Exome sequencing identifies MAX mutations as a cause of hereditary pheochromocytoma

Hereditary pheochromocytoma (PCC) is often caused by germline mutations in one of nine susceptibility genes described to date, but there are familial cases without mutations in these known genes. We sequenced the exomes of three unrelated individuals with hereditary PCC (cases) and identified mutations in MAX, the MYC associated factor X gene. Absence of MAX protein in the tumors and loss of heterozygosity caused by uniparental disomy supported the involvement of MAX alterations in the disease. A follow-up study of a selected series of 59 cases with PCC identified five additional MAX mutations and suggested an association with malignant outcome and preferential paternal transmission of MAX mutations. The involvement of the MYC-MAX-MXD1 network in the development and progression of neural crest cell tumors is further supported by the lack of functional MAX in rat PCC (PC12) cells and by the amplification of MYCN in neuroblastoma and suggests that loss of MAX function is correlated with metastatic potential.     

Emerging topics and new perspectives on HLA-G

Following the Fifth International Conference on non-classical HLA-G antigens (HLA-G), held in Paris in July 2009, we selected some topics which focus on emerging aspects in the setting of HLA-G functions. In particular, HLA-G molecules could play a role in: (1) various inflammatory disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, intracerebral hemorrhage, gastrointestinal, skin and rheumatic diseases, and asthma, where they may act as immunoregulatory factors; (2) the mechanisms to escape immune surveillance utilized by several viruses, such as human cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus type 1, rabies virus, hepatitis C virus, influenza virus type A and human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1); and (3) cytokine/chemokine network and stem cell transplantation, since they seem to modulate cell migration by the downregulation of chemokine receptor expression and mesenchymal stem cell activity blocking of effector cell functions and the generation of regulatory T cells. However, the immunomodulatory circuits mediated by HLA-G proteins still remain to be clarified.     

基于逻辑选择脉冲时滞动力系统的稳定性分析

为了使动力系统在稳定性分析上更具有一般化,能更加精确实际地刻画自然现象;针对具有逻辑选择脉冲效应的时滞动力系统,提出此系统的全局指数稳定性分析问题,可在一定程度上推广一般脉冲时滞动力系统的稳定性分析;通过引入具有逻辑选择脉冲效应的时滞非线性动力系统,并利用半张量积将该动力系统中的逻辑函数转换为代数状态空间表示,再建立脉冲型 Halanay 微分不等式来估计该动力系统中线性系统部分的 Cauchy 矩阵; 基于此,对向量和函数给出了4个假设条件,得到在逻辑选择脉冲控制下的非线性时滞系统的零解全局指数稳定性判定依据,且证明了此动力系统的指数收敛率为 λ-η。     

基于数据素养的数据库系列课程教学改革研究

新工科背景下高等工程教育改革进入新阶段,数据素养日显重要。传统的数据库课程体系不够完善,培养意识不够明确。基于此,根据新工科背景下应用型本科人才培养目标,提出结合数据素养理念进行教学改革的思路和具体实践措施。根据“二线并行、逐层递进”的模式重新规划课程体系结构,加大实践教学的比重,形成以数据素养指标体系和评价体系来指导教学的方法,并完善课程教学资源,设计多样性实践考核方式,有效地促进学生学习的积极性,实现数据素养与数据库系列课程相融合的教学改革新模式,为提升应用型本科课程教学质量提供借鉴和方法。     

基于翻转课堂的大学计算机基础课程教学模式研究

大学计算机基础课程是一门重要的基础课程,但因当前高等院校存在生源复杂、学生水平参差不齐等问题,实际教学效果不尽如人意。分析了当前大学计算机基础课程改革面临的新挑战,探讨了基于翻转课堂的教学新模式,使学生在通过自主学习完成对知识的深度掌握。通过问卷调查和对比研究,证明该模式在一定程度上提高了学生学习兴趣,有利于知识的吸收,提高了教学质量,获得了较好的教学效果。