Molecular mechanism of abnormal aggresation of α-synuclein

The abnormal aggregation of α-synuclein （α-Syn） is thought to be closely associated with Parkinson＇s disease, but the pathogenesis is still unclear. In this review, we survey the latest development in the molecular mechanism of abnormal α-Syn aggregation, especially in the aspects of the core sequences, aggregation inhibitors, structural transformation and filament morphologies. By exploring the mechanism of α-Syn aggregation, we will have a better understanding of the disease pathogenesis, and develop strategies for preventing and treating this severe disease.     

Three-dimensional recon- struction and analysis of structure characteristics on senile plaques of Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer‘s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the presence of senile plaques primarily composed of amyloid β in brain. Abnor-mal secretion and aggregation of amyloid β are the key events in pathogenesis of Alzheimer‘s disease. Reduction of amyloid β production and inhibition of amyloid β aggregation to form senile plaques are hopeful strategies for the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer‘s disease. In the present study, the silver and immunohistochemical staining methods were applied to discover senile plaques in the hippocampus of Alzheimer‘s disease patients, and then images were processed and three-dimensionally reconstructed by Matlab and AVS software. The structure characteristics of senile plaques were measured through correlation function calculation and fractal dimension by a computer-aided method. Diffuse plaque had no amyloid center, but classic plaque presented compact central core structure; two types of plaques were both of porous structure, but the sizes of their pores were significantly different. Furthermore, there was difference in fractal dimension value between the diffuse plaque and classic plaque in the two staining methods. The comparison of structure characteristics between two types of plaques indicated that they developed independently. Establishment of the methods for reconstructing the three-dimensional structure of senile plaque and analyzing their structure characteristics is helpful for further study on the aggregation mechanism of senile plaque.     

Effect of Ab_(1-40) on membrane permeability and intracellular free Ca~(2+) of nerve cells

Alzheimers disease (AD) is a kind of progressive neurodegenerative disease, characterized by intracellularfibrillar tangles and extracellular senile plaques, the main component of the plaques are b-amyloid (Ab), composed of 3943 amino acids[1]. Glenner and Wong first isolated Ab peptide and determined the sequence in 1984, after-wards, a series of researches were done on its production, structure determination, aggregation, hydrophobicity, re-ceptor and cell toxicity. Ab is the abnormal fiss…     

Some Properties of α-Subsets

In this paper, the concept of α - subsets is introduced in a lattice implication algebra and some properties are discussed. Then we prove that an α- subset is a lattice ideal of L. In the end, we discuss the properties of annihilator.     

Development in the research of molecular mechanism of Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a kind of central nervous system disease. The cause of AD is unclear. It is found that the remarkable histopathological characters of AD are senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. β-amyloid plays an important role in the formation of senile plaques and the abnormal phosphorylation of Tau protein is the main reason of neurofibrillary tangles. Apolipoprotein E is correlated to AD' s access, and the third pathological character-AMY plaque perhaps represents a new cause of AD. Presenlin and proteinaceous infectious particles are also related with AD. A summary of molecular mechanism for AD and the development of research is presented.     

Abnormal high pressure in Kuqa foreland thrust belt of Tarim basin: Origin and impacts on hydrocarbon accumulation

Following analyses of the abnormal high pressure distribution characteristics, based on the geological characteristics, tectonic stress field and physical simulation, we investigated the formation mechanisms of abnormal high pressure and its impacts on hydrocarbon accumulation in the Kuqa foreland thrust belt. The abnormal high pressure appears at the bottom of the Paleogene and obviously exists in the Triassic and Jurassic. However, the pressure coefficient in the Triassic and Jurassic is lower than that in the Cretaceous and at the bottom of the Paleogene. Horizontally, the abnormal high pressure distribution is characterized by E-W orientation zoning. The maximum pressure coefficient lies in the Kelasu-Dongqiu-Dina tectonic zones in the center of the Kuqa foreland thrust belt and decreases away from the tectonic zones. The formation of abnormal high pressure was mainly related with the intense tectonic compression in the Early Pleistocene time, and tectonic uplifting, undercompaction and hydrocarbon generation were secondary factors contributing to abnormal high pressure. Under the rapid and intense tectonic compression in the Early Pleistocene, the rock framework firstly undertook 1/4 of the compression stress and the other was borne by the pore fluids. Due to the presence of great seal of gypsum-salt or gypsum-mudstone beds in the Paleogene, the pressure of pore fluids increased rapidly and led to the abnormal high pressure in the Kuqa foreland thrust belt. The abnormal high pressure has important impacts on hydrocarbon accumulation. It is one of the necessary conditions for formation of large oil and gas fields in the Kuqa foreland thrust belt.     

Synthesis and Spectrum Characteristic of the Inclusion Complex of β-CD and Pyridine-CuI

The β-Cyclodextrin consists of seven D-glucopyranoside units, which are linked by α-1, 4-glycosidic linkages. The shape of CD can be presented as a truncated cone. Its inner is hydrophobic and exterior is hydrophilic for the aggregation of the hydroxyl groups, which results in cyclodextrin to have the ability of inclusion different compounds.     

