Prediction of the structure of a receptor-protein complex using a binary docking method.

To validate procedures of rational drug design, it is important to develop computational methods that predict binding sites between a protein and a ligand molecule. Many small molecules have been tested using such programs, but examination of protein-protein and peptide-protein interactions has been sparse. We were able to test such applications once the structures of both the maltose-binding protein (MBP) and the ligand-binding domain of the aspartate receptor, which binds MBP, became available. Here we predict the binding site of MBP to its receptor using a 'binary docking' technique in which two MBP octapeptide sequences containing mutations that eliminate maltose chemotaxis are independently docked to the receptor. The peptides in the docked solutions superimpose on their original positions in the structure of MBP and allow the formation of an MBP-receptor complex. The consistency of the computational and biological results supports this approach for predicting protein-protein and peptide-protein interactions.     

Targeted disruption of the mouse transforming growth factor-beta 1 gene results in multifocal inflammatory disease.

Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) is a multifunctional growth factor that has profound regulatory effects on many developmental and physiological processes. Disruption of the TGF-beta 1 gene by homologous recombination in murine embryonic stem cells enables mice to be generated that carry the disrupted allele. Animals homozygous for the mutated TGF-beta 1 allele show no gross developmental abnormalities, but about 20 days after birth they succumb to a wasting syndrome accompanied by a multifocal, mixed inflammatory cell response and tissue necrosis, leading to organ failure and death. TGF-beta 1-deficient mice may be valuable models for human immune and inflammatory disorders, including autoimmune diseases, transplant rejection and graft versus host reactions.     

Mechanism for the learning deficits in a mouse model of neurofibromatosis type 1.

Neurofibromatosis type I (NF1) is one of the most common single-gene disorders that causes learning deficits in humans. Mice carrying a heterozygous null mutation of the Nfl gene (Nfl(+/-) show important features of the learning deficits associated with NF1 (ref. 2). Although neurofibromin has several known properties and functions, including Ras GTPase-activating protein activity, adenylyl cyclase modulation and microtubule binding, it is unclear which of these are essential for learning in mice and humans. Here we show that the learning deficits of Nf1(+/-) mice can be rescued by genetic and pharmacological manipulations that decrease Ras function. We also show that the Nf1(+/-) mice have increased GABA (gamma-amino butyric acid)-mediated inhibition and specific deficits in long-term potentiation, both of which can be reversed by decreasing Ras function. Our results indicate that the learning deficits associated with NF1 may be caused by excessive Ras activity, which leads to impairments in long-term potentiation caused by increased GABA-mediated inhibition. Our findings have implications for the development of treatments for learning deficits associated with NF1.     

An Ig-A-like substance in the chicken's pineal

Summary Immunohistochemistry revealed an Ig-A-like substance on the luminal surface of the pineal follicles and in the parafollicular layer. This substance was observed around 1 week of age and disappeared by 8 weeks at the time when the transformation of the follicular pattern leads to an adult-type pineal tissue.     

Statecharts for Distributed Product Data Management System Modelling

Product data management (PDM) has been accepted as an important tool for the manufacturing industries. In recent years, more and mor e researches have been conducted in the development of PDM. Their research area s include system design, integration of object-oriented technology, data distri bution, collaborative and distributed manufacturing working environment, secur ity, and web-based integration. However, there are limitations on their rese arches. In particular, they cannot cater for PDM in dis...     

基于离散搜索神经网络的数字调制类型识别

采用组合神经网络的离散搜索算法对通信信号的调制类型进行分类 ,在保证足够识别率的前提下 ,减少训练时间方面取得了较好效果 .仿真实验结果证明了此方法的有效性 .     

试论《化学教学论》教材的修订——从六大类中学化学教材内容的编排顺序谈起

现行《化学教学论》教材将典型教学示例放在化学教学原则之后，致使整本教材缺乏逻辑性，不符合当前创新能力培养的要求，不利于坚定师范生从事教育事业的信心，笔者认为应先讲教学示例、后授教学原则。     

纳米聚合物复合材料开发与技术

简述了聚合物 /纳米无机物复合材料的概况、性能及制造方法     

Leaning Towards Agile in 21~(st) Century

Background: During the last fifteen years there ha s been an increased drive for organisations to reduce costs. From a production po int, this has often centred on lean manufacturing and JIT waste elimination proc esses. However, in 1991, the Iaccocca Institute Bethlehem P.A commissioned a re port specifically to analyse the changing nature of the marketplace. As a result , in the following year, the Agile Manufacturing Forum was initiated and the ter m ‘agile or responsive manufacturing‘ was first intr...     

新型固体酸SO_4~(2-)MoO_3-TiO_2催化合成苹果酯

自制了一种新固体酸催化剂SO2 -4MoO3 -TiO2 ,FT -IR谱图表明 ,催化剂表面具有强酸中心 ,该催化剂对苹果酯合成的活性高 ,并得到该反应的优化条件如下 :乙酰乙酸乙酯 0 .3mol,乙二醇 0 .6mol,环己烷 30ml,催化剂 3g ,反应温度 110℃ ,反应时间 1.5h ,在此条件下 ,苹果酯产率达 90 % ,且催化剂易回收 ,具有较好的重复使用性能