Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and United States of America; USA).

METHODS: A hypothetical population of farms was constructed and, following the introduction of an FMD-like disease into a single farm, spread of disease was simulated using each of the three FMD simulation models used by the QUADS countries. A series of 11 scenarios was developed to systematically evaluate the key processes of disease transmission and control used by each of the three models. The predicted number of infected units and the size of predicted outbreak areas for each scenario and each model were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Agreement among the three models in terms of geographical areas predicted to become infected were quantified using Fleiss' Kappa statistic.

RESULTS: Although there were statistically significant differences in model outputs in terms of the numbers of units predicted to become infected, the temporal onset of infection throughout the simulation period, and the spatial distribution of infected units, these differences were generally small and would have resulted in the same (or similar) management decisions being adopted in each case.

CONCLUSIONS: Agreement among the three models in terms of the numbers of premises predicted to become infected, the temporal onset of infection throughout the simulation period, and the spatial distribution of infected premises provides evidence that each of the model developers are consistent in their approach to simulating the spread of disease throughout a population of susceptible individuals. This consistency implies that the assumptions taken by each development team are appropriate, which in turn serves to increase end-user confidence in model predictions.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Relative validation is one of a number of steps that can be undertaken to increase end-user confidence in predictions made by infectious disease models.     

Surface-active phospholipid (surfactant) in equine tendon and tendon sheath fluid

AIM: To investigate the presence of surface-active phospholipid (SAPL, or surfactant) in equine tendon and tendon sheath fluid.

METHODS: The left front flexor tendon and sheath were removed from five Thoroughbred horses. Phospholipid was extracted from tendon sheath fluid using Folch reagent and quantifi ed using spectroscopy. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe the tendon surfaces.

RESULTS: The presence of phospholipid (90.6 (SD 4.3) μg/ml) in tendon sheath fluid, plus the appearance of oligolamellar layers and lamellar bodies on the tendon surface were indicative of SAPL.

CONCLUSIONS: Evidence of SAPL was found in equine tendon, and may have a similar lubricating function as reported for synovial joints.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These findings may have important implications for normal tendon function and possible therapeutic adjuncts for tendon and tendon sheath injuries.     

长江宜昌至城陵矶江段鱼类资源现状及物种多样性研究

2010—2011年分别于3月、7月和10月在宜昌、荆州和城陵矶江段对长江中游鱼类资源进行了调查,共采集到鱼类58种,隶属于7目14科,其中鲤科鱼类最多,有36种,占总种类数的62.1%。鲢(Hypophthalmich-thys molitrix)、鲤(Cyprinus carpio)、草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)和南方鲇(Silurus meridionalis)依次占了渔获总量的前4位。但青鱼(Mylopharyngodon piceus)、草鱼、鲢、鳙(Aristichthys nobilis)等的数量比重却低于野杂鱼(Hemiculter leucisclus)。宜昌、荆州、城陵矶江段,生物多样性指数和物种丰富度指数依次下降,3个江段的物种优势度指数存在一定差异。主要鱼类生物学统计表明,城陵矶江段部分鱼类平均体长和体重,草鱼分别下降了60%和95%,鲢下降了50%和80%。长江中游鱼类资源呈现出低龄化和小型化的趋势,其中铜鱼变化最为明显,资源衰退情况非常严重。     

乳液聚合法制备染料隐色体热敏型微胶囊

采用乳液聚合法,以甲基丙烯酸甲酯和超支化不饱和聚(酰胺-酯)为壁材,染料隐色体为芯材制备了热敏型微胶囊。研究了反应条件对微胶囊粒径、包覆率的影响。采用扫描电镜,激光粒度分析仪和紫外-可见分光光度计进行分析,结果表明,所制备的微胶囊分散性好,粒径分布窄,并具有良好的热敏性能。     

小麦雄性不育系绒毡层异常代谢与小孢子败育的关系

【目的】研究小麦遗传型雄性不育系花药绒毡层降解及营养物质代谢,并揭示其与花粉败育的关系。【方法】以小麦S型1376不育系[(S)-1376(A)]及其保持系[(A)-1376(B)]为试材,在三核期分别用DAPI和KI-I2对花粉粒内淀粉积累进行染色观察;采用半薄切片技术对不育系(S)-1376和保持系1376绒毡层发育过程及多糖、脂类和蛋白等物质积累进行观察和比较;采用软件cellSens Entry和IPP 6.0分别计算图片中小孢子和绒毡层细胞的面积及分析各发育时期图像中的平均光密度值。【结果】与保持系1376比较,(S)-1376花粉粒被KI-I2染成浅黄色,表明三核期其花粉中无淀粉积累,花粉败育彻底;不育系(S)-1376绒毡层较保持系1376绒毡层细胞提前至四分体时期启动细胞程序化死亡（PCD）过程;不育系(S)-1376花粉核发育迟缓,大多发育至单核晚期停止分裂,仅少数可发育至二核期;(S)-1376小孢子在四分体时期和单核早期显著增大;绒毡层细胞在四分体时期也显著大于保持系1376绒毡层细胞。在(S)-1376花粉的发育过程中,除四分体时期外,其余各时期多糖含量（呈红色）均低于保持系对应的各发育时期,不育系(S)-1376绒毡层中多糖在四分体时期多于保持系,在单核早期显著降低。在花粉整个发育过程中,不育系(S)-1376花粉中被染成黑色脂类的含量明显低于保持系,不育系绒毡层中的脂类含量在各个时期也低于保持系。不育系(S)-1376小孢子母细胞四分体时期被染成蓝色的蛋白含量很高,但单核晚期显著降低;在绒毡层细胞中单核早期蛋白含量显著低于保持系,这可能暗示该时期保持系绒毡层开始启动降解。在花粉发育整个过程中保持系1376小孢子母细胞中四分体时期多糖和蛋白的含量都低于不育系(S)-1376,这可能与该时期不育系绒毡层提前降解需要大量的多糖和蛋白有关;单核晚期小孢子中的多糖、脂类和蛋白含量高于不育系,该时期是正常小孢子发育的关键时期,不育系中各种物质供应不足可能是导致花粉败育的主要原因。在二核期和三核期,不育系(S)-1376花粉营养细胞中大液泡不消失,细胞质内含物也不持续增加,淀粉粒、脂类等物质积累终止,最终导致小孢子内没有内含物的积累,呈空壳晶体状。【结论】小麦S型1376A不育系花药绒毡层提前降解所诱发的物质异常代谢,使小孢子在由单核晚期向二核期发育的过程中物质供应不足导致细胞核分裂异常,最终引起花粉败育。     

新疆北部牧区雪冰灾害指数和危险性评估

根据雪冰气候事件的聚合、权重和牧业灾害损失的关系,通过[WTBX]H、L[WTBZ]指数分析,研究了新疆北部的雪冰灾害特征和危险性。研究认为,雪冰灾害具有链状结构,灾害强度与雪冰气候事件权重、聚合度有关。基于信息扩散理论,对雪冰灾害危险性进行分析评估,新疆北部雪冰灾害分布,总体呈西北─东南向带状分布,西低东高,南低北高,低山丘陵高于平原,厚积雪区域高于薄积雪区域。