Parameterized Algorithmics for Computational Social Choice：Nine Research Challenges

Computational Social Choice is an interdisciplinary research area involving Economics, Political Science,and Social Science on the one side, and Mathematics and Computer Science（including Artificial Intelligence and Multiagent Systems） on the other side. Typical computational problems studied in this field include the vulnerability of voting procedures against attacks, or preference aggregation in multi-agent systems. Parameterized Algorithmics is a subfield of Theoretical Computer Science seeking to exploit meaningful problem-specific parameters in order to identify tractable special cases of in general computationally hard problems. In this paper, we propose nine of our favorite research challenges concerning the parameterized complexity of problems appearing in this context. This work is dedicated to Jianer Chen, one of the strongest problem solvers in the history of parameterized algorithmics,on the occasion of his 60 th birthday.     

Comparative study on the effect of integrin αvβ3 on secretion of matrix metalloproteinases in human normal and carcinoma trophoblasts

The invasion of cytotrophoblast cells into the maternal endometrium during embryonic implantation is very similar to the metastasis of carcinoma cells. However, the significant difference is that the former is a highly controlled process. In this report, the effects of integrin αvβ3 on the secretion of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) were compared between normal cytotrophoblast cells and choriocarcinoma cells by RT-PCR, gelatin zymography and immunocytochemistry. The results reveal that both normal cytotrophoblast cells and choriocarcinoma cells can express integrin αvβ3. The secretion of MMPs in normal cytotrophoblast cells is up-regulated by anti-αvβ3 antibody, whereas, decreased in choriocarcinoma cells. It was suggested that αvβ3 can modulate the expression of MMPs in trophoblasts, and this action is carried out through distinct mechanisms in normal and carcinoma cytotrophoblast cells.     

Cu（Ⅱ） effect on the conformation of regenerated silk fibroin in dilute aqueous solution

Much attention has been paid to the natural mechanism of silkworm spinning due to the impressive mechanical properties of the natural fibers. In this work, we studied the effect of Cu（Ⅱ） ions on the secondary structure of Bombyx mori regenerated silk fibroin （SF） in dilute solution by circular dichroism （CD）. The results indicate that a given amount of Cu（Ⅱ） induces the SF conformational transition from random coil to β-sheet, however, further addition of Cu（Ⅱ） is unfavorable for this conversion. Meanwhile, the conformational changes induced by Cu（Ⅱ） follow a nucleation-dependent aggregation mechanism, which is similar to that found in Prion protein （PrP） denaturation and Aβ-peptide aggregations, leading to the neurodegenerative disease. This work would help one understand further the natural spinning process of silkworm. Additionally, it would be significant for the study of the nervous system diseases, because silk fibroin, extracted in large amounts from Bombyx mori silkworm gland, could be a proper model to study PrP denaturation and Aβ-peptide aggregations.     

Ciliated hepatic foregut cyst： report of first case in China and review of literature

Objective: To report the first case of ciliated hepatic foregut cyst in China, and review of literature to introduce the characteristics of this disease for doctors to recognize this disease.Method: Report the clinical procedure of diagnosis and treatment for the first case of ciliated hepatic foregut cyst in China, and to review the embryologic genesis, incidence,clinical manifestation, radiologic features and therapeutic principle of this disease. Results: We performed the resection for ciliated hepatic foregut cyst under laparoscopy; the patient recovered well after the procedure. Conclusion: Ciliated hepatic foregut cyst is quite rare clinically, belongs to non-parasitic,solitary and unilocular cystic lesion, is always less than 4cm in diameter, mostly seen in the left lobe, and has the tendency of malignant change. It should be removed as soon as diagnosed.     

Down-regulation of αGal epitopes by co-transfection of α1,3-galactosidase gene and α1,2–fucosyltransferase gene

Pig is considered the primary alternative species for xenotransplantation because of ethical considerations, breeding characteristics, infectious disease concerns, and its compatible size and physiology[1,2].A major barrier of pig-to-primate transplantation is the presence of terminal αGal epitopes on the surface of pig cells. αGal epitopes were formed by α1,3-galactosyltransferase (α1,3-GT) catalysis[3,4]. Humans and Old World monkeys have lost the corresponding α1,3-GT activity in th…     

Large-scale screening of disease model through ENU mutagenesis in mice

Manipulation of mouse genome has merged as one of the most important approaches for studying gene function and establishing the disease model because of the high homology between human genome and mouse genome.In this study, the chemical mutagen ethylnitrosourea (ENU) was employed for inducing germ cell mutations in male C57BL/6J mice. The first generation (G1) of the backcross of these mutated mice, totally 3172, was screened for abnormal phenotypes on gross morphology, behavior, learning and memory, auditory brainstem response (ABR), electrocardiogram (ECG), electroretinogram (ERG), flash-visual evoked potential (F-VEP), bone mineral density, and blood sugar level. 595 mice have been identified with specific dominant abnormalities. Fur color changes, eye defects and hearing loss occurred at the highest frequency. Abnormalities related to metabolism alteration are least frequent. Interestingly, eye defects displayed significant left-right asymmetry and sex preference. Sex preference is also observed in mice with abnormal bone mineral density. Among 104 G1 generation mutant mice examined for inheritability, 14 of them have been confirmed for passing abnormal phenotypes to their progenies. However, we did not observe behavior abnormalities of G1 mice to be inheritable, suggesting multi-gene control for these complicated functions in mice. In conclusion,the generation of these mutants paves the way for understanding molecular and cellular mechanisms of these abnormal phenotypes, and accelerates the cloning of diseaserelated genes.     

