The Potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cell in Prion Research

Scrapie and bovine spongiform encephalopathy are fatal neurodegenerative diseases caused by the accumulation of a misfolded protein (PrP^res), the pathological form of the cellular prion protein (PrP^C). For the last decades, prion research has greatly progressed, but many questions need to be solved about prion replication mechanisms, cell toxicity, differences in genetic susceptibility, species barrier or the nature of prion strains. These studies can be developed in murine models of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, although development of cell models for prion replication and sample titration could reduce economic and timing costs and also serve for basic research and treatment testing. Some murine cell lines can replicate scrapie strains previously adapted in mice and very few show the toxic effects of prion accumulation. Brain cell primary cultures can be more accurate models but are difficult to develop in naturally susceptible species like humans or domestic ruminants. Stem cells can be differentiated into neuron‐like cells and be infected by prions. However, the use of embryo stem cells causes ethical problems in humans. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be isolated from many adult tissues, including bone marrow, adipose tissue or even peripheral blood. These cells differentiate into neuronal cells, express PrP^C and can be infected by prions in vitro. In addition, in the last years, these cells are being used to develop therapies for many diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases. We review here the use of cell models in prion research with a special interest in the potential use of MSCs.     

基于语义分割与实例分割的玉米茎秆截面参数测量方法

茎秆微观结构与其力学性能密切相关,影响作物的抗倒伏性能。但作物茎秆微观表型参数难以通过人工方式获取,因此急需自动化的测量方法。本研究以玉米为材料,通过光学显微镜获得玉米茎秆横截面切片图像,基于深度学习架构融合ResNet和Unet构建语义分割Res-Unet网络模型,对截面表皮、周皮和髓区3个功能区域进行分割;针对维管束数量多、面积小、密度大的特点,以EfficientDet作为基础网络架构,根据维管束尺寸小的特性,减少双向特征图金字塔(BiFPN)的层数,达到提高推理速度、减少显存占用量的目的,同时添加掩膜分割分支,构造新的网络Eiff-BiFPN实现对维管束的分割。实验结果表明,功能区域分割的平均DICE达到88.17%;维管束分割的AP₅₀和AP_50:70分别达到88.78%和72.80%。根据分割结果,可以获得玉米茎秆截面尺寸、各功能区域尺寸和维管束数量、面积等微观结构参数。本文方法具有精确性、实时性和可用性,可用于玉米茎秆微观结构参数的自动化测定,为作物抗倒伏研究提供技术基础。     

蓖麻植株力学特性试验研究

为研究蓖麻力学条件,对蓖麻的果—柄接点、茎—柄接点和茎秆不同生长部位的抗拉特性、抗弯特性进行力学测试。结果表明：成熟期果—柄抗拉力和抗拉强度分别为3.31～6.74 N、3.48～8.31 MPa,收获期果—柄抗拉力和抗拉强度分别为1.90～4.15 N、2.42～5.28 MPa;茎—柄抗拉力和抗拉强度分别为15.78～37.07 N、19.70～3466 MPa;茎秆的抗拉力、弹性模量和抗拉强度分别为56.99～130.42 N、160.99～203.80 MPa、2850～65.21 MPa,茎秆的抗弯力、弯曲截面模量和抗弯强度分别为15.20～91.04 N、31.53～173.07 MPa、19.27～21.04 MPa。分析试验结果可知,果—柄连结强度与茎—柄连结强度、茎秆抗拉强度及抗弯强度之间存在显著性差异,证明在采摘过程中蓖麻果—柄接点更易分离,其次是茎—柄接点,通过合理设计采摘部件工作参数,可以实现只采收蓖麻蒴果,而较少破坏茎秆。     

Localization of putative pituitary stem/progenitor cells in female dairy cattle

Research on sex-determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2)-positive pituitary stem/progenitor cells, as a source of hormone-producing cells, is progressing rapidly in rodents. However, the stem/progenitor cells supplying hormone-producing cells that are essential for growth, reproduction, and lactation in bovines have not yet been identified. In this study, we characterized SOX2-positive cells in the pituitary gland of dairy cattle (Holstein heifers) after sexual maturity. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that the localization pattern of SOX2-positive cells in the dairy cattle pituitary gland was similar to that observed in the rodent pituitary gland; the marginal cell layer (MCL), dense cell clusters, and single cells scattered in the parenchyma of the anterior lobe. Furthermore, most of the SOX2-positive cells were positive for the pituitary stem/progenitor cell niche markers E-cadherin and cytokeratin 8+18, which have been reported in rodents. In addition, in the MCL of the anterior lobe, there was a subpopulation of SOX2-positive cells positive for paired-related homeobox 1 and 2, whereas negative for S100β. Moreover, in the parenchyma of the anterior lobe, co-localization of SOX2 and pituitary hormones was infrequent. In summary, this study reveals the localization of putative pituitary stem/progenitor cells positive for SOX2 in dairy cattle. These results provide valuable information to support further investigation of cell supply in the dairy cattle pituitary gland.     

