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.     

The detection of superoxide anion from the reaction of oxyhemoglobin and phenylhydrazine using EPR spectroscopy

Summary The low temperature EPR spectrum of a quickly reacted mixture of oxyhemoglobin and phenylhydrazine was studied. With the use of a computer, the spectral contribution of methemoglobin in the region of g=2 was subtracted. The remaining spectrum was that of an axial free radical (g=2.00, g=2.06) having the magnetic parameters of superoxide anion. In the presence of superoxide dismutase, this axial radical was not seen, confirming that superoxide anion is indeed generated by the reaction.The portion of this investigation carried out at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine was supported in part by US Public Health Service Research Grant HL-93399 from the Heart and Lung Institute and by National Institute Contract Nol-CP-55606 to J.P. This is communication No. 378 from the Joan and Lester Avnet Institute of Molecular Biology.Predoctoral fellow in the Medical Scientist Training Program (United States Public Health Service Grant 5-TO-5-GM 01669-12) at the New York University School of Medicine.Recipient of a grant-in-aid from the New York Heart Association.     

基于Agent的农田生态细胞自动机模型

提出一种基于Agent的细胞自动机(CA)演化模型，并采用整体建模仿真的方法，对农田虫害的演化进行了模拟．它采用自底向上的建模思想，利用Agent的局部连接规则，建立复杂系统的整体模型．针对不同环境条件设定相应的仿真参数，可以得到恰当的害虫种群演化结果，有助于农田生态管理的科学决策．同时，农田虫害的管理是预测专家系统的重要应用领域，该模型与专家系统的最终集成，可以提高专家系统的预测能力．     

Morphological evolution through multiple cis-regulatory mutations at a single gene

One central, and yet unsolved, question in evolutionary biology is the relationship between the genetic variants segregating within species and the causes of morphological differences between species. The classic neo-darwinian view postulates that species differences result from the accumulation of small-effect changes at multiple loci. However, many examples support the possible role of larger abrupt changes in the expression of developmental genes in morphological evolution. Although this evidence might be considered a challenge to a neo-darwinian micromutationist view of evolution, there are currently few examples of the actual genes causing morphological differences between species. Here we examine the genetic basis of a trichome pattern difference between Drosophila species, previously shown to result from the evolution of a single gene, shavenbaby (svb), probably through cis-regulatory changes. We first identified three distinct svb enhancers from D. melanogaster driving reporter gene expression in partly overlapping patterns that together recapitulate endogenous svb expression. All three homologous enhancers from D. sechellia drive expression in modified patterns, in a direction consistent with the evolved svb expression pattern. To test the influence of these enhancers on the actual phenotypic difference, we conducted interspecific genetic mapping at a resolution sufficient to recover multiple intragenic recombinants. This functional analysis revealed that independent genetic regions upstream of svb that overlap the three identified enhancers are collectively required to generate the D. sechellia trichome pattern. Our results demonstrate that the accumulation of multiple small-effect changes at a single locus underlies the evolution of a morphological difference between species. These data support the view that alleles of large effect that distinguish species may sometimes reflect the accumulation of multiple mutations of small effect at select genes.     

两种消除Klebsiella pneumoniae重组型质粒的方法

对于工业发酵菌种肺炎克雷伯氏菌(Klebsiella pneumoniae),研究发现有两种消除其重组型质粒的有效方法,一种是连续传代培养,另一种是使用消除剂十二烷基硫酸钠(SDS)。对K.pneumoniae重组菌连续20代传代培养后,发现其质粒具有较高的消除率;而以0.2%SDS复合Ca2+处理K.pneumoniae重组菌,也能有效消除其重组型质粒,且该方法省却了反复的传代培养,能快速得到质粒消除菌,更具简便易操作性。消除了质粒的K.pneumoniae能再次接纳新的质粒,有效避免了因质粒不相容性带来的转化不成功,进而可用作宿主菌积累更多的生理性状。     

高位钻孔瓦斯抽采参数优化设计

基于采空区覆岩裂隙分布规律、覆岩裂隙瓦斯流动规律和高位钻孔抽采技术研究现状,从覆岩"竖三带"、"O"形圈和U型通风条件下采动裂隙瓦斯流动规律出发,找出高位钻孔的理论合理布置区域,指出工作面后方50m范围内覆岩裂隙发育状况是高位钻孔层位设计的关键,针对祁南煤矿32煤层的特点,结合现场采用数值模拟方法模拟不同开采速度条件下覆岩裂隙发育规律,优化设计高位钻孔的抽采参数,在34下2工作面和3410工作面的现场试验中,高位钻孔抽采浓度和抽采率得到大大提高,取得了较好的抽采效果,验证了研究的正确性。     

RAGE is a multiligand receptor of the immunoglobulin superfamily: implications for homeostasis and chronic disease

Receptor for AGE (RAGE) is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily that engages distinct classes of ligands. The biology of RAGE is driven by the settings in which these ligands accumulate, such as diabetes, inflammation, neurodegenerative disorders and tumors. In this review, we discuss the context of each of these classes of ligands, including advance glycation end-products, amyloid beta peptide and the family of beta sheet fibrils, S100/calgranulins and amphoterin. Implications for the role of these ligands interacting with RAGE in homeostasis and disease will be considered.     

非线性映象的Mann迭代的收敛性与不动点

在可度量化拓扑线性空间中，讨论一些非线性映象的不动点与Mann迭代序列的收敛性问题，在一定条件下，得到了一些新的结果，推广和发展了Khan,Ghosh及Rhoades等人的工作。     

导出矩阵与基底的正交化

给出导出矩阵的概念并利用它将Ｒｎ中任意一组基底正交化