Cr/Mn偏析对高碳轴承钢珠光体–马氏体带状组织的影响分析

The effect of Cr/Mn segregation on the abnormal banded structure of high carbon bearing steel was studied by reheating and hot rolling. With the use of an optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, and electron probe microanalyzer, the segregation characteristics of alloying elements in cast billet and their relationship with hot-rolled plate banded structure were revealed. The formation causes of an abnormal banded structure and the elimination methods were analyzed. Results indicate the serious positive segregation of C, Cr, and Mn alloy elements in the billet. Even distribution of Cr/Mn elements could not be achieved after 10 h of heat preservation at 1200°C, and the spacing of the element aggregation area increased, but the segregation index of alloy elements decreased. Obvious alloying element segregation characteristics are present in the banded structure of the hot-rolled plate. This distinct white band is composed of martensitic phases. The formation of this abnormal pearlite–martensite banded structure is due to the interaction between the undercooled austenite transformation behavior of hot-rolled metal and the segregation of its alloying elements. Under the air cooling after rolling, controlling the segregation index of alloy elements can reduce or eliminate the abnormal banded structure.     

Self-aggregation of vapor-liquid phase transition

The concept of the molecular free path is introduced to derive a criterion distinguishing active molecules from inactive molecules in liquid phase. Based on molecular self-aggregation theory a concept of the critical aggregation concentration (CAC) of active molecules is proposed to describe the physical configuration before the formation of the nuclei in the process of vapor-liquid phase transition. All active molecules exist in the form of the monomer when the concentration of active molecules is lower than CAC, while the active molecules will generate aggregation once the concentration of the active molecules reaches CAC. However, these aggregates with the aggregation number N smaller than 5 can steadily exist in bulk phase. The other excess active molecules can only produce infinite aggregation and form a critical nucleus of vapor-liquid phase transition. Without outer perturbation the state point of CAC corresponds to the critical superheated or supercooled state in the process of vapor-liquid phase transition. With the aggregate property, the interfacial tension between the bulk phase and the tiny new phase is predicted and a correction is made for the classical nucleation rate in a quite good agreement with experimental results.     

Detection of a new mutation (1467-A) for the pedigree withmucopolysaccharidosis type Ⅱ from a Chinese family

Mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II) is a disabling, fatal monogenic disease caused by abnormal metabolism of the mucopolysaccharides[1]. Gene mutation is the basic cause of MPS II and investigation of the IDS gene muta-tion is the premise for prenatal gene diagnosis and gene therapy. MPS II is worldwide distributed with high inci-dence and serious results. To study the IDS gene of Chi-nese MPS II patients is important not only in carrying out one-family policy but also in upraisi…     

Investigation of an energy nonadditivity for nonextensive systems

We investigate the energy nonadditivity relationship E(AαB) = E(A) + E(B) + αE(A)E(B) which is often considered in the development of the statistical physics of nonextensive systems. It was recently found that α in this equation was not constant for a given system in a given situation and could not characterize nonextensivity for that system. In this work, we select several typical nonextensive systems and compute the behavior of α when a system changes its size or is divided into subsystems in different fashions. Three kinds of interactions are considered. It is found by a thought experiment that α depends on the system size and the interaction as expected and on the way we divide the system. However, one of the major results of this work is that, for given system, α has a minimum with respect to division position. Around this position, there is a zone in which α is more or less constant, a situation where the sizes of the subsystems are comparable. The width of this zone depends on the interaction and on the system size. We conclude that if α is considered approximately constant in this zone, the two mathematical difficulties raised in previous studies are solved, meaning that the nonadditive relationship can characterize the nonadditivity of the system as an approximation. In all the cases, α tends to zero in the thermodynamic limit (N→∞) as expected.     

Immune Recognition Method Based on Analogy Reasoning in Intrusion Detection System

In this paper, we propose an analogy based immune recognition method that focuses on the implement of the clone selection process and the negative selection process by means of analogy similarity. This method is applied in an IDS （Intrusion Detection System） following several steps. Firstly, the initial abnormal behaviours sample set is optimized through the combining of the AIS （Artificial Immune System） and the genetic algorithm. Then, the abnormity probability algorithm is raised considering the two sides of abnormality and normality. Finally, an intrusion detection system model is established based on the above algorithms and models.     

The Necessity of Variety of Textbook in Course Design

The existing textbook used in Intensive Reading class in English Department is not satisfactory according to an investi- gation made by the authors.Some investigations show:the texts are too easy,and monotonous both in content and style. Due to this,teachers also have the difficulty to teach this course in an interesting way.So suggestions should be made both on the change of textbook and teaching methods.Now we have to confront with an urging task:prosperity of textbooks is necessary and significant in course design and teaching reform.