3种植物提取物对小麦茎秆性状、光合特性及产量的影响

【目的】研究苦豆子(Sophraalopecuroides)、孜然(Cuminum cyminum)、苦草(Vallisneria natans)3种植物甲醇提取物对小麦的生长调节作用,为新型植物源生长调节剂的研制提供依据。【方法】选用春小麦品种新春44号为材料,以清水处理为对照,将苦豆子、孜然和苦草甲醇提取物浸膏分别制备成3种不同浓度(1%、0.1%、0.01%)的溶液,于小麦拔节前期连续喷施3次,分析小麦株高等茎秆性状、光合特性及产量等相关指标的影响;采用主成分分析法,筛选并评价植物提取物的生物活性。【结果】0.01%苦豆子甲醇提取物处理后,小麦基部第1、2、3节间长度分别降低27.8%、13.4%、4.5%;茎粗分别增加9.4%、16.1%、14.3%;基部3节IAA含量提高16.2%;基部3节ABA含量降低7.9%;株高降低5.6%;旗叶净光合速率增加3.9%;旗叶SPAD值增加6.2%;千粒重、籽粒重量、容重分别增加2.8%、24.7%和3.6%。0.01%苦豆子处理效果显著优于其他处理组。【结论】苦豆子、孜然和苦草3种低浓度甲醇提取物对小麦均具有不同程度的生长调控作用,能缩短节间长度和增加茎粗,增强小麦抗倒伏能力,降低小麦株高的作用,改善田间的通风透光条件,提高旗叶光合作用,提高光能利用率和作物产量。0.01%苦豆子处理效果最优,0.01%孜然甲醇提取物次之。     

利用多时序激光点云数据提取棉花表型参数方法

当前,能够实现作物表型参数高效、准确的测量和作物生育期表型参数的动态量化研究是表型研究和育种中亟待解决的问题之一。本研究以棉花为研究对象,采用三维激光扫描LiDAR技术获取棉花植株的多时序点云数据,针对棉花植株主干的几何特性,利用随机抽样一致算法（RANSAC）结合直线模型完成主干提取,并对剩余的点云进行区域增长聚类,实现各叶片的分割;在此基础上,完成植株体积、株高、叶长、叶宽等性状参数的估计。针对多时序棉花激光点云数据,采用匈牙利算法完成相邻时序作物点云数据的对齐、叶片器官对应关系的建立。同时,对各植株表型参数动态变化过程进行了量化。本研究针对3株棉花的4个生长点的点云数据,分别完成了主干提取、叶片分割,以及表型参数测量和动态量化。试验结果表明,本研究所采用的主干提取及叶片分割方法能够实现棉花的枝干和叶片分割。提取的株高、叶长、叶宽等表型参数与人工测量值的决定系数均趋近于1.0;同时,本研究实现了棉花表型参数的动态量化过程,为三维表型技术的实现提供了一种有效的方法。     

湖北太子山不同林分对降雨的截留作用研究

本文在湖北太子山选取柏木纯林、马尾松纯林、麻栎五角枫混交林、柏木红果冬青混交林和马尾松红果冬青混交林共5种林分作为研究对象,采用天然降雨监测的方法,研究5种林分林分林冠层、灌草层和枯落物层分别对降雨的截留作用。结果表明林场中阔叶混交林的水源涵养能力最强,其次为针阔混交林,最差的是针叶纯林。     

Evaluation of adverse reactions in dogs following intravenous mesenchymal stem cell transplantation

Background

Recent studies have assessed the therapeutic potential and drawbacks of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The adverse reactions of intravenous transplantation of bone marrow (BM)-derived MSCs were examined at varying doses and frequencies of administration.Nine healthy beagle dogs were purchased from a commercial laboratory. The dogs were distributed equally (n = 3 per group) and randomly into three groups. All dogs received allogeneic BM-derived MSCs: 2 × 10⁶ once (group A), 2 × 10⁷ once (group B), and 2 × 10⁶ for three consecutive days (group C). Various laboratory examinations, multi-detector computed tomography features and histopathology were evaluated to clarify the clinical and diagnostic features of adverse reactions of MSCs administration, prior to receiving MSCs (pre procedure) and on days 1, 3, and 7 post transplantation.

Results

Only one dog had clinical signs during and after MSCs transplantation. Dogs receiving 2 × 10⁶ MSCs showed increased numbers of lymphocytes but the total white blood cell counts were not elevated (P < 0.01). Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) revealed pulmonary parenchymal changes in one dog and histopathologic examination revealed pulmonary parenchymal edema and hemorrhage in four dogs. The presence of pulmonary thromboembolism was not detected in either examination.

Conclusions

We considered the presence of pulmonary edema and hemorrhage as possible adverse reactions after intravenous MSCs transplantation; however these results should be cautiously interpreted.     

Use of stem cells in equine musculoskeletal disorders

Stem cell therapies for musculoskeletal disorders are becoming commonplace in the horse. In order to decipher the many options available for stem cell therapy and interpret results of accumulating experimental and clinical data, practitioners should have a basic understanding of stem cells.     

一种芦笋茎枯病防治喷头的试验研究

为促进本地区芦笋种植业规模化发展,提高芦笋种植产量,减少芦笋茎枯病防治用工成本,提出一种喷雾器喷头。采用该喷头进行施药,可以代替人工涂抹施药方式。对该喷头进行了试验研究,研究结果显示,3喷头喷雾器能明显降低芦笋茎枯病防治用工投入,且具有一定的茎枯病防治能力,在一定程度上可以替代人工涂茎作业,为芦笋规模化种植提供了